Always Keep Fighting

The actor Jared Padalecki, best known for his role as Sam Winchester on the TV show Supernatural, has been quite open and honest with his mental health struggles. His mantra is: Always Keep Fighting. My daughter, who also struggles with her mental health, has this tattooed on her upper arm to remind her to never give up.

I've come to adopt this mantra, as well, for not only my mental health struggles, but my physical health struggles, as well. 

And this week, I refused to give up.

After being down for the count with first a flare and then Covid for two solid, straight weeks, I have taken a two-mile walk every day this week. I took it easy, not pushing myself over what I thought I could handle, and darn if I'm not proud of myself for getting back on track.

I hope to resume my regular workouts this weekend or early next week - treadmill time, plus other exercises on my yoga mat. I wanted to ease myself back into things post-Covid.

Moving my body is so important to me. The physical benefits are self-explanatory, but the mental and emotional benefits are equally valid. But there are limits. I can't push myself too hard or I will end up in a flare and not be able to move for days at a time. Also? I am never not in pain. Every night this week, I've dealt with pain before, during, and after my walks. But I still do it. I know others cannot, and I absolutely respect and honor their choice. We must all do what is best for our bodies.

I also bring this mentality to my writing. I'm querying literary agents right now, and I've received a mixed bag of responses. Some of the rejections have actually been really great and have encouraged me to keep writing. In this, I also refuse to give up, to always keep fighting. I believe in my work and my ability to tell a good story. I know that I will find a literary agent who will be just as excited and passionate about my work as I am!

Always keep fighting. For your health. For your writing. For you.