Oct 26, 2026 · theme of the week: comfort
Mental Monday - Edition 43
| Mental monday |
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| “You will lose friends, you will lose lovers, you will lose comfort, but if in losing them you find yourself, you have gained more than kings.” - Marcus Aurelius |
| theme of the week: comfort |
| Early in my cancer treatment, my body was severely weak. Nurses and doctors gave us verbal and written precautions around food, drink, travel, crowds, rest, and daily routines. Fellow survivors also shared their experiences and recommendations for protecting their immune systems. |
| I approached it the way I had approached being an athlete: with discipline. I followed the precautions carefully, every day. They gave me a sense of safety during a time when very little felt secure. |
| But some people around me questioned those precautions, or ignored the needs I had expressed. Others distanced themselves because our beliefs differed. |
| Alongside the consequences of cancer treatment, these situations left me feeling guilty and uncomfortable. I remember wanting to apologize and retract my needs just to restore the peace. |
| Before cancer, I probably would have. I would usually avoid the tension or try to get back on someone’s good side, even when I disagreed with them. |
| This time, I didn’t. |
| You might recognize this in your own life: taking on more work because you feel guilty saying no, or keeping an opinion to yourself because you fear someone’s reaction. |
| I was beginning to recognize that doing what was right for me could leave someone else unhappy. And that what they chose to do with that unhappiness was out of my control. |
| Holding my ground was uncomfortable. Looking back, I would make the same choice every time. |
| Honouring ourselves also requires honest reflection. We need to consider whether what we are proposing is reasonable and proportionate to the situation, while remaining open to how our choices affect others. In my situation, I believed my precautions were appropriate for the risks I was facing. I trust that you, too, have the judgement to recognize what is best for you and navigate your own circumstances thoughtfully, with respect for yourself and others. |
| That experience changed how I understood comfort. I had been so used to finding it in other people’s approval. Honouring my own needs meant sitting with some discomfort, but over time, it gave me a deeper sense of peace and comfort than I ever had before! |
| Happy Monday, everyone! |
| Stay strong, even when you are not. It’s okay, you are not alone. |
| Love always, |
| Michael Argyrides |
| Book a free consult |
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