I have been sharing in past weeks on my blog. This calendar year, I have accepted that the medication regimen will be part of my life. It will stay for as long as it is prescribed for me by the doctor. It was not until this year that I finally accepted it once and for all. But I have also accepted that it is important to do other things for my mental, physical, and financial well-being. These aspects matter just as much as the medicine does. When they work together, they make me have the best quality of life possible.

It was hard to accept the medication. Still, it was the most effective way to move ahead. This step allowed other things to become part of what I needed to work for me. Having a kidney infection earlier this year showed me the importance of drinking water daily. I also understood its value in helping my kidneys work. Additionally, I reduced my soda intake by over half in a week’s time.

While being medicated, I understood that it was up to me to control my weight. It had gotten out of hand for over the past two decades. I was living on my own. I needed to make decisions that were in the best interest of stopping the excessive weight gain. I had the power to control everything I put into my body. This meant being conscious of my weight. While I go to a weight loss support group each week. I needed to do what was right. I couldn’t let the gaining get out of control like earlier in the year. It was always a problem. In the past, I discreetly wanted to find the easy way out. I didn’t realize the hurt it was doing to me mentally. I had to accept things for what they were. Part of that acceptance was being mindful of my calorie intake each day. This mindfulness ensured it did not get out of hand. I needed to shift from weight gain to achieving more weight losses.

Yes, it can be hard to accept what has happened and what I have had to deal with. But in the end, it is what it is. It is knowing that things have been in place for a very long time. They worked well before I started living on my own. They can get there once again. They can be better. This change happened because I began to care for my body as a whole. I was no longer relentless with one part or the other. It is a well-rounded all-dimensional well-being effort. While it will take time, I know that I have to do the necessary work. This work is essential for me to be and stay well. It matters. I have accepted it for what it is. As hard as it was to do that. I know that I am much better person than what I am when I am not well. I do what is needed because it matters. End of story.