Tis the season of Halloween tricks and treats. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to ask yourself: Are you tricking yourself into believing you’re okay, or are you treating yourself to real self-care?
We’ve ghosted our health issues and other out-of-nowhere realities because they scare us. And, spookily enough, not acknowledging the fear only generates more fear.
It’s easy to trick ourselves into believing that pain or a physical struggle is nothing to worry about. So, we accept and justify concerns by choosing to believe only what doesn’t scare us—avoiding real issues altogether.
Here are some suggestions that may help. See a doctor. Share your concerns with trusted family members or friends. Acknowledge, record, and monitor abnormal physical, mental, or psychological changes daily. Note why they concern you. This information will help when you visit the doctor or share it with others.
You’d be surprised by how many people share the same fear you do. Who knows, a family member or friend may have experienced your symptoms and can offer advice or direction. Most importantly, get a doctor’s advice. And if the doctor says everything is okay and brushes off your symptoms as “normal aging,” get a new doctor.
Don’t live with the anxiety of your fears. Grab the reins and treat yourself to a great life. It’s time to take charge with strength, self-confidence, and self-awareness—and a clear understanding of your health.
This is what treating yourself looks like: living healthy, living fully, walking in healing sunshine, turning negative energy into positive fuel, using forgiveness as both your shield and your shelter, and knowing what your life requires, what you desire, and what is necessary to sustain both.
Aging can come with plenty of treats, and unfortunately, just as many tricks. Lavish yourself with treats while avoiding and learning from the tricks. And that’s successful aging!