How I’m enjoying the small moments while living with MS

My cat, Lucky, runs behind me every morning and night as I walk to the kitchen cabinet for his food and treats. He meows nonstop and gazes up at me with his pleading doe eyes, convinced that I’m taking way too long to feed him. I make my way to Lucky’s food and water bowl with a scoop of his kibble while he runs circles around me. As soon as I put his food in the bowl, he dives in like he’s never been fed before.

These small and seemingly insignificant mundane tasks are what genuinely fill my heart with contentment. In these moments, I think about the uncertainty of my multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis, but I reel myself back to the present to appreciate the now. Living in the present is an active struggle for me because I have anxieties and worries about my future with MS.

Since my 2016 diagnosis as a teenager, I’ve learned to appreciate the small moments, no matter how insignificant they could seem to others. I might respond to something as small as hearing the birds chirp, taking the first sip of morning coffee, losing and finding the TV remote, watching my cat nap for 12 hours straight, or finding a matching pair of socks. These daily moments bring me a surprising sense of peace, grounding me and reminding me that joy can be found in the simplest things.

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Heeding the little victories

Even though I’m grateful that I’ve been feeling relatively stable lately, many worries still consume my mind daily because living with MS is full of uncertainty. I worry about how I’ll feel when I wake up in the morning: Will a symptom flare up? How will I cope with my chronic fatigue down the road?

Being a constant worrier doesn’t help, but at the drop of a hat, things can change. For instance, I could be enjoying quality time with my loved ones, and the next second decline the opportunity because of a raging migraine that’ll last for days. These times make me recognize the importance of appreciating those seemingly little daily wins.

While I also appreciate the grand moments that life has to offer, I equally value the smaller victories, such as having the physical ability to feed my cat, unload the dishwasher, and brew a fresh cup of coffee. I try to be actively mindful of savoring such moments, which are too often overlooked. They keep me going despite the hardships that come with MS.

Note: Multiple Sclerosis News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Multiple Sclerosis News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to multiple sclerosis.