The Good Days
When you have been ill for a long time, the good days start to mean something different.
You wake up and notice that something has changed.
Your body feels a little lighter.
Your mind is working.
There is energy.
Suddenly, things that normally require planning almost happen by themselves.
And it can feel amazing.
When Your Body Says Yes
A good day does not have to be a big day.
It can be going for a walk.
Going somewhere.
Seeing someone.
Spending time with your animals.
Cooking something you enjoy.
Standing outside for a while and feeling the sun.
Or simply getting through an ordinary day without your body constantly demanding your attention.
Things you once did without thinking can suddenly feel significant.
Not because the thing itself has changed.
But because you know what it is like when you cannot do it.
And Then You Want to Do Everything
It happens easily.
You have had several bad days.
The laundry is waiting.
Things need to be done around the house.
Someone needs to be called.
Something has been put off.
And now, finally, there is energy.
It is tempting to try to catch up with your entire life before lunch.
A good day quickly turns into a workday.
All the boring things that have been waiting suddenly get first claim on the little bit of freedom your body has given back.
But maybe every good day does not have to be spent catching up.
Your Energy Can Be Used for Living Too
It is easy to think that the necessary things have to come first.
The cleaning.
The laundry.
The errands.
Everything you have fallen behind on.
And of course, everyday life still has to work.
But if all your extra energy always goes to things you have to do, there is not much left for the things you have actually missed.
A walk.
Someone you care about.
Your animals.
Nature.
Something fun.
Something completely unnecessary.
Something that simply makes a good day feel like a good day.
A Good Day Does Not Have to Prove Anything
When you suddenly have more energy, you may want to test your body.
How much can I do now?
A little more.
And a little more.
And while you are at it, you might as well do that other thing too.
But a good day does not have to be a test.
You do not have to use every bit of energy just because it happens to be there.
You are allowed to stop while the day is still good.
When a Good Day Is Followed by a Bad One
It can be frustrating.
Yesterday your body worked.
Today it does not.
It is easy to start questioning yesterday's body or today's.
But both days are real.
What you managed yesterday happened.
What you cannot manage today is real too.
A good day is not a promise that every day from now on will be the same.
But a bad day does not erase the good one either.
Let the Good Day Be Good
Not every good day has to be used wisely.
Not every good day has to be productive.
Sometimes the best thing you can do with a little extra energy is something that is not on any list.
Have a coffee outside.
Go for a walk.
Talk for too long with someone you care about.
Sit with an animal.
Make something.
Or do nothing in particular.
You were not given a good day to pay off a debt to all the bad ones.
You have a good day.
Let it be just that.