Olivia, a former Rutledge Cancer Foundation intern and cancer survivor, continues to share her journey and life after cancer three years into remission from breast cancer. Her story is a powerful reminder that healing is a marathon, and survivors can emerge stronger and more fulfilled.
I recently came across this quote by blogger turned author Mandy Hale:
“Happiness is letting go of what your life is supposed to look like…and celebrating it for everything it is.”
While Mandy was referring to a completely different life situation, I resonated with this so much.
My cancer journey and life after cancer has required a lot of resets and shifts in the way that I approach life.
There’s so much pressure, external and internal, to hit certain milestones by a certain age, to follow a perfectly laid-out timeline: career, marriage, kids, home, success, and obviously…don’t get diagnosed with cancer. And when your life doesn’t follow that script, it’s easy to feel like you’ve somehow failed.
But I’ve figured out that expectations about what your life “should” look like will only lead to heartbreak.
Whether it’s your health, your career, your relationships, or your body, clinging to what you thought things would be only makes it harder to appreciate what actually is.
That second part of the quote is just as important:
“…and celebrating it for everything it is.”
The antidote to unmet expectations? Gratitude.
I know that sounds like something that would be printed on one of those cliché signs, but intentionally appreciating the small, beautiful, weird and joyful parts of your life makes everything lighter.
How lucky are we to even be alive in this exact moment! With people we love, dogs, modern medicine, good books, cupcakes, and of course, Taylor Swift.
If you’ve never tried it, start simple. Every morning or evening, list three things you’re grateful for. Big or small, serious or silly. Just start.
Here, I’ll go first:
- Rainbows
- Movie theater popcorn
- Beach walks
Cancer took so much from me. But it can’t take my gratitude and joy for every day. It may take a while, and there are still hard days, but there IS life after cancer. Cancer survivors are some of the most grateful people I know. We don’t sweat the small stuff. We laugh things off our shoulders. We know how lucky we are to be alive.
Are you a cancer survivor interested in telling your story, sharing advice or lessons learned during your cancer journey? We believe everyone’s story is unique, but there’s a powerful connection between anyone who’s faced cancer. By sharing your story, you can inspire and give hope to others who are going through similar struggles.
Please contact Kelly Wooley, Marketing and Communications Manager, if you’re interested. We would love to hear from you!
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