You’ve got something coming up soon, but you keep putting off the preparation stage… and that only makes you more stressed. So, I’m going to talk a bit about preparing and balancing it for something that’s not happening yet but still stresses you out.
For me, it’s usually “travel.” For example, I might need to travel to another city for a hospital visit, a business trip, to see a family member, or for a long vacation. So far, I haven’t had to travel internationally (hopefully one day for fun!).
I’ve learned that avoiding the issue and not balancing, making excuses only makes things worse. Instead, preparing—mentally, physically, and financially—always brings me more peace.
Of course, I’m talking about LISTS here. If you haven’t noticed by now, I love making lists. I enjoy breaking down everything I need to do into steps. And each time I complete a step, I check it off with the same satisfaction as taking a sip of my coffee.
Denying the process and being out of balance, only harms you. Accepting it, making peace with it—that’s up to you. Even if you dislike traveling or just don’t want to go to an event, you feel uneasy because you know it’s happening.
I’ve got a way to deal with it.
You can find more in my journey: Something to Say Also, you can visit my ETSY store to find some items you can like and buy 🙂 ETSY LINK
I made this with ChatGPT and DALL-E. I asked for “a slice of cake,” but they gave me a whole cake in just the right spot! Well why not? 😄
It’s like not wanting to get an MRI but finding yourself in the machine anyway. You know it’s going to happen eventually, for your routine check-up. The unpleasant parts—like “staying still, being bothered by the sounds”—only get worse the more you focus on them, making the process harder for you and your treatment. (Yes, I have a routine MRI coming up this time, and I’m a little stressed. I guess that’s obvious!)
So, let me share my methods for balancing:
What’s unclear about the event? Try to clarify everything. For example, what time is the MRI? What will you wear? What are you doing before the MRI? Do you have a doctor’s appointment or need to ask the nurse any questions? Don’t hesitate to ask them everything!
Also, what are you doing for the rest of the day? If possible, plan something nice after the MRI. Set up a meet with your loved ones, grab a coffee at your favorite café, eat that slice of cake!
Convince yourself that you’re allowed to indulge that day. You’re doing something good for yourself by getting the MRI, so why not reward yourself afterward? This is my method for balancing things. Yours might be going for a run. (…Really?)
Once you’ve cleared up most of the uncertainties, by now, you probably know what you need for an MRI from previous experiences. If it’s your first time, here’s a quick tip list:
Women aren’t allowed to wear bras with metal during an MRI, so maybe go “free” for the day in something comfortable. Why not? Instead of spending time in the changing room, you could come ready or quickly get dressed there.
You can bring MRI-safe earplugs (no metal)—they’re available at most pharmacies in Turkey. If not, ask the MRI nurses for some cotton. You can put them in yourself or ask the staff to help you.
They won’t ask you to do anything during the MRI. You just need to stay still. Not hearing the outside world will help you stay calm. You’ll be alone with yourself and the machine’s sounds during the procedure.
If you’re really nervous, ask someone (or a nurse) to stay with you and hold your ankle during the MRI. You can both sync to the machine’s sounds. But remember, you’ve got to stay still!
When I enter the MRI machine, I close my eyes right away. Once I’m relaxed enough, I sometimes open them, but I try to keep them closed as much as possible. I tell myself it’s “a break for my eyes after all that screen time.” (It’s a bit of therapy. Or, if I push it, a bit of a spa day—keeping still in a spa! Whatever helps you feel comfortable.)
I try to catch the rhythm of the machine’s sounds, usually tuning in and out of my thoughts. The key is to consciously steer away from thoughts that make me uncomfortable. Sometimes I even say, “I don’t like this thought, let’s think of something else.” (I like having monologues; it might get worse during the MRI. 😄)
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I know I’ve focused a lot on the MRI example, but this can apply to so many different situations. After reducing the uncertainties and finding “event-specific” relaxation methods for balancing, it’s time to plan the before and after. If it’s a trip, think about the journey, the places you’ll visit afterward, and the return trip.
I love road trips. So, I treat any trip as one. I make the journey as enjoyable as possible with comfy clothes, music playlists, snacks, and a bathroom essentials bag.
Once I’ve made the trip part enjoyable, it’s time to think about what I’ll need at my destination. Basically, it’s time to pamper myself.
For example, I never travel without my pillow. Even if I’m staying at a luxury hotel, I bring my pillow because I might not find the same comfort. And since I’m usually driving on my journeys, I have the luxury of extra trunk space. If there’s room, my pillow is coming too!
If I’m still feeling stressed the day before the MRI, I think about what comforts me at home. Peppermint or chamomile tea calms me, so I throw them in my bag. Whatever else helps me balance and manage the internal stress—I take that with me, too.
I often return home with half the stuff I packed unused, but it doesn’t matter as long as my “moment” is comfortable. If that means extra luggage, so be it!
With ChatGPT and DALL-E, I wanted to create an image where you can forget your worries and find peace with yourself.
Okay, maybe I’m a bit of a “control freak,” about this “balancing” but I don’t mind feeling secure when I know what I need to do. I plan, and I go with it. Whether it’s for an MRI, a business trip, or just a change of city, these steps always bring me peace.
Saying “I’m stressed” and letting it consume me isn’t helpful, especially since I know that stress can trigger an MS relapse. It’s my job to make myself comfortable before anyone else. Sure, I mentally struggle with it, and everyone else goes through the MRI or the trip, but knowing that doesn’t reduce my anxiety about it.
I’ve learned not to downplay my own feelings. Instead, I walk with them and work through them.
This whole list-making thing might seem over-the-top to you, but trust me, it’s a lot better than sitting with your stress and letting it consume you. Finding ways to comfort yourself is the best thing you can do for your mental and physical health.
