Ever wake up, pull on your jogging shoes and think about just not running that day? Chances are not, since running is hard with a cane or crutches, or everyday pain. So chances are most of that sugary motivational stuff out there is simply not for you. Here are some more practical things most of us with a hidden illness can do!

Keep a blessings journal: I love this one because it involves shopping. Yougo out, find a great journal (try for recycled paper, handmade!) and write. I know, who can find the time to write 5 pages a day to yourself
about anything and nothing? You don’t have to. Pick a time of day that works for you- perhaps in the morning when you are waiting for your limbs to wake up more before you move, or in the evening just before you go
to bed. Once that is set, make a commitment to write everyday. Now choose a number between 5 and 10. Got it? Write that many things a day you are happy about, thankful for, or simply love about life. Don’t repeat the same things in a single week or if you are really daring, for a month. Occasionally go back and look through them when you are down. They don’t have to be big things, as life is really a sequence of small events, like warm socks fresh from the dryer, sometimes rocked by bigger things.
You’ll be surprised what this can really do for you. As an added benefit you have to stop for those few minutes and really think about your answers. It’s almost a mini-meditation on your life.
Wish upon a star: Remember when you were 4 years old and you were holding onto someone’s warm hand, eyes squinted shut and wishing so hard on a star? Why did you ever stop? Maybe instead of a star, it’s a wishing tree or you can throw a penny in a well or fountain. Whatever it is, sometimes you just need to say your dreams and hopes aloud, to something outside of yourself. It helps make them a touch more real and gives you some focus. It doesn’t hurt, but it is so much fun!
Release a balloon: Ever do this as a kid? Put down your name and your school’s address as a class project and release the balloons to see if you get any back and see where they ended up? You can do this for some personal release, too. I wouldn’t recommend putting your name and address on them, for safety concerns, but typing up some of the things wrong in your life, some of your frustrations will be a good start. Maybe you are simply too upset to put it into words and you paint a picture. However you express the frustrations, fears and anger, roll it up. Go ahead and roll it up. Tie a latex balloon or two to it. (DO NOT use Mylar. In many places it’s not only illegal, but in all places it can cause major damages to electrical lines and other things.) And stare at that balloon, really focus on it. See your emotions trapped in it and on that string and then, let it go. Don’t go away, but watch it shrink into the distance. Wave goodbye. Take a deep breath and when it’s gone… let go of what was the issue. I wouldn’t recommend doing this too often for obvious reasons that you don’t want a million balloons laying
somewhere, but once in awhile it’s really helpful and cathartic.
Start an on line journal: Okay so you can squeeze what amounts into another e-mail’s worth of typing into your day, but how does this help? Ever hear of www.myspace.com, www.livejournal.com or www.opendiary.com ? These are great places to sit down and write a bit and then get feedback from other readers. If you really have time you can find “friends” and read their diaries, too. Many of these sites even have interests or groups you can join for things like Lupus, Crones and FMS. You might one day look back through entries and realize once you have it out there, you forgot it, because you let go and got it outside of yourself.
Pick a goal: Any goal will do. You know your limits and aspirations. Pick one you’d like to focus on now. Maybe it’s losing ten pounds in a month or maybe you decide to work on your bedtime hygiene. Possibly you resolve not to eat junk food for the next week. Whatever you choose, chart it. You heard me, go buy some bright orange poster board and start a chart. You can even get little stars to mark your progress, just like in grade school! Just break your goal into steps. For instance if you choose weight loss, you chart exercise and healthy eating habits. If you choose to break a bad habit of some sort, you list and chart the positive things you do instead of
that habit. At the end, have a reward. It could be a piece of chocolate cake or a trip to the movies. The possibilities are limitless. It’s funny how great it is to check off things you’ve done, stare at the big picture and pat yourself on the back. Once you are done, you can move your focus to a new goal.
Find a buddy: Runners have buddies who help kick their butt when they don’t want to get up and run one day. You can have an illness buddy. No I am not crazy, but think about this, it’s really not so different. Find someone
who is also sick, as they will understand things more fully. It doesn’t have to be the same illness as yours. Connect and build a bond and then get to motivating. Maybe they will push you to get up that morning and get dressed. Maybe you push them to try that new medication they’ve been scared to try. Maybe you simply check in with each other and vent once a week. They can be anything you need them to be.
Find a hobby: Scrap-booking, yoga, cooking, collections, anything! How is this motivational?… Because it gets you through. You look forward to doing something and will gladly do what you need to, to get back to doing the
things you love. It gives you something to look to and focus on. It brings you joy and might motivate you to get dressed or keep moving.
Focus on the end: This is one I use a lot!!! When I have to do something or go through something I’m scared about or hate to do, I focus on the feeling of putting my head on my pillow that night and knowing I will look back
at this and be glad it’s over. I’ve even imagined this scenario, days in advance. I know it sounds so very silly, but it really does work. Also, it’s a bit more functional then simply saying to yourself, “This too shall pass”, but it really has the same message.
Article submitted by: Jennifer Altherr, Butyoudontlooksick.com, © 2006