It is 10000000% normal to be sad, mad, pissed off, angry and just plain resentful that you have been diagnosed with cancer, that you have to stay quarantined, that you don't have time to homeschool your kids or that your partner is just annoying you.
The thing is, you have the choice.
Here are some tips on how to remind yourself to embrace the bullshit and remind yourself that you are strong, beautiful and can truly "Fight Pretty" through anything that comes your way.
Use Daily Affirmations.
When I was going through cancer treatment, I was living with my mom and every week, she would write on my mirror in lipstick. Some days she wrote, "You are beautiful!" Some days, she wrote "I love you more" and other days, she wrote "You got this!" These little notes of strength helped me look in the mirror and remember who I was and that I could handle whatever came my way.
This is the beautiful Kim Angell (@kangell82) - she is truly Fighting Pretty and is MORE than enough!
Repost from Fighting Pretty Instagram.
Look at your gloves.
Hold them in your hands. Look at yourself in the mirror and say this out loud:
You are strong.
You are beautiful.
You are f*cking amazing.
You can do this.
You are Fighting Pretty!
Meet Rachel Peterson (also our frequent guest blogger) with her Fighting Pretty gloves!
Read about it.
One of my favorites is Choosing Happiness. Choosing Happiness is one of the books I have always turned to no matter what vulnerable time I was facing. I read it through my cancer journey, when I was separated and ultimately divorced and again when I was living alone and dating. I have gifted this book on to many of my friends too - some that have had fertility issues, some with postpartum depression and others going through heartbreaks. Both books are very light reads, but ultimately remind you to choose your happiness. The choice is yours.
Find the beauty in it all.
About two years after cancer treatment, I was living in Brooklyn, NY and running late to work. I had 4 blocks to get to the subway and it was snowing. I was freezing, mad, wet and late! I was feeling overwhelmed and rushed, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. It was quiet and white and beautiful. The snow was actually sparkling on the ground! There were huge snowflakes peacefully dropping to the ground.
So what? I was running late. Like no one has ever been late before?! I had cancer, damnit. I deserve to be late and it's totally FINE. I stood there for a moment and actually twirled around like a little kid. It was snowing and it was beautiful!
Sometimes, just take a moment for you. Everyone makes mistakes. Everyone has stressful things in their lives. But only you can control how you feel and your perspective on your own life. Was being late worse than going through cancer treatment. Hell no! So I took that moment, got to work late and blamed it on the subway! (haha)
Get up, get dressed and deal with it.
One of my favorite quotes is from Elizabeth Taylor below:
Pour yourself a drink, put on your favorite lipstick and pull yourself together.
- Elizabeth Taylor
And to be honest, she's right!
Sometimes, you just need to put your big girl panties on and deal with it! For me, it would likely be with a glass of wine and some hot pink lipstick. But you do you.
Do you have any tips that work for you?
If so, comment below!