The Mighty Logo

Is a Day of Fun Worth a Few Days of Pain?

The most helpful emails in health
Browse our free newsletters

Yesterday my brother took me on an adventure! I woke up in one of those moods where I just had this need deep inside of me to go out and do something. So he and a friend took me rappelling for the first time.

I was a little nervous about going as I had never done it before. Both because walking down the side of a cliff seemed a little scary and because I didn’t know how my body would react.

 

I decided the risk would be worth the reward and I went anyways. I think an increase in pain is sometimes worth it to still be able to go out and have fun. I don’t want to let the fear of pain control my life.

So I went rappelling and it was a blast. I was so glad I went and even now, at 3:00 a.m., awake because of pain, I do not regret going. It was worth it. I did take care of myself while I was there and I only went down twice because the hike back up was really rough on my hips and knees, but I still got to go down twice and that was good enough for me. The rest of the time I was able to sit and look at the beautiful view from the top.

Although I don’t regret going at all, I don’t know if what I chose to do was “right.” It did cause a lot of pain which I’m now dealing with and will probably deal with tomorrow as well, maybe the next day. I almost passed out at one point because my heart rate went too high. Don’t worry, my feet were firmly on the ground at this point and my eyes only went a little dark. I also might have used all of the next day’s spoons because of all the energy it took. My thoughts were that it’s worth it, but one of the biggest questions I have about the chronic illness life is whether I should be listening to my body and not pushing it too hard or whether I should not let the symptoms control me and “do anything I set my mind to.”

I don’t have an answer to this. I don’t know if I ever will. Most of the time I try and play it safe and take care of myself, but sometimes I have to get out and have an adventure to keep it together. I’m 19 years old. Life is unpredictable. I want to have some fun sometimes. I think that’s OK.

How do you strike a balance in your life?

We want to hear your story. Become a Mighty contributor here.

Thinkstock photo via IPGGutenbergUKLtd.

Originally published: July 19, 2017
Want more of The Mighty?
You can find even more stories on our Home page. There, you’ll also find thoughts and questions by our community.
Take Me Home