From Chronic Pain to Passion

Pain is a danger signal that’s triggered by fear. And when we’re in the beginning stages of healing from chronic pain, there are lots of things that can feel scary! Things like…⁠ ⁠

• What if this healing stuff doesn’t work and I’ll be disappointed?⁠
• What if it DOES work and I have to find a new identity outside of being in pain… or I have nothing left standing in the way of me going after the things I want in life… or no more built-in boundaries that protect me from spending time with people who make me want to explode with anger?⁠
• What if, what if, what if…⁠ ⁠

When we start our healing path, we’re going into the unknown. That in itself can be scary.⁠

And when we experience fear, we not only experience pain flares… but we clutch onto things tightly out of fear:⁠ ⁠

• We hold on very tightly to our “lows.” When we experience a pain flare, we catastrophize with thoughts like, “this healing work isn’t working! I’m back at square one!”⁠ ⁠
• We also hold on very tightly to our “highs!” When we experience pain remission, we put pressure on our healing with thoughts like, “I better not ever have another pain flare again! This has to be the end of pain forever… or else that would mean I’m back at square one!”

If you recognize yourself in any of this, please don’t judge yourself. This is normal. So normal! It’s an intrinsic part of the journey. It’s a right of passage along the way from fear to freedom.⁠

And now that you know this, you can remember it the next time you find yourself holding on tightly to a high or a low: Holding on tightly is totally normal! AND, things will get gentler over time. You’re doing just fine and you’re exactly where you need to be in the process.⁠

Sending tons of warmth your way,

💖Anna

➡️ If you need support with chronic pain and anxiety, take my FREE QUIZ called “Why the *bleep* am I still in pain?!” so I can help you get some clarity.

And follow me on instagram for healing tips, inspiration and encouragement.