2 years ago I gave up on painkillers

October, 2 years ago, the day started as a usual working day. I was not happy with my life back then. My entire day and routine was built around my job. I am lucky to do what I love and enjoy to do, so it was not too bad. Yet I felt I’m not living my live, because I had a feeling it was happening to me.

But that one day changed everything.

A teacher came

A sudden, intense pain in my back caused me to stop. I have tried to sit down, tried to stand up by my working desk. Nothing helped, pain was not going to go away.

The only way to reduce it to make it acceptable was to lay down on the yoga mat on the floor. It was not causing it to go away, but it was the way to limit it, to localize it.

I think it obvious I had to finish that working day early and ask for medical assistance ASAP.

Painkillers and self-help

I spent a month eating pills. I’m not a fan of it and I’m totally not against it. Modern medicine is a good thing in short or mid-term. To recover and make a long-term improvements we must put our own effort into our health.

Doctors said I should avoid sitting, preferrable standing or laying. Naturally I was sitting while taking meals or occasionally driving, so rest of the time I had to lay down or stand up.

Laying down with the books was good, I finally had time to get back to my long list of unread books. Standing desk allowed me to keep on track with daily tasks. But days are to long and boring. This caused me to introduce a simple routine: walking.

It was late October, yellow leaves were slowly falling, creating a rustling carpet under my foot. I was discovering paths in the nearest park and thinking how much time I’ve spent chasing the miracles.

Rediscovering the world

After a month I returned to the office to say goodbye. At the same time I have agreed with my ex-partners how I exit the business we’ve been running for a few years together.

By the end of the year I left with my wife, family, and some cash to make a living for around a year.

I added functional exercises and stretching to my morning routine, and my day was starting with 2 hours long self-care. Doctors were explicitly saying: either I take care of myself, or I don’t give a shit and visit them from time to time to grab my prescriptions.

I have chosen the first option and gave up on taking pills as soon as course ended.