So, first some positive personal news from me, at my regular meeting with my Oncologist this week, we reviewed my case and the number of cycles they feel is appropriate for my “insurance” chemo has been reduced from 8 to 4.
As I have already done 2 and the 3rd is about to start, that means I will be finished with chemo in early August rather than late October, so in about five weeks rather than four months!
Yay!
Now, a simple thought around compartmentalising. It has been two days since I got this news, and yet I am still processing the fact that life can go back to normal.
Those who know me well know that I live a life full of energy and activity, hence chemo and slowing down to a very low and sick/fatigued level was a real change!
I can now start planning a full level of activity from mid-August, including vacations and work (such as typical work of group coaching client strategy retreats in that “season” of September to November.
And yet….though it is only two days, it is interesting that I haven’t yet “connected” to this shift in my reality.
I had “compartmentalised” life, had “put in a box” that things like trips, vacations, and certain types of work would simply not happen until towards the end of this year or early 2023. At a psychological level, we compartmentalise as a shield, a way to create a mental defence, to make it easier to get through our current situation when things are tough.
As an example, elite athletes, on completing their event, and even if they win it, often feel neutral or even flat energy for days or weeks afterwards. They had focussed so hard on this one thing for so long, often sacrificing all else, that it is not a matter of “flicking a switch” to release that focus and reconnect to life before that laser-like focus period.
My mind will soon release to recognise that life will open up for me in five weeks, but it hasn’t yet. Perhaps part of that is that I do still have two chemo cycles to go and that will, again, be tough.
Now, for you, give some thought to where and when you compartmentalise, and also now it serves you.