A Helpful Monologue

Written By Drew Coverdale

A Recent Read

I recently read this monologue below, written by someone else with widespread pain and thought it might provide you with another idea about how to approach your situation. It is authentic to the person, but the words are easily relatable.
See if you find it helpful, and keep smiling as you watch the ice melt!

Talk to the pain:

'Hello, again.  We keep meeting like this, and I know you think you’re helping me. You’ve been protecting me for such a long time that you’ve become a bit of an expert at it.  Thank you for trying to help, but I don’t need you to do that anymore.  I’m ready to take this on myself.  


I am ready to unpack all of the emotions that I’ve pushed away for so many years and begin to heal, but I need you to go now and let me handle all of this for me to do this. 


Here is what I know: I know with 100% certainty that there isn’t anything wrong with me.  My body is in perfect working order. My neck and shoulders are structurally sound, and my hands, elbows and wrists are strong and able to move fully with no problems.  My upper, mid, and lower back are aligned and able to carry me on very long walks, hikes, and even runs. 

My knees, ankles, and feet are one of the strongest parts of my body.  I can power up steep inclines faster than most younger people, and my heart is a perfect working muscle.  My skin and tissues are vibrant, supple, and nourished by my healthy diet.


You will keep trying to help me, and it may take you time to back away. I’m assertive and firm when this happens. I’ll tell you to back off and let me handle it. I’ll remind you that I have control of my body, brain, and emotions. I won’t apologise for taking care of myself. I don’t need you anymore.


I will go on a walk to the part of my brain that is sending me these unnecessary messages and fixes the problem at the source.  I will start by walking up the long stairwell of my spine, passing by the areas in my body that once brought me discomforts, such as my lower back, shoulders and neck.  I will note my lungs as they take deep, calm breaths to enrich my body with oxygen. 

As I walk up the stairs of my cervical spine, I note how each step is cushioned perfectly, and the step is finely made and firmly in place just as it was designed to be.  


I reach the door to my brain, and I delight in seeing how my brain and body work in perfect symbiosis. I note the toggle switches near the amygdala, which can be in the on or off position. Each area of my body has its unique switch, and if it is OFF, that means it is working normally. However, some switches may be turned ON, which needs my attention. 


I start by looking for any switches that may have been turned ON, and I acknowledge them and thank them for getting my attention.  I take my hand, turning those switches back to the OFF position.  I don’t need those areas to be actively alerting me anymore.  I am mindful of the emotion they want me to feel, so I do that now.  I describe the emotion's shape, colour, and sound, and I thank it for its message.  I feel a calm, warming sensation fill that area and then release fully.  I then move to any other switches that may need to be turned OFF.  


Once all the switches are turned off, I feel my lungs take a deep breath, hold it, and release it thoroughly, cleansing my body, amygdala, and brain of all messages.  All I feel now is the calm perfection of homeostasis throughout.


I am safe. I am in control. I am.

Words That Resonate

Do these words resonate with you?

Could you hear yourself saying things to yourself in a kind way?

If this doesn’t come easy then just read this monologue as if you were reading it to a friend and then consider whether you could direct that same kindness to yourself.

You will be amazed at what that shows you.

 

What’s next?
Take Your First Step to Recovery.

Drew Coverdale
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3 Steps To Recovery
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Is My Pain Damage?