Thriving. That’s fighting… Surviving is barely getting by. Sickle cell disease is not terminal, and many who have it may have fulfilling lives. This is not the end of the world; rather, it is a call to action to begin making the most of your time.
Accept That You Have It
The first step in dealing with adversity is accepting it has occurred. If you’ve been diagnosed with sickle cell disease, accepting that fact may free up your energy to be spent on treatment rather than on a cure. Mental health suffers when denial is practiced. Put an end to blaming yourself and caring what other people think by embracing your life as a warrior. It will help you feel at peace and know sickle cell is part of you.
Change Your Mindset Around The Disease
The two main schools of thought are known as the “fixed” and “growth” mindsets. One of the hallmarks of the fixed mentality is an inability to look beyond the current difficulty and an incessant need to express dissatisfaction with the current situation. There is always something to gripe about for a person with a fixed opinion.
On the other hand, a person with a growth mentality looks for solutions to fix the issue at hand rather than dwelling on it.
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Every circumstance has a silver lining. There’s always something worthwhile at the end of the tunnel of hardship. You are more than just your sickle cell. By adopting a growth mindset, you may begin exploring ways to improve yourself and find meaning amid adversity.
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Acknowledge & Embrace Your Limitations
It’s great to believe you can do everything, but you shouldn’t do everything. You are not supposed to do everything, and you are supposed to choose your battles and leave the rest.
See, choosing your struggle does not mean you are weak; you are human and wise enough to care for yourself. Everyone has limitations, and you should honor them.
You do not have to prove to anyone that you can do it if you are not physically strong enough. Accept your limitations, honor them, and ask for help whenever needed.
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Find Support
The assistance of friends and family is crucial for those who suffer from sickle cell. You can’t achieve your goals without support and encouragement.
Sickle cell disease may cause feelings of isolation and loneliness. This may be due to worries about social rejection, but it is no excuse to shut down. Professionals, other fighters, family, and reliable friends are all good resources. Simply seek your tribe.
Create A Purpose From The Pain
Don’t second-guess yourself or your capacity to transform suffering into meaning. Each of us was put on this earth for a reason. Getting anything beneficial by experiencing suffering, difficulty, and trial is possible. One of the benefits of struggles is the development of resilience.
Set Yourself Goals
Short-term and long-term goals are essential for anybody coping with sickle cell disease. These objectives are what will drive you to recover after a setback. You’ll find that this is the one thing keeping you from throwing in the towel.
A twenty-year plan is as reasonable as a three-year plan, and a day-to-day target is as reasonable as a weekly target. Use the S.M.A.R.T. acronym to guide your goal-setting. Make SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based) plans.
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Continue Seeking Knowledge About Your Disease
Never settle with what you already know. There is still a lot to learn and far more to forget. Knowledge and information are fortunately more accessible than ever in today’s world.
The brightest minds in the world always approach new information with the humility of a novice; they never pretend to be experts in everything, even if they are (no one does). Even though they already know the material, they nevertheless manage to learn. Keep an open mind and act like a beginner.
Never Down Yourself, Love Yourself
Warrior, your life improves when you learn to love yourself. Admitting your frailty and imperfection is the first step toward embracing oneself. Nothing you do will ever be flawless, and that’s OK. It’s important to learn to prioritize your happiness and health and start loving yourself. Without self-love, life is meaningless.
