Balancing Acts: Navigating Cancer as a (recovering) Overachiever

Oooof – the journey continues, more challenging than this “I got this” girl could have imagined.  Truth be told, I question whether I’ve truly got a handle on any of “this”.

While inspiration has eluded me lately (it’s been a minute!), I remain profoundly grateful for the unwavering support surrounding me - cards, food, visits, texts - every form of encouragement and care sustains me.  Thank you, no, really, thank you!

When achievement has long been a defining aspect of your life (and you often mistakenly equate it with your self-worth), navigating this journey becomes even more complex.

Currently, I find myself:

• A marathoner for whom climbing a flight of stairs feels like a herculean event

• A chef who can barely toast a piece of bread and is never hungry

• An entrepreneur side-lined

Yes, this is temporary, though it often feels otherwise.  “Who am I?” is a question I grapple with frequently.  What tools in my backpack can serve me now?  How would I support someone else going through this?  Some days, I have no answers; other days, I catch glimpses of a new perspective.

Ahhh – there is beauty and peace in leaning in, working with everything happening to for me.  Simple reframes help: I now imagine thousands of tiny minions (they are pink and purple) in my chemo fluids, each with one job—to enter, capture a cancer cell, and remove it from my body.  Gentle mantras and letting go have become integral as I seek balance and restorative energy.

 If I’m not the marathoner, chef, entrepreneur…then who the hell am I?

 With the support of colleagues, coaches and my own bits of wisdom, I am:

• A woman who fuels thriving

And I do that by:

• Accepting what is (which does NOT mean enjoying it!)

• Learning to ask for and receive what I need

• Finding self-compassion and grace along the journey (I am doing something every minute of every day: healing!)

• Laughing with joy whenever possible

 Did you know that thriving is the spiritual expansion of over-achieving?  What a perfect mindset shift. 

 Onward!