Dealing With Negative Emotions Post-Amputation Anger, Guilt, Shame, and Fear are all such destructive emotions. They hold us back from realizing our full potential and no one is immune to feeling them at one time or another. As amputees, we face unique challenges, including fears about our new life, future uncertainty, failures, prosthetics, and adapting to physical limitations. As a wife and homeschooling mom amputee I often struggled with guilt. I was always worried about making mistakes and inadequacy. Now, as an amputee, (and I ELECTED this), I was even more fearful of what might be my shortcomings. This is a lot of pressure to put on myself. How about you? Are you adding this stress into your life? All in all, any of those above mentioned emotions, are taking away your happiness and also adding a negative aspect to your life, one that is stress-inducing and impeding success. Stress can harm our health, impeding healing and progress. We must recognize and tame these self-destructive emotions if we are to truly love ourselves, love our life and live it fully. Enjoy the good days. Remember those feelings. Harness them and utilize them when you are struggling. We must realize what we are doing to ourselves and how to tame that monster that is self-destructive in nature. So what can you do when these emotions begin to rear their ugly heads in your mind and life? First thing; Stop beating yourself up over situations you cannot control. You cannot control infections, poor fitting sockets, blister and rashes, or phantom pains. Next, you need to communicate with your family and support system about how you are feeling. and when you're feeling like you are getting everyone down. They need to know where you are at during the harder times as you navigate being an amputee because they probably don't have any other experience with amputees than YOU. Help them understand how you see yourself, where you want to be and what's currently holding you back from realizing your potential. More than likely they wouldn't want you to be worrying about that, just about getting better and stronger. Finally, use positive self-talk. Your brain is a powerful muscle and it will bend and move to what thoughts you are allowing it to feed off of. If you tell yourself you aren't good enough, that you aren't contributing, or you are letting down those around you, then that is what you will feel is true. BIG TIME STRESSOR! Time to start forgiving yourself, forgiving those around you that have hurt you, breaking free from fears, and letting go of guilt. When you are sick and laid up, your first priority must be to get stronger and healthier so you CAN get back to your life and family. You can do this, you are strong enough. This is a long journey, a marathon, not a sprint. You will find that when things are going well something will come along and take you back a step or two. Likewise, when you are struggling, I can promise you, it won't last and soon everything will start working out for the positive. Don't distress, dear Warriors, this too shall pass. Lift up your chin, put a smile on your face, and laugh despite your struggles. The time is now to sharpen your mental sword and fight for what you want and how you want to live your life. Don't give up and don't lose hope. Make today a great day, And as always, Be Healthy, Be Happy, Be YOU!!! Much love,
