Spreading Joy and Cheer During Bladder Cancer Care

It's the most wonderful time of the year for many people. But for you, it might be the most solitary time. Perhaps you live too far away from your family. Or you just feel excluded from all the revelry.

You might have already felt alone in your cancer journey. It can seem especially lonely with cancer care scheduled between the festivities. How are you supposed to make the season bright?

Well, it begins with joy. The word has many interpretations, but this one fits our context perfectly: Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart. It is a settled state of contentment, confidence, and hope.¹

Although being joyful and being jolly isn't exactly the same, they are somewhat related. And this is the season for spreading joy and being jolly. But what if you just don't feel either one?

Being jolly when you're not feeling it

Jolly describes someone who is full of high spirits, cheer, and let us say, joy.² Here are some ways you can start your own positive vibes flowing:

• Give thanks. Count down the holidays with gratitude. Are you warm? Are you breathing? Wake up every morning thankful for your bed, the roof over your head, and the food on your table. Give thanks for having access to medical services. Expressing gratitude can bring a smile to your face.
• Cheer up. Whether or not you keep a certain holiday, do anything that makes you smile. Wear ugly sweaters. That might make cheer someone else. Turn on the music that gets you dancing around the kitchen while sprinkling cookies. Take a leisurely walk outside and affirm that it's a wonderful life.
• Love yourself. Treat yourself like a loved one. Go out of your way to pamper yourself. Buy yourself some gifts. Spend some alone time resting and recharging. Seek the counseling support you need. Continue self-advocating through the holidays. Does it need to be said? Eat healthily and stay active.

Sharing the vibes when you feel it

Remember, the holidays are not all about you. They are also about how and what you pass on to people around you. Once you start feeling the joy, these are some ways to share it:

• Decorate. Cheer up with bright lights and ornaments. Splurge with colors and textures. Hang a homemade wreath on your door for neighbors to see. So, what if you're not crafty or into decorations? Do it anyway. Be creative. It will feel silly but fun.
• Give. Acts of kindness may increase your joy. Pick a name from the giving tree. Make greeting cards for the adopted family at work. Donate time to a food or toy bank. Perform an unexpected gesture that someone would appreciate. You don't have to go on a major shopping spree. Just give what you have.
• Reconnect. Reach out to family and friends via phone, text, Zoom, and Facetime. Invite them over for movie night. Meet up for lunch or coffee. Give and receive hugs again. And above all, laugh a lot. While you're at it, laugh right through those treatments and procedures. They say it is good medicine.

Embracing intentional joy

Perhaps these are things you would ordinarily do. So, consider this a gentle reminder. The remedy for surviving the holiday doldrums hasn't changed. Shift your focus to proactive participation rather than isolation. Yes, create your own holiday cheer. Don't wait for it to come to you.

Of course, you need a supportive confidant throughout your bladder cancer maintenance. So, keep your network strong. Don't hesitate to reach out to professionals if you feel overwhelmed. Do everything you can to keep progressing toward recovery.

Continue to work at wellness, not at being sick. Practice intentional joy for 21 days and watch what happens. The holidays will soon pass as your journey continues. Start with a renewed outlook on your bladder cancer experience. Set the confident intention of bringing joy and cheer into the new year.