I have a reoccurring nightmare that leaves me sad for hours after. It doesn't cause panic but it does ruin my day even though I have tried to handle it with attitude and perception.
In this nightmare, and it varies but the theme is always the same, I am healthy again. I am doing all the things I used to be able to do. Run, ski, climb my lovely mountains, ride my bike for hours, build things. Some times I'm on top a mountain, sometimes I'm touring. Then I awake and here I am, older, tired and in pain a fair bit of the time but worse, is the lack of range of motion movement keeps me from doing so many things. Attitude should let me enjoy the fact I used to do these things. Attitude should let me remember that I still have a good life even if some days it is with the help of Tylenol on top of the other meds. Perception should allow me to see that this is a normal process just a bit early for me. Perception should let me accept that I'm still alive and compared to some have a good life. (and it is going to get better)
But some days it sneaks up on me.
So when I am saying this or that works and you are saying easy for you to say I want you to know that some days it is just as difficult for me. Difference is I remember the alternative so I have the incentive to put in the effort. Time is ticking away, I can't wait for something to go away that I know never will without my help.
As for the nightmare, I am trying to look at it positively and expand and remember all those things I used to do. I'm trying to look at them as past pleasures not as loss.
Davit. Just venting :-)