When you're first told you'll be living with chronic pain, there's a strange kind of quiet that follows. It's not dramatic—no crashing cymbals or violins swelling in the background. It's more like a door silently closing behind you, and now you're on a different path. One where your body insists on speaking up even when you just want it to listen. But here’s the thing: this new script you’re handed? You still get to write the next lines.

Let Go of Old Metrics for “Good Days”

One of the first and hardest shifts you’ll have to make is redefining what it means to have a good day. You might be used to measuring your productivity or joy by how much you got done or how energetic you felt. That scale needs recalibrating.

● A successful day might just mean you stretched, ate, and had one real conversation. Let that be enough.

● Keep a journal that captures not just your pain levels, but also your moments of ease, however brief.

 ● Focus on pacing instead of pushing. Pacing isn’t weakness; it’s strategy.

Make Room for Rest That Actually Rests You

Rest isn’t just sleep anymore—it’s your full-time side hustle. When you live with chronic pain, relaxation becomes a form of treatment, not a luxury. But not all rest is restorative. You need techniques that teach your nervous system to stop bracing and actually exhale.

● Guided breathwork may sound woo-woo, but don’t knock it until you feel your shoulders drop for the first time all day.

● Some people find calm through cannabinoid support—products like THCa diamonds are being explored for their potential to help manage pain and inflammation, without the psychoactive effects of THC.

● Weighted blankets, like those from Bearaby, can provide deep-pressure stimulation that soothes the nervous system and helps ease anxiety tied to chronic pain flare-ups. It’s like giving your body permission to drop its guard.

Your Environment Should Work For You, Not Against You

Your surroundings matter more than ever now. Whether you’re at home, at work, or out in the world, you’ll need to become a little more ruthless about comfort and accessibility. That’s not indulgence—it’s survival.

● Start with small changes: a different chair, softer lighting, noise-canceling headphones. These are not luxuries.

● Keep things within reach—literally. Stop overextending just because it “only takes a second.”

● Talk to your employer or coworkers early. Don’t wait for a flare-up to start that conversation.

Don’t Let Your World Shrink—Adapt It

Pain can slowly start to convince you to opt out. Social gatherings, hobbies, even casual spontaneity might start to feel like enemies. But you don’t have to surrender to isolation—you just have to adjust how you show up.

● Say yes, but on your own terms. Bring a pillow to a concert. Leave early from dinner. That’s allowed.

● Find “low-pressure” friends who get it. The ones who won’t flinch if you cancel or need to lie down mid-hang. 

● Explore new hobbies that align with your energy, not your past identity.

Living with chronic pain is not about chasing the old version of yourself. It’s about learning to live a new story—one that holds both struggle and joy in the same hand. You’ll build routines that flex, relationships that hold, and a version of strength that doesn't look like anyone else’s. You’re not failing if your life looks different now. You’re just learning how to carry it. Discover how the Charlie E & Minnie P Hendrix Foundation is transforming lives by raising awareness and providing support for those with chronic illnesses and disabilities. Visit their website to learn more and get involved!

**Contributing Blog Post by Simone McFarlane**