Finding the Balance Between Self-Care and Resilience After Cancer
Finding the Balance Between Self-Care and Resilience After Cancer Curetoday.com
sdgtalks
Living with Cancer: Embracing Resilience and Personal Development
I’d lost trust in the universe and my nervous system was absolutely fried. Danger seemed to lurk in every direction, with the stakes being life or death.
Even as scan results improved and my situation appeared more stabilized, I struggled to let my guard down. Part of what I believed attributed to turning my health around was a radical lifestyle overhaul— keeping a clean diet, managing stress, getting enough sleep, all my healing regimens. Any time I stepped out of my bubble (basically my apartment), I struggled with control issues.
Eating out, I found it hard to find options in line with my diet. Being out for too long in social situations taxed my nervous system as I’d gotten rusty and lost touch with the social graces I used to feel more in step with. And thinking about going back to my old high-stress job made my stomach turn.
My support system, who’d been through the ringer with me during cancer, encouraged me to rest, recover and generally avoid situations that overexerted me. They’d gone through the ride with me — chemo, surgeries, recurrences… of course a conservative approach seemed justified!
So that’s what I stuck to for a while. It felt safe and comfortable. And after years of being poked, prodded and taking on life-or-death struggles, I felt content just being left alone. Give me a cup of coffee, a book, a movie, a little music… I was chilling!
But eventually, I realized this approach wasn’t serving me as much as I thought. At times, it even worried that I was holding myself back by overly coddling myself instead of considering alternative views — what if I did push myself to take on more? How would that work? What might come from that?
The reality was that I had already lost valuable years of my life. I was diagnosed at 30 years old and spent the better part of the decade in treatment. That’s years and years of memories and experiences I’ll never get back.
Also, while I found myself lucky to be on disability and receive so much support from friends and family, in the end it was up to me to get back on my feet and rebuild a future.
Despite the uncertainty, fear and discomfort of whatever might lie ahead, in the back of my mind, I recognized that I wanted to get back to living instead of just surviving.
Embracing Resilience and Personal Development
Today, I’m pushing my comfort zone more and prioritizing resilience in the face of tension. I’m working to recognize when my controlling tendencies are getting in the way of personal development and reminding myself to try and let go.
And when it all feels overwhelming, I try and remind myself to slow down and just take it one good decision at a time.
Baby steps, but forward motion, none-the-less.
Throwing myself into new, unfamiliar situations reintroduces more risks; I get that and it can feel scary. But it also offers the potential for much higher rewards. And at the end of the day, what have I worked so hard for if I’m not going to make the most of the remaining life that I do have?
There can still be much more to our stories after cancer. I truly believe that and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses the author’s experience with cancer and their journey towards recovery and rebuilding their life. This connects to SDG 3, which focuses on promoting good health and well-being. The article also touches upon the author’s struggle to find suitable options for their diet and the impact of their illness on their ability to work, which relates to SDG 8 and SDG 10.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
- Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
The article highlights the importance of prevention and treatment in reducing premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, aligning with Target 3.4 under SDG 3. The author’s struggle to find suitable options for their diet and the impact of their illness on their ability to work relate to Target 8.5 under SDG 8. Additionally, the author’s experience with cancer and their journey towards rebuilding their life reflects the need to promote the social and economic inclusion of individuals regardless of their health status, supporting Target 10.2 under SDG 10.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
The article primarily focuses on the author’s personal experience and reflections, rather than providing quantitative data or specific indicators related to the targets.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | No specific indicators mentioned in the article. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: curetoday.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
