Day 25 Getting slack has consequences

[ProdigyCrab]

I've been super busy with a critical deadline so have been putting off these recovery program exercises, reading TMS related books, all the things that I had made part of my daily routine in my first few weeks, and the effects are showing. Yes, I'm also at the desk a lot more - doing the activity that causes me pain, but I genuinely think my rise in pain levels is more about the stress of the deadline and that I've been letting the related negativity creep back in without addressing it.
Something that is a little encouraging though is that I'm even able to work a solid 8 hrs and not be in crippling pain by the end of the day, so I can tell despite everything that I've made progress.

I also know that this is only temporary, in a couple weeks I'll get back into my daily routine of setting aside time for my recovery, but I guess now I know what happens when I'm not making a conscious effort to be better. I'm curious if those that are pain-free still have to make those efforts (daily reminders, catching negative thoughts etc), or at that point have their default thought patterns changed so it's no longer even a consideration?

 

[Adam Coloretti (coach)]

I'm curious if those that are pain-free still have to make those efforts (daily reminders, catching negative thoughts etc), or at that point have their default thought patterns changed so it's no longer even a consideration?

I do so just for mental health/inner work purposes, but it's got nothing to do with symptoms. There's no thoughts about them that need to be fought.

I wanted to say too that the work is important (and this isn't to give you an out), but don't be too hard on yourself or get down because this work also seeps into your subconscious as time goes on (without you having to do anything). As you said you've made progress, and even recognising that is "the work" because that adds to your belief in the TMS diagnosis as well as the efficacy of the program. Also, you being able to link your stress to the symptoms instead of what you're doing physically is a massive part of "the work", so well done

 

[BloodMoon]

I wanted to say too that the work is important (and this isn't to give you an out), but don't be too hard on yourself or get down because this work also seeps into your subconscious as time goes on (without you having to do anything).

So true! From my own experience too, this is definitely what happens, @ProdigyCrab. @Ellen was also saying about this a little while back—she described it as ‘percolating’ (I loved that imagery!) into your subconscious.

And the thing I’d add is that everything to do with ‘the work’ can become a good habit over time, gradually nudging out old ‘bad’ habits like perfectionism or people-pleasing (or whatever). The neuroplastic connections for those older patterns can weaken (even if they don’t fully disappear), while the newer ones become more dominant. It’s okay to take breaks from doing ‘the work’—even doing something a few times builds knowledge and understanding, and that’s still progress.

I’d also gently suggest moving away from any ‘all or nothing’ thinking. For example, you don’t have to do half an hour of journaling or meditation—you could just do 5 minutes, or even less, and that’s still helpful. Because it feels more manageable, you might find yourself doing it more consistently. It’s a case of ‘little and often’—what I like to call ‘baby steps’.

With habit-building and that ‘percolation’, you’re gradually changing how you relate to things, often without even realising it. With mind-body/TMS recovery, you’re not working on the symptoms—you’re changing how you relate to yourself and the world (which in turn can allow the brain to gradually dial down and switch off the symptoms it creates). Over time, you may find you don’t have to consciously think about doing ‘the work’ at all—the meditation, journaling, etc., just become part of your life.

 

[ProdigyCrab]

Thanks both for the advice! I'm glad to hear that this kind of brain training is going to make deep and lasting changes.
@BloodMoon I like the idea of just doing something each day even if small, because yes when I'm particularly busy and strapped for time I've just not done any TMS exercises knowing that it'll take up half an hour of my morning. Which I'm sure people will say "what's ultimately more important?", but I really don't want "the work" to feel like work and become something of a chore.

 

[BloodMoon]

Which I'm sure people will say "what's ultimately more important?", but I really don't want "the work" to feel like work and become something of a chore.

Yes, in a way it is more important—but real life has a habit of getting in the way with its obligations and the unexpected. I’ve gone from being bedridden (for over 18 months) and housebound for years (I came to mind-body/TMS work quite late) to functioning pretty normally by comparison, and I’ve done that by taking everything in ‘baby steps’.

Like you say, when ‘the work’ starts to feel like a chore, it can become counterproductive—it just adds to the pressure and resistance. There’s a supermarket chain in the UK with the slogan “Every little helps”, and with mind-body/TMS work that really does apply.