Autoimmune disorders ahh... They cause us a lot of grief, angst and fear (I have one as well, IGA Nephropathy - if I get sick, I usually notice it). I'm sorry you have to deal with RA and that these changing seasons significantly impact your body. I hope that by putting these words out there, it will help you to process what you're going through.
I know there are many that struggle just with the onset of gray dark days. While there are lovely aspects to this time, there are some serious hardships in all of it too. This is a good reminder for us all to listen to our inner selves and bodies. Thinking of you, Lori.
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lori. In earlier times, I used to think my pain followed a clear seasonal transition. Nowadays, I find that my pain conditions are more closely linked to stress and temperature overall (both outside and within me). Much of what you spoke to truly resonates with me. 🙏
Jay, it seems like you’ve been a very astute observer of your own patterns and their evolution, and that’s what matters. I hope you find ways to use that information to help increase your comfort. 💚
Lori, thank you so much for your kind words. I’ve definitely been paying close attention to my patterns, trying to understand their roots and where they’ve taken me. While I’m not quite where I want to be yet, I’m well on my way, and that brings a sense of hope. Your encouragement means a lot, and I’m grateful for this space to reflect and continue growing. 💚
'My pattern comes from a self-protective part of me that wants to spare me pain.' This is so powerful. It reminds me that sometimes our 'unhelpful' patterns are actually trying to protect us, even if they end up causing more pain in the long run.
What a wonderful and gentle reminder to approach ourselves with compassion as we navigate these tricky patterns.
Thanks, Alex, for your thoughtful response. I love the word “tricky” to describe how these patterns show up. They’re complicated and sneaky and in part driven by the brain’s bias toward the short-term. But we can try to outsmart them, once we are aware of their bag of tricks.
Lori, I especially related to this notion of being "caught off guard" because it happened to me recently, too. The information I received shouldn't have surprised me, but I went in unprepared. Maybe it relates to the idea that "ignorance is bliss." But it never really is, I've found. I love how the prompts give us several angles for approaching the patterns we choose not to see. Sorry you have had to deal with this health challenge for so long! I hope your new strategy will bring you some relief when autumn arrives each year.
So sorry to hear how you've struggled with RA. Thank you for sharing this, along with tips about how we all can pay attention to changes and our own needs.
Thanks for sharing, Tonya! I hope you can make space to give yourself what you need and lean into the knowledge that this transition will eventually be being us. 💚
This is exactly what I realized about my body several years ago. Seasonal change (both in late-August-early-September and late-February-early-March) sends my system into torment. I, like you, love autumn and feel quite sad my body and my heart can’t be in sync about this. I’m starting to recover from the initial backhand of the transition now because I’ve made a strong decision to care for myself. I hope you are able to do some extra self-care as well.
Holly, I’m so sad to hear that you’re dealing with these seasonal challenges, too. There is a real grief to what you so eloquently described as your body and your heart not being in sync. I commend you for your strong decision to take care of yourself! That’s a choice that we all need to make, sometimes over and over again. 💚
Lori - I have a friend with RA, and have some idea of how it can disrupt one's life. I feel for you and regret your loss of movement and mental space. I know something of such life diminishments, as I have chronic migraine disease and must also pace myself carefully through each week. This fall has been particularly difficult for my worst migraines, though, like you, spring has typically been the worst. I am stealing your plan to make an annually recurring note in August as a reminder to allow space for recovery and pain management. Thanks for the idea. Meanwhile, I hope your pain settles soon.
Thank you for your kind wishes, Carol. Please know I’m reciprocating. It’s so hard to have to pace ourselves so diligently. I find there are always incredible temptations to push ourselves too far. Please let me know if the reminder to plan for the seasonal transition is helpful to you next fall! 💚
Ah yes, inflammation and autoimmune disease... I'm really wondering if us sensitive folks are more prone to them - I have my own chronic conditions (Graves and endometriosis)
My main pattern I'm working on now is the burnout cycle, and I've been making some good progress lately, finding the smaller patterns within the larger
Ann, thank you for sharing. I wish you didn’t know the territory of chronic conditions firsthand.
The burnout cycle is an important pattern to address, and you’re right, finding smaller patterns within the larger one is a valuable approach. I wish you many helpful discoveries! 💚
Ann, I have recently researched this very question - whether HSPs are more prone to autoimmune and chronic conditions - so if you don't mind, I'll fill you in on what I've learned.
Highly sensitive people are, as far as the research goes now, not more prone to illness and chronic conditions than less sensitive people. However, there's good evidence that, with our heightened senses and depth of processing, we feel pain more strongly than others. Our systems suffer the consequences of pain, life changes and other effects more. Additionally, and again because we're so sensitive to what's around and in us, we deal with feelings of guilt and shame because we're so aware of how others are affected by our having to cancel plans, or leave an event early. We worry about letting people down.
Thanks for sharing this, Carol! I appreciate your thoughtful and quick response. These are important variables to consider as we think about the connections between being an HSP and health challenges.
The only thing I would add is that HSPs are fortunate to also benefit more than other people from positive experiences. I try to remind myself of that and use it to my advantage.
Autoimmune disorders ahh... They cause us a lot of grief, angst and fear (I have one as well, IGA Nephropathy - if I get sick, I usually notice it). I'm sorry you have to deal with RA and that these changing seasons significantly impact your body. I hope that by putting these words out there, it will help you to process what you're going through.
I know there are many that struggle just with the onset of gray dark days. While there are lovely aspects to this time, there are some serious hardships in all of it too. This is a good reminder for us all to listen to our inner selves and bodies. Thinking of you, Lori.
Thank you for your kindness, Angela! Wishing you health and peace!
Thank you, Lori! I wish you peace and health too. We’re on this journey together 💞
Thanks for sharing your experience, Lori. In earlier times, I used to think my pain followed a clear seasonal transition. Nowadays, I find that my pain conditions are more closely linked to stress and temperature overall (both outside and within me). Much of what you spoke to truly resonates with me. 🙏
Jay, it seems like you’ve been a very astute observer of your own patterns and their evolution, and that’s what matters. I hope you find ways to use that information to help increase your comfort. 💚
Lori, thank you so much for your kind words. I’ve definitely been paying close attention to my patterns, trying to understand their roots and where they’ve taken me. While I’m not quite where I want to be yet, I’m well on my way, and that brings a sense of hope. Your encouragement means a lot, and I’m grateful for this space to reflect and continue growing. 💚
'My pattern comes from a self-protective part of me that wants to spare me pain.' This is so powerful. It reminds me that sometimes our 'unhelpful' patterns are actually trying to protect us, even if they end up causing more pain in the long run.
What a wonderful and gentle reminder to approach ourselves with compassion as we navigate these tricky patterns.
Thanks, Alex, for your thoughtful response. I love the word “tricky” to describe how these patterns show up. They’re complicated and sneaky and in part driven by the brain’s bias toward the short-term. But we can try to outsmart them, once we are aware of their bag of tricks.
I’m glad you liked that word. It felt appropriate as I was writing my comment. Thank you for a thought provoking post!
Lori, I especially related to this notion of being "caught off guard" because it happened to me recently, too. The information I received shouldn't have surprised me, but I went in unprepared. Maybe it relates to the idea that "ignorance is bliss." But it never really is, I've found. I love how the prompts give us several angles for approaching the patterns we choose not to see. Sorry you have had to deal with this health challenge for so long! I hope your new strategy will bring you some relief when autumn arrives each year.
So sorry to hear how you've struggled with RA. Thank you for sharing this, along with tips about how we all can pay attention to changes and our own needs.
I appreciate your kindness, Gail! I wish you a gentle journey through the fall. 💚
Thanks for sharing your experience Lori. Autumn is my most difficult seasonal transition. Much of what you speak to resonates with me. 🙏
Thanks for sharing, Tonya! I hope you can make space to give yourself what you need and lean into the knowledge that this transition will eventually be being us. 💚
This is exactly what I realized about my body several years ago. Seasonal change (both in late-August-early-September and late-February-early-March) sends my system into torment. I, like you, love autumn and feel quite sad my body and my heart can’t be in sync about this. I’m starting to recover from the initial backhand of the transition now because I’ve made a strong decision to care for myself. I hope you are able to do some extra self-care as well.
Holly, I’m so sad to hear that you’re dealing with these seasonal challenges, too. There is a real grief to what you so eloquently described as your body and your heart not being in sync. I commend you for your strong decision to take care of yourself! That’s a choice that we all need to make, sometimes over and over again. 💚
Lori - I have a friend with RA, and have some idea of how it can disrupt one's life. I feel for you and regret your loss of movement and mental space. I know something of such life diminishments, as I have chronic migraine disease and must also pace myself carefully through each week. This fall has been particularly difficult for my worst migraines, though, like you, spring has typically been the worst. I am stealing your plan to make an annually recurring note in August as a reminder to allow space for recovery and pain management. Thanks for the idea. Meanwhile, I hope your pain settles soon.
Thank you for your kind wishes, Carol. Please know I’m reciprocating. It’s so hard to have to pace ourselves so diligently. I find there are always incredible temptations to push ourselves too far. Please let me know if the reminder to plan for the seasonal transition is helpful to you next fall! 💚
Ah yes, inflammation and autoimmune disease... I'm really wondering if us sensitive folks are more prone to them - I have my own chronic conditions (Graves and endometriosis)
My main pattern I'm working on now is the burnout cycle, and I've been making some good progress lately, finding the smaller patterns within the larger
Ann, thank you for sharing. I wish you didn’t know the territory of chronic conditions firsthand.
The burnout cycle is an important pattern to address, and you’re right, finding smaller patterns within the larger one is a valuable approach. I wish you many helpful discoveries! 💚
Ann, I have recently researched this very question - whether HSPs are more prone to autoimmune and chronic conditions - so if you don't mind, I'll fill you in on what I've learned.
Highly sensitive people are, as far as the research goes now, not more prone to illness and chronic conditions than less sensitive people. However, there's good evidence that, with our heightened senses and depth of processing, we feel pain more strongly than others. Our systems suffer the consequences of pain, life changes and other effects more. Additionally, and again because we're so sensitive to what's around and in us, we deal with feelings of guilt and shame because we're so aware of how others are affected by our having to cancel plans, or leave an event early. We worry about letting people down.
Thanks for sharing this, Carol! I appreciate your thoughtful and quick response. These are important variables to consider as we think about the connections between being an HSP and health challenges.
The only thing I would add is that HSPs are fortunate to also benefit more than other people from positive experiences. I try to remind myself of that and use it to my advantage.
Take good care of your health, Carol! 💚