Bouncing Back Through Creativity

It has been over a month since I first came down with the virus. I slept through the first week and a half, but was eventually able to get out of bed. I started with at least half of the day and progressed from there.

The virus isn’t completely gone. Granted, I’m not as tired as I was or sleeping as much as I did. The congestion and sore throat are gone, and my appetite has returned. My brain doesn’t seem as foggy. However, “The Cough“ lingers and hits me upon waking and around dinnertime.

This setback has been a challenge. I can’t remember the last time I had something this bad that lasted for so long. It is scary how quickly a minor illness can take a toll, and surprising how long it takes to recover.

I tend to overthink when I have a health setback. Then I start to feel discouraged. Is this the beginning of another stage of sarcoidosis, or is my immune system in such bad shape that I can’t fight even a simple virus?

Once I start thinking that way, I remind myself to do something I enjoy. The best cure is something that will lift my spirits while I recover. For me, it usually involves creative work.

With the holidays approaching, I decided to knit. I wasn’t sure that I would be able to follow a pattern with my fuzzy brain, but I gave it a try. I made a scarf out of pretty, variegated blue and purple wool. The scarf kept me busy for a few hours every day for about a week. The pattern was relatively simple, but it still required my focus and attention.

My scarf. (Photo by Kate Spencer)

I was thrilled that I actually completed the piece. I felt fragile at the time, so it was a victory. I’m not sure who I’ll give the scarf to yet, but I am pleased with the way it turned out.

Putting my creativity to use helped me through the virus. The icing on the cake is that I have something to show for all the time I spent under the weather. I enjoyed the project so much that I started knitting a second one!

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