So yesterday was the official start of football season in our house. I think it technically started last Thursday, but we only watch the games when one of our teams is playing. We have a divided household (I’m a Panthers fan, hubby’s a Giants fan) so when either team is playing, you can find us in front of the TV rooting for whoever’s team is playing. It only gets ugly if they play each other. 😂
Whenever we have a game, I make some kind of snacks. Yesterday it was simple — I put some wings in the air fryer then tossed them in sauce when they came out, and made cold spinach dip with veggies. Sometimes I cook something that’s a little more labor-intensive, but it’s not really what we’re eating or even the football game that’s important. What’s important is that we’re able to spend some time together doing something we both enjoy.
When I was first diagnosed with fibromyalgia, I mourned all the things we used to do, and fought hard against not being able to do some of them. My husband and I were both very active and spent a lot of time doing things outdoors. When I started experiencing the temperature regulation problems that sometimes come with fibromyalgia, I couldn’t spend as much time outside even if the pain would allow me to, and that really curtailed our fun. No more hiking, bike rides, etc….
It was easy to get discouraged if I thought about everything I’d lost, but I realized that I could still make sure we had a good time together. We just had to find some less-strenuous activities we could both enjoy.
Living with pain every single day does take its toll, and we may start to think that we can’t have fun anymore, but we don’t have to give up on it; we may just have to find new things that bring us enjoyment. They also don’t have to be big things — sometimes it’s easy to think if we can’t do something major we can’t do anything at all. That’s definitely not true. We just have to change the way we look at things we do and find something that brings us joy.
Sometimes it’s as simple as putting our own spin on a regular activity, like with our football games. We could just watch the game, but sitting together eating snacks and discussing the plays (and the bad calls) adds an element of fun to it. It makes us feel like we’re doing something a little special instead of just watching TV.
Sometimes though, we may find a completely new activity we can enjoy; something we never would have found if we didn’t have our physical limitations. Many people find new creative outlets, or learn new games, or even take up *gasp!* blogging.
Regardless of what we choose to do, it’s important to have fun. When things get really tough, if we can hang on to our sense of humor and find ways to have fun, we’re much more prepared to handle the hard stuff.
Do you have any ordinary things you’ve put your own special spin on to make them more interesting or fun? How about new activities you’ve found you enjoy since you’ve become ill? What simple things bring you joy? Please share!
Blessings,
~Terri
I enjoyed the post. Watching sport is never fun when everyone is on the same team.
Thank you Frank! We definitely have some “lively discussions” when our teams play each other! Of course, even when we’re rooting for the same team we end up yelling at stupid plays or bad calls by the refs….
Having fun is important. Love this post.
Thanks so much V.J.! Luckily my husband and I are both goofballs so we can have fun doing pretty much anything.😄
That is so great!
Love your adorable dogs Terri. You make a very, very important point, you must find something that you find fun……….it keeps you going through all the other crap!
Thanks Wendi! Those little guys are spoiled rotten.😄 You’re so right about the fun keeping us going through all the other “crap.” Hugs to you!
and hugs to you right back!
<3 this! We all have to find joy in the little things. 🙂
Thanks so much Cynthia! Sometimes with chronic illness, the little things are the most important.😊
This follows so nicely from my post on focusing on what we can do, not what we can’t – “we may just have to find new things that bring us enjoyment”. Another fantastic post, Terri. Chicken wings in the air fryer sound amazing by the way… I need to try something like that as I only ever do chips in mine. Do you use frozen chicken? A bit off topic but I thought I’d ask 🙂
Caz xx
Thanks so much Caz! You probably put the idea in my head for this post.😊 I haven’t tried frozen chicken, though when I’ve bought too many fresh, I’ve frozen the rest of them, raw. The next time I just took them out and thawed them, popped them in the fryer and they turned out great. The wings and fries are about the only thing I use mine for so far.
I can’t tell you what a difference it makes being surrounded by people of like minds. So we find something else to do, or another way to try it. So glad to have found this community!
I agree 100% Grace! I love this community of people. I feel very blessed to be part of such a positive (but realistic) tribe. I’m really glad you’re part of it!
Well, if you can make all that good looking food for football? You must be doing OK! LOL. Thanks for stopping by my blog!
I am excited too that football season is here! GO Oregon DUCKS! And Go Sea Hawks!!
Funny, since I am co-writing a former NFL pros memoir right now…I should be saying; GO Broncos! But I just can’t do it…LOL.
Cat
Thanks so much Cat! I’m glad I found a fellow football fan. The Sea Hawks are a class act. That’s funny that you’re co-writing the memoir but just can’t root for the Broncos.😊 Thanks for stopping by, and good luck to your teams!
My wife has interstitial cystitis and the picture of your food has me wishing for the “good old days.” I have a hard time eating “normally” when she is limited. Glad you have found “simple goods” of life.
Thanks Don! It’s wonderful that you support your wife by sharing her diet. I know it’s not always easy following a special plan. I’m finding that the older I get, the more important the simple joys become.😊
Great post as usual Terri 🙂 x
Thanks so much Bar! I appreciate your kind words!
Reblogged this on Dream Big, Dream Often.
Thanks so much Danny- I appreciate it!