Pity Party over….

I am pleased to report that I am in a much better frame of mind tonight. I have been to the gym and had a good workout and managed to do my whole programme with not too much trouble.

I think last night I was just over tired and this impacted my mood. That said, I think any of us with this condition – and also those who may move into the role of ‘carer’ – is entitled to feel a little bit pissed off with the hand they have been dealt from time to time. The thing is, I think, to be honest about those feelings when they come. Not only to ourselves but to others. To have strategies to use to recover and to have agreements in a relationship as to what you might need your partner or other support person to do.

Some of us may want a hug, a cuddle, to talk things out. Others may need space to work through their emotions on their own. It is important that we communicate our needs to those that support us. Let them know if we need a hug, or space or chocolate!! Communication is always the key. If we don’t learn to communicate in all this, then things are going to get real sticky, real quick. How can anyone get it right if we don’t tell them what ‘right’ looks like? And, what is right for tonight, may be oh so wrong tomorrow.

I mostly write from the perspective of a person with Parkinson’s, which of course I am. But, I also want to recognise those that support us. Equally, they have their own pressures and expectations of how they might expect to be able to support us but they also need support themselves. I try to give my husband space when he needs it and I hope he will always tell me when he does. For him, I know being able to spend some time doing his own thing is important. If I took that from him, his life would be even more challenging than it is already, just being my husband! Let alone, being the husband of a person with Parkinson’s!

So, I’ve packed up the Pity Party and am focussing on being positive once more. Doing what I need to do and being present in the here and now. I want to have a good life and that means celebrating the good things in life and not letting the ‘Negative Nellies’ get me too often!