A cancer diagnosis can be a devastating blow – a crisis for the person at the centre, often too for their family and loved ones. Facing a health crisis and its associated upheaval can be isolating and disconnecting, causing people to reevaluate their lives, their relationships, and their futures.
But sometimes this change in focus; looking to the future, being preoccupied, and yearning for everything that’s ahead can take away from joy and stillness in the present moment.
Sometimes the anchor we need to ground us again is reconnecting the threads of our own selves in the here and now; rediscovering the dimension of ourselves that brings joy and contentment. And sometimes, that reengagement with the present moment and the simplicity of just ‘being’ is enough to re-inject calm and value to our everyday life, even when everything else feels bleak.
While cancer changes so much about our identities, within a clinical, rigidly-structured, number-driven world, if we try to find things along the way that bring us joy, it can help to re-centre our thoughts, calm our minds and reduce our stress levels.
Research shows that ‘finding joy’ in daily life has physiological benefits, can improve our mental health by reducing anxiety and risks of depression, and is extremely important when going through a tumultuous or traumatic period.
Although the prospect of trying to ‘live in the moment’ can feel unhelpful, especially when life is so uncertain, it’s worth the effort. It doesn’t necessarily involve anything complicated… just sitting still can be incredibly centering.
There are many simple, inexpensive activities that can bring joy – gardening, drawing, painting, dancing, volunteering, knitting, reading, running, walking, watching a sunrise/sunset, reading a novel with a cup of tea… amongst others. Did you perhaps used to go bushwalking with friends? Did you enjoy doing crosswords or playing an instrument?
Activities may well have changed from those we enjoyed at a previous time of life, but they are nonetheless valuable at any age because they help you focus on nutting out something in the here and now, purely for enjoyment. Whatever they may be, it’s so important to put some time and thought into rediscovering the things that we are passionate about, that help us feel better about ourselves and enable us to get through each day with some joy.
It’s not necessarily about creating something that has purpose; it’s more about doing something now for ourselves, that gives us meaning and pleasure in the present moment.