Kris,
maybe it is time to get into something that makes you excited again about getting up. Like a hobby it does not have to be physical it could be tinkering around with electronics or making something with wood that is not very labor extensive.

My FIl Makes bird houses he paints them and stuff well he used to but my hubby he likes to tinker around with the birds we have he doesnt have CP but it is some kind of hobby.

Even collecting and selling stuff like odd things people love that stuff and it can give you a high to find interesting stuff.

I know this is sort of morbid but some people will put together skeletons of animals.

Sorry I am trying to think of guy things that is not to much to do but you can sit and do.

You got to do something for yourself something that is just yours. I like to do crafts and sewing it keeps my mind busy with all the math and it gets my creative juices flowing to where I love to wake up to know I can do stuff like that.

I signed up to volunteer at the hospital near me, to read to kids in the cancer ward. Trust me I am full of ideas to pass my time, but is it wrong to miss what i had?

I used to be someone important, when i spoke people listened, and now I feel like i live the same day over and over again...

I swear im just waiting to hear the radio say.....Its groundhog day........!

sorry, you're feeling that way today. we were talking about that the other day in the acceptance thread - some days, you go back a to those feelings.
i do agree with manny that developing or re-discovering hobbies really helps.
also i find reading uplifting stories like chicken soup helps my frame of mind.
or just let yourself mourn and think about the good memories.
hope this passes soon.

There's nothing wrong with missing what we had in our previous life. The problem is when we get stuck there. Then it prevents us from living in the moment. But feeling our frustrations and grief is good. Shutting them out is not healthy. Feel them, then move on to enjoy the day. That's my philosophy.
I hope this helps,
Ama

I know how you feel, weary... what i do no matter how bad i feel is to get outside especially on the sunny days. even if it is snowing I get outside, if only for 15 minutes, I almost always feel a little better.

Good Luck and peace to you
Michael

Ama, I so agree that we can't get stuck there but it is so normal to miss what was taken from us including our youth or feeling our age.
I was injured at age 31, lost my career & have had CP from RSD ever since.
I too miss my youth, the carefree days when I could take for granted that I was just healthy but I too have found other things to do with my time; unfortunately most of that has gone to helping my aging family but at least being disabled allows me the time to help.
It never hurts to remember our previous life before CP & all the dreams we had & could've accomplished but it's time to make new ones & count the blessing we do have vs all that was taken away.
Almost 13yrs later, I know I am very blessed but I too miss the good ole days
Stay positive as possible Chris,
Rhonda, IN

When I miss the "good old days" I realize that even without the injuries I wouldn't be that person today. I'm 46 and will never be 25 again. When you put it in that perspective it still sucks, cause I want to be 25, but at least I don't blame it on the chronic pain.

First I totally understand how you feel.

Just the other day, I looked at my hobby room and thought, "I wish this place was neat so I could really enjoy myself."
In the kitchen, I realized that something else would be much easier if I just spent some time straightening.

Sadly, each thought was accompanied by the knowledge of exactly how much pain I would have to struggle thru each stop of the way.
I did NOTHING that day.

But while I sat awake in bed, I wrote down smaller steps to accomplish the task. I paid special attention to making sure that I could find places to quit along the way and leave each space such that it could be used for weeks to months without another step accomplished.

Then I did one thing.
They I did one more.

I'd love to go back to the days when I could just decide what to do in the morning and have it finished at the end of the day. But that is just not my reality anymore.
It is sade and lonely.

No, Kris, it's not wrong to miss the way things used to be. It's perfectly normal. I think it's a cycle...we feel that way for a season, then somewhat get over it, and it comes back again.

What you'll be doing for those kids will be life-changing for them, their parents, and you! You will be so blessed by giving to those in such a desperate place.

Since I've been "down" with chronic pain, I've told God that I don't want to "waste it." I want it to be used for good. Now think about it...if you were still working and busy with life, would you have the time or inclination to read to those children?

I'm just saying that I've been blessed so much by giving to others in pain either with words, prayers, or whatever they may need.

God bless you, Friend! Elizabeth

I miss it too!
So what is a smart person to do>

Kris everyday is groundhog day to me too, lol.

You have a wonderful gift for words you need to be writing. I always look for your post here. Even with all the adversity in your life you always have a great sense of humor.

Spring is right around the corner so we can both get outside more even if it's just to sit and watch the kids or getting some sun it'll be something different to do. I'd really like to see you write a novel. And your life story would help others survive. So start writing!!!

Healing hugs,
Marci