Living with chronic pain can often mean facing unforeseen challenges every day. If you’ve been struggling with chronic pain, it’s understandable that you might feel like you can’t truly be yourself because of your condition. It may seem like you have to figure out a “cure” before you can truly live your life and be who you are.

Alternatively, you might feel like you have no choice but to give up on living authentically or building a life you truly love because there is no true cure for your chronic pain. Often, you feel as though you’re wearing a mask that creates a barrier between yourself and the wider world.

A shift in perspective can make a world of difference. Here are a few steps you can take towards living an authentic life despite chronic pain.

Letting Go of Shame

First, working on letting go of shame around chronic pain is crucial. You might feel like you should be “pushing” yourself harder. You may be tired of trying to validate yourself for people who insist that your pain is all in your head.

Chronic pain is not a moral failing. Unfortunately, our culture and society promote the idea that illness and weakness are personal failings that are up to an individual to fix on their own. This is not true.

Releasing these internalized beliefs can take time and effort. Identify the beliefs you hold about your chronic pain that are no longer serving you. Additionally, consider whether some of these beliefs are rooted in societal myths.

Be Clear About Your Needs

When you try to ignore your own needs in regards to managing or alleviating your pain, you signal to yourself that you do not deserve to be truly comfortable. This can be a sign of low self-worth. You might feel like you aren’t worthy of having your needs met.

Therefore, you don’t ask for what you need and put other people first instead. But when you speak up about your needs, you can influence situations and environments so that your needs are accounted for. This allows you to function at your highest potential.

Respect Your Energy Levels

Maybe you’ve tried to force yourself to operate at the same productivity levels as “everybody else.” This may have led to burnout in the past. It may have even worsened your chronic pain symptoms in the long run. Think about how you can connect with your loved ones, engage in your hobbies, and work towards your goals without risking burnout. This could include asking friends to visit you rather than going out, taking classes from home, or giving yourself longer timelines to achieve your goals.

Create a Comfortable Environment

Ensuring that your environment meets your needs can make a huge difference in your quality of life and boost your energy levels. This could mean investing in supportive furniture to avoid muscle and joint pains.

It could include adjusting the temperature or lighting in your home, or rearranging your room so that any medical equipment you need is always within easy reach. Moving to an area where the climate does not exacerbate your symptoms could even be an option.

Expanding Your Self-Perception Beyond Chronic Pain

You are more than your chronic pain. But when your symptoms are severe, it can be hard to remember everything else that makes you “you.” You may not feel like you have the confidence to assert yourself or find out who are beyond pain. If you’re struggling to speak up about your needs, a therapist can help you set boundaries and discover your true self.

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Are you struggling to build a life based on authenticity because you’re dealing with chronic pain? A therapist can help you learn how to honor your true self while meeting your physical needs. Reach out to us today to discuss scheduling your first appointment for women’s or men’s counseling.