“What you resist not only persists but grows larger and larger.” ~ Carl Jung
Since I was diagnosed with lupus at age five, my life has felt like a never-ending battle with fatigue, pain, and countless symptoms. Despite trying numerous treatments and medications when I was younger, I never felt truly energized. My body seemed to be perpetually at war with itself, leaving me exhausted and unfulfilled.
Multiple flares often kept me away from school and friends. I wondered why I couldn’t have a pain-free childhood like other children.
I struggled with wanting things to be a certain way and felt out of control, which made me immediately try to control everything around me, causing more pain and exacerbating my symptoms.
This is a vicious cycle.
Over the years I followed various diets and therapies in hopes of finding relief. I tried every diet and countless lifestyle changes. It feels like it’s all or nothing. If I don’t do something 100 percent right, it’s not going to work out. But no matter what I did, the relief was always temporary and my health issues continued to plague me.
The pandemic pushed me to the breaking point, exacerbating my symptoms and giving me severe tinnitus and debilitating dizziness. It was a wake-up call, a moment of clarity where I realized I couldn’t keep fighting my body in the same way. I knew I needed a different approach to truly heal.
I find myself at a crossroads.
What if what I’m doing isn’t working, what if everything I’m criticizing, laughing at, and judging is exactly where I need to be? So what is the medicine I need?
I realized it was time to address my emotions and subconscious beliefs. Even if it doesn’t do me any good or I still think it’s not for me, I can always leave it. I have to be willing to try because apparently this lifestyle makes me miserable, tired, miserable, and unhappy.
I have found that healing is not just about managing symptoms; It was about changing my entire lifestyle and how I viewed my condition. The turning point came when I realized that resisting my condition would only allow it to persist and grow. By embracing everything I was resisting—including my condition itself and the emotions that often triggered it—things began to open up.
Get rid of stagnation
Stagnation often comes from clinging to familiar patterns that no longer serve us. The comfort of the known and the fear of the unknown can keep us stuck in a cycle of merely managing symptoms without making real progress. Recognizing when we are stuck is crucial; it takes courage to step out of those patterns and embrace change.
Throughout my journey, I found myself clinging to overthinking and rationalizing instead of just feeling fear, anxiety, and insecurity. This left me in a whirlpool of thinking but without taking any action. I also noticed that I was very critical of others and recognized that this showed how critical I was of myself.
Often, breaking out of stagnation comes at the lowest moments in our lives, when we can admit to ourselves that our normal patterns of doing things are just. no. Working! These lowest moments often bring about profound insights into our lives, bringing our current state of life into clear focus. This awareness can be a catalyst for change, but how to keep the momentum going?
Building the power of your consciousness and integrating it into your life and everything you do is key.
To break free, start by assessing your current daily routine, habits, and thought patterns. Are they truly helpful, or are they just familiar routines that provide temporary relief? Are they just soothing activities so you can tell yourself you’re doing something while keeping yourself stuck on the hamster wheel?
Observing your thoughts and actions without judgment allows you to be your own witness and make changes without attachment.
In my own journey, as I build awareness, I have found that a key aspect of success is knowing myself where I am. It’s easy to trick ourselves into thinking we need to change overnight or want results immediately. But pursuing that will only keep us stuck longer and take away any joy we get from the journey.
In my own journey, I’ve found that being present and feeling grateful for the small moments is key – like drinking a lovely cup of matcha, or just enjoying the warm breeze on your face. When it all feels overwhelming, I can come back to the present moment and appreciate what I was doing at that moment. I still find great comfort in these small moments.
This is not perfection, but progress. The more fun and curiosity we have, the more we can move in the direction of what truly inspires us, and the easier and faster we will evolve and heal.
subconscious power
Our subconscious beliefs influence reality far more than we think. When we refuse to acknowledge the role of our subconscious mind, we may inadvertently reinforce the limitations and barriers to our recovery. By exploring and reprogramming these deeply held beliefs, we can begin to break free of self-imposed limitations.
For example, if you identify yourself as someone with a chronic illness, this identity can continue to shape your experiences and interactions. Shifting your self-perception into that of a dynamic and capable person can change the way you interact with the world and yourself. I know, easier said than done; I’ve been there. But the harder you work to identify, root out, and take back what you want to believe, the easier the transformation will become.
As my identity evolved from a victim of my disease to a vibrant human being, my recovery accelerated and life unfolded in more ways than I could have ever dreamed of. I became more connected and empathetic to the loved ones around me, and dreams I had longed for for years suddenly appeared in my life effortlessly.
Looking for a sense of security in the body
In many therapeutic fields, they talk about the power of mindfulness and meditation. I have deep respect for these modalities, and they have a place in the healing journey—including mine.
When I discovered somatic work, a therapy that uses mind-body techniques to help people release stress, trauma, and tension, I felt like my own healing was unlocked. For years, I felt like my body was a battlefield, constantly at war with myself. This constant feeling of threat and discomfort makes it difficult to treat effectively.
Finding, exploring, and embracing a sense of safety and trust in my body allowed me to address not only the symptoms, but also the root causes of my pain. Doing somatic work—focusing on sensation to process and then release the emotions stored in my body—was transformative, even magical. This approach helped me understand that healing involves both spiritual and physical aspects.
By creating a sense of safety and comfort within myself, I am able to more effectively support my body’s natural healing process. Accepting the non-linear nature of therapy, understanding that progress comes in waves, and finding peace in my body was crucial to moving from a state of mere survival to a state of thriving.
—
Looking back on my journey, I realize that a true cure for chronic disease requires more than just managing symptoms, but a fundamental shift in the way we live our lives.
My battle with lupus taught me that fighting my condition would only perpetuate it, while embracing change allowed me to find real progress. By breaking free from stagnation, reprogramming my subconscious beliefs, and finding safety within my body, I discovered a transformative path to happiness.
Ultimately, this journey taught me that therapy is a dynamic, non-linear process that involves the mind and body. Embracing these insights has moved me from simply surviving to thriving with new energy and joy. The road to healing can be rocky, but it’s proven that embracing what we resist can lead us to where we most desire.
About Elizabeth Lo Cerro
Elizabeth Lo Serro was diagnosed with lupus at age five and has spent more than two decades mastering how to be full of energy despite suffering symptoms including arthritis, vasculitis and brain fog live. As a Certified Integrative Nutritional Health Coach, she now helps women with lupus relieve fatigue, pain, and rashes and grow beautiful hair again, leaving them feeling energetic, resilient, confident, and radiant. Discover free resources and learn more at revelinghealth.com.
