RA: Pause Before Passing Judgement

I do it. You probably do it, too. Passing judgement is a short-cut way to quickly interpret a situation. It often doesn't stop there, though. After we pass judgement (in our head), we may be moved to act, talk, gossip, malign and/or insult.

We all tend to pass judgment to varying degrees and in a variety of situations based upon what we see, hear, or experience. As we zoom to assume, there can be long-term repercussions that are hurtful and harmful. Share this list of 10 reasons not to judge those of us with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with your family, friends, and colleagues to foster consideration and compassion about what it's like to live with RA.

 Before you judge, you should know:

1. I am making the best decisions I know how to make in my treatment choices. In a perfect world, I wouldn't have to take medications to manage my disease. There's a good chance that I have explored all sorts of treatment options, natural remedies, and am practicing self-care techniques that are right for me.

Read the rest of the article here: 10 Reasons Not to Judge Me

Two More Reasons Not to Judge Me

  1. I like things clean, neat, tidy and organized. If you come over and my home isn't clean, neat, tidy and organized, please understand that it's not because I'm too lazy. Rather, it's another "too" - too sore. And possibly another one - too tired. RA can make a mess - of your body and your home.
  2. We've been looking forward to getting together for weeks. The event is highlighted on the calendar. At the last minute, I may have to bail. It could be due to extreme fatigue or the sudden change in the weather can wreak havoc with my joints, making movement difficult. For example, during our rare and recent snowfall on Monday, the barometric pressure changes affected me and not in a good way. I felt like I needed a hot iron to press out all the "wrinkles" in my joints. Fortunately, I'm feeling better today.

How to Put the Brakes on Judgement

This is something I've been working on for the past month or so. Each time I catch myself in judgement mode, I simply pause, then say to myself, "Judgement!" It's amazing how a simple call out can identify this damaging behaviour. Even if you don't go any further with it, realize that it's a negative emotion that can contribute to your stress.

Helpful Article

If you need more reasons why you'd want to put the brakes on judgement, read: 10 Reasons to Stop Judging People.


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