Hopes and Goals for the New Year

With each new year, many people set goals and intentions for the best possible future.

Thinking about the new year means a lot of different things to people in the multiple sclerosis (MS) community.

To learn more about this, we reached out on the MultipleSclerosis.net Facebook page. We asked, “What is your biggest hope for your multiple sclerosis journey in 2023?”

The question received more than 300 comments. Here are the themes that emerged.

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Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats

Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats is a great way to start the day! This easy recipe combines oats, peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, and maple syrup into the most delicious meal. Can be eaten at any time of the day too!!  Get creative and add extra ingredients if you like; nuts, berries, hazelnut spread.  Yummy!!!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1 teaspoon whole flax seeds (optional)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1/2 banana (add when ready to eat)

Instructions

  1. Mix the oats, flax seeds, and cinnamon in a mason jar or a bowl.
  2. Add the milk and maple syrup and stir well.
  3. Drop in the peanut butter and mix it around.
  4. Place the lid on the jar or cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
  5. When ready to eat, top with the banana slices or add any ingredients you like.
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Production Levels May Vary

By: Diana Cruz

Motivation is a gift that many people overlook. When motivation is lost, the momentum once encompassed to achieve your goals and accomplishments typically decreases. Loss of motivation and momentum can easily be viewed as laziness or lack of desire to truly go after what you want; however, it is much easier to judge from the outside looking in.

Remaining motivated to complete the goals you have set for yourself, even daily tasks, can be daunting when factors out of your control come into play. Having an impairment or sickness can take a toll like no other – one that can make you feel scared, unmotivated, and alone. It can feel like the universe is out to get you. As someone with an autoimmune disorder, experiencing flare-ups with my health can affect every aspect of my life. It becomes an impairment physically, mentally, and emotionally – making completing tasks and remaining motivated nearly impossible some days. 

When my disorder gets the best of me, I tend to remind myself of three things:

  • It is not only okay to take time to rest – it is necessary. Your body cannot do its best if it is in “Go” mode all the time. If your body needs time to recover, listen to it and respect that. You may find that taking time off will benefit your mind and body in an impactful way.
  • Doing your best looks different every day. Completing day-to-day tasks, regardless of how minor, are still accomplishments. It is unrealistic to always tackle the world.
  • Your weaknesses are your strengths. Nobody knows what it takes to be you, and that is your greatest superpower. Your ability to push through even your toughest of days is admirable and inspiring. Be proud of yourself.

Rather than judging the positions of others, praise those who are consistently putting in effort despite their circumstances. Be kind – you do not know everyone’s story. And lastly, please remember to eat, drink water, take care of yourself, and do your best – whatever that may look like today. Keep your support system close and remember that asking for help does not make you weak, it makes you resourceful.

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Your Best Year

By: Doug Ankerman

2022 is over and you are already ankle-deep in 2023.  What will this new year bring?  No one knows for sure.  But I believe you can give yourself an edge for the better with a few small, but subtle changes.  Here are some ways to start…

  • Stretching before bedtime eases a jittery body.
  • Drink drink drink water.
  • MS is relentless.  Be relentless right back.
  • Do what you can to improve what you have.
  • Slip-on shoes are wonderful.
  • Read out loud to strengthen your voice.  (Keep your belly tight)
  • Waggle your fingers.  Wiggle your toes.
  • Forget the music.  MRI-time is nap-time.
  • Take lukewarm showers.
  • Get as much done when your energy is highest.  (Mornings for me)
  • Invite no one to your pity party.
  • Move what you can as much as you can.  Then do it again.
  • Routines may be boring but are essential with MS.
  • Staying hydrated eases constipation & muscle spasms.
  • Clean out the damn rollator basket.
  • Wall-walking is a talent.
  • Focus on what you CAN do.  Not what you CAN’T.
  • Exercise/movement burns energy-but gives back so much more.
  • Big handle silverware is cool.
  • Breathe deeply.  In through the nose.  Out through the mouth.
  • A clear pee is a good pee.
  • Crawling is not just for babies (and is good exercise).
  • Take meds at the same time every day.
  • There is no magic pill, shot or infusion.  You gotta work it too.
  • Leaving yourself a note/list eases your mind.
  • Be inventive.  Use what you have to scratch your back.
  • Put your stuff away in the same place so you can find it.
  • You don’t need a gym.  Just roll around on the floor for a workout.
  • When will this list ever end?
  • Pull-over tops are easy AND fashionable.
  • Move it, use it or lose it.

And finally, MS never stops. Neither should you.

Well, I hope this helps.  Here’s to your best in 2023!

Doug writes silly stuff about MS and other topics on his humor blog at myoddsock.com

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Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll be among the stars.

Every January, most of us ask ourselves and those around us, “What is your new year’s resolution?” But why is this a thing? Is this simply a tradition, or is January truly the ideal time to establish goals for the rest of the year?

New Year’s Day serves as a clean slate. It is such a popular time of year to evaluate our goals because it represents a reset button, a fresh start that has the potential for greatness. My personal new year’s anthem is the song Feeling Good by Nina Simone. Regardless of the intended meaning of this song, the lyrics speak to me around this time of year.

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New Year, Same MS

For most, the new year comes with excitement of what’s to come. For those of us who battle MS, the new year comes with its fair share of worries, challenges and anxious thoughts of what the new year may bring. We reflect on our past year, perhaps your MS got worse, and you’re worried it won’t get any better, or maybe you are finally considered “stable”, and you’re concerned it is too good to be true and you will get worse. However you choose to look at the new year, we all worry one way or another. I am here to tell you that you are not alone.  

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Roll in Fall

Fall is a wonder of its own. One gets to enjoy the significant drop in the temperatures which is a wonderful respite from the sweltering heat in the past months. The kids are settled in their schools by now after the long summer break. It is also the season when daylight savings ends, and we fall in the cycle of shorter days and longer nights. College football is officially on and in full swing.

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Change is Beautiful

Fall is undoubtedly my all-time favorite season. There is something so tranquil about feeling my favorite flannel brush against the cool breeze. The sight of beautiful vibrant leaves falling upon the jack-o-lantern on my doorstep brings color to my world. The scent of freshly baked cookies being carried throughout the house warms me as I watch classic horror movie reruns on the TV. But for a multitude of reasons, autumn this year resonates with me on a deeper, more existential level. It is the season of change, both externally and internally. As we come to adjust our surroundings and habits to correlate with our altering environment, we may begin to reflect inward.

"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let things go." text graphic
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Where did the sunshine go?

Big tree and leaves signifying that Fall has arrived, reflecting the title of this blog "Where did the sunshine go?"

Fall has arrived, and it brings many beautiful changes. The cooler weather is typically a welcomed change, comfort food is readily available, and trees change their color to all sorts of gorgeous shades of red, orange, and brown. I personally love the pumpkin overload and watching the rain while sipping on a cup of coffee, but many others find this time to be the cause of sadness, anxiety, and even dread. For many, this drastic change in weather and the holiday season can mean unwelcomed feelings and a need to be extra gentle with ourselves.

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You Know You Have MS When . . .

The day you receive a multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis can feel surreal. It is common to be in denial and want to ignore it. But over time, you start to see that your symptoms match what the doctor explained would happen.

For most people, there is a moment when they cannot deny their symptoms or their diagnosis anymore. And life goes on.

To find out more about what that moment looks like, we turned to the MultipleSclerosis.net Facebook page. We asked the community to fill in the blank: “You know you have MS when _____________.”

More than 250 people in the community responded. Here is what they said.

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