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Hi!

Acceptance of pain is really hard, and I'm sure for some people it is harder than others. I'm not saying that to discourage you, but to affirm that you're really, really trying.

I have a few ideas for you - I hope something here helps you. In my journey I feel like I am just picking up little helpful pieces along the way. The more I pick up, the more it starts to come together.

1) If you have the ability to access podcasts, try listening to the podcast "Tara Brach". She is a psychologist and meditator. The podcast has MANY episodes and I have started listening to them from the beginning. The first five or so episodes have been just filled with wisdom relevant to people struggling with TMS. They even address the practice of acceptance specifically. I would really, really recommend trying to listen to a few all the way through, and see if anything feels useful to you. They are long, but so valuable that I make chunks of time to listen to them on the train on the way to work, or while I'm making food.

2) Google Vidyamala Burch and find some interviews with her. She also has excellent insight into using mindfulness to alleviate chronic pain.

3) Meditation has been one of my major breakthroughs. There are so many different ways to meditate that there is bound to be something that can help you. Be patient with yourself, try different techniques, and be willing to try again later if you feel too frustrated. If you're not familiar with meditation, I really recommend trying the app InsightTimer. You can also just start poking around YouTube to try different guided meditations. I think body scans are a good technique to start with for people with physical pain-- it's where I started.

4) If you aren't already, and have the ability to do so, start talking with a therapist for extra support. You're trying to do some very hard work.