Survival
Whether you have cycled through the grieving process with ease or with much difficulty, you are now heading into the survival mode of healing, the take-charge and empowered way of life. You recognize that there is light at the end of the tunnel and you can now reflect on certain principles that may have helped you in your own healing process.
First, recognizing behaviors that may hinder the healing process is one way that will help you stay on track on the road of healing and peace. Behaviors that do not foster the healing process include:
Avoiding or minimizing your emotions
Use of excessive alcohol or drugs to self-medicate
Losing yourself in work, whether a job, a hobby, or anything that occupies your time and energy so as to avoid dealing with your feelings
Survival tips that promote the healing process include:
Give yourself time to experience your thoughts and feelings openly to yourself.
Accept and acknowledge both positive and negative feelings.
Journal your feelings to give clarity to them as you heal.
Express your feelings openly to a trusted friend to share the significance of the losses in your life.
Allow yourself the privilege of crying. It is a release that can free you of the overwhelming feelings that occur in the healing process.
Reflect on your life and any unresolved business and try to come to a place of peace.
Make a gratitude list of all that you have in your life to be thankful for.
Participate in a breast cancer support group to share your experiences with others who understand.
Seek professional help if you find that you are stuck and feeling too overwhelmed.
