How To Squeeze More Joy From Life (Even If You Are Disabled)

Unsplash - CC0 License

How can you squeeze more joy from life, even if you're living with a disability? It's a question that millions of people ask themselves every year. The number of people with disabilities is rising all the time, so it's worth figuring out what you can do to improve quality of life and adapt creatively to your situation. 

Shift your focus to what you can do

The first thing you want to do is shift your focus on what you can do. Many people who discover that they have a disability spend a lot of time focusing on things they can't do, and this can bring them down.

The best way to think about what you can do is celebrate your micro wins. These are all the little things that happen throughout the day that still prove that you're in control of your life and you can do what you want. For example, you might celebrate a small self-care task or a period of time when you had lower pain.

You can also keep gratitude notes. These remind you that there are still things to be grateful for despite your condition. For example, you might be thankful for things like the sun in your face or the ability to eat nice food. 

Adapt your old joys

Another thing you'll want to look into is adapting your old joys so that they remain things in your life. For example, if you were a big reader before but you can't see as well, then you might want to move to audiobooks and podcasts. Alternatively, you could join online communities for shared interests or adapt old-fashioned exercises that you used to do to your current situation. If you were creative before, then continue this habit. Keep writing, taking photos, storytelling, or producing art. Make sure that you experiment in low-pressure ways that serve you. 

Find a community

Unsplash - CC0 License

You can also squeeze more joy out of life when you have a disability by finding a community. Oftentimes, you'll find a local centre that helps with people in your specific situation in your area. For example, you might want to go to the adult down syndrome center. 

Once you have a community, you'll notice that your entire life changes. You suddenly have a group of people around you who care about you and want to support you. You can also interact with people with similar experiences, so you don't feel so isolated. 

Prioritize gentle movement and rest

While it might sound counterintuitive, you also want to prioritize gentle movement and rest, especially when you have a disability. Don't try to force yourself to do things. For example, you might want to build rest into your routine without feeling guilty. If you feel tired, then you can chalk it up to your physical condition. 

You might also incorporate self-compassion as a practice in your life, recognizing where you are physically and emotionally and then being sympathetic to your needs. This is particularly the case if you have always been a high achiever.