New Leaf Lyme Support & Publishing CIC

New Leaf Lyme Support & Publishing CIC Community-led, patient-driven support for those living with Lyme disease. https://chng.it/YKSDwHcn2x

Through reflections, creative projects, and our global petition, we amplify patient voices and push for better understanding and care. My name is Paul Terrill, and I founded New Leaf Lyme Support UK after my own journey living with late-stage Lyme disease and co-infections. This page was born from lived experience - to offer compassion, raise awareness and speak the truths that too often go unhear

d. In collaboration with The Global National HealthCare Trust Charity, I aim to give others what I needed most: understanding, support and hope. ๐Ÿ’š

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 16: Day 5 โ€“ "Knowing When To Hold And When To Move" The Wisdom of TimingNot every day asks for t...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 16: Day 5 โ€“

"Knowing When To Hold And When To Move"

The Wisdom of Timing

Not every day asks for the same thing, some days are for moving forward. Others are for holding steady. And one of the most important skills in recovery is learning the difference because there can be a temptation to always push ahead.

To keep expanding...to keep progressing...to keep looking for the next step. But growth is not just about movement, sometimes growth looks like maintaining what you already have. Holding a routine...protecting energy...allowing the body to settle into a new level of stability before asking more from it.

This is not standing still, it is allowing progress to take root. Because not every opportunity needs to be taken immediately.
Not every good day needs to become a bigger challenge, not every improvement needs to be accelerated.

Sometimes the wisest choice is to pause, to observe, to let the body show whether it is ready. And then when the time is right...
to move. Recovery often becomes easier when you stop treating every day the same.

When you stop forcing movement on days that need rest. And stop holding back on days that genuinely support growth.
This is where timing matters. Not rushing, not delaying unnecessarily.

But responding to what is actually there. Day 5 is about recognising that progress is not just knowing how to move forward. It is knowing when to stay where you are long enough for stability to catch up.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Effective self-regulation involves ongoing assessment of physical, cognitive and emotional capacity. As recovery progresses, capacity may fluctuate based on factors such as sleep quality, stress exposure, activity load, autonomic function and overall physiological demand.

Adaptive pacing requires flexibility. On some days, capacity may support gradual progression, while on others, maintaining current activity levels may be more beneficial. The ability to adjust behaviour according to available capacity helps reduce the likelihood of overexertion while supporting long-term adaptation and resilience.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

Recovery is not always about doing more. Sometimes the best thing you can do, is stay where you are for a little while and allow your body to adjust. There will be days when you genuinely feel ready to take another step forward.

There will also be days when maintaining what you have already achieved is enough. Learning to recognise the difference can help prevent setbacks and make progress feel more sustainable.

The goal is not to push every day...the goal is to make choices that support where your body is today.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Check in with your energy before deciding how much to take on

๐ŸŒฟ Allow today's capacity to guide today's decisions

๐Ÿค Remember: holding steady is sometimes progress itself

๐Ÿ“ฑ Avoid making decisions based solely on frustration or impatience

๐Ÿ” Notice when the body is asking for stability rather than expansion

๐Ÿซถ Trust that rest and growth can both serve recovery

๐Ÿ” Practise responding to your body's needs rather than following rigid expectations

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

Not every step forward looks like movement. Sometimes it looks like staying present with what is already working. There is wisdom in knowing when to grow.

And there is wisdom in knowing when to let growth settle. Because the strongest progress is not built through constant motion, but through knowing when to hold and when to move.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œTo everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.โ€
โ€” Ecclesiastes 3:1

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol   Wk 17: Day 7 - "Creating A Life That Feels Meaningful" Bringing Purpose, Values and Growth Togethe...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 7 -

"Creating A Life That Feels Meaningful"

Bringing Purpose, Values and Growth Together

Throughout this week, we have explored purpose. Not as something distant, not as something reserved for extraordinary people. But as something that exists within everyday life. We explored what matters most.

The small things that bring meaning...the person beyond the illness...the value of contribution...the return of hope...the importance of intentional choices. And now all of those pieces begin to come together, because a meaningful life is rarely built through one defining moment.

It is built through many smaller moments connected over time. The things you value, people you care about...choices you make. The dreams you continue to carry...the ways you contribute. Each becomes part of something larger.

A life that reflects who you are. Not who illness told you to be, not who other people expected you to become. But who you choose to be moving forward, this does not mean every day will feel meaningful.

There will still be challenges...still uncertainty...still moments where things feel difficult. But meaning is not the absence of struggle, it is the presence of something worth moving towards despite it. This is where recovery finds one of its deepest purposes.

Not simply helping you survive, not simply helping you stabilise. But helping you create a life that feels worth living. As for today, day 7 is about recognising that meaning is not something you eventually arrive at.

It is something you create through the way you live...
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

A strong sense of meaning and purpose is associated with improved psychological wellbeing, resilience, life satisfaction and adaptive coping during adversity. Research suggests that meaning is often developed through the integration of values, relationships, goals, contribution, personal growth and life experiences.

Rather than being a fixed destination, meaning functions as an ongoing process through which individuals interpret their lives and direct their actions. Purpose-driven living has been associated with improved emotional wellbeing and greater capacity to navigate challenges while maintaining a sense of identity and direction.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Terms...

A meaningful life does not require perfect health, it does not require achieving every goal. And it does not require having everything figured out. For some people, meaning comes through family and friendships.

For others, it may come through faith...creativity...helping others, learning new things...spending time in nature...joining community groups. Volunteering...attending a local club...supporting a cause they care about or connecting with people who share similar experiences.

For those who feel isolated, meaning and connection can also be found through support groups...helplines, online faith communities, hobby groups..book clubs and cooking clubs.

Or simply taking small steps towards engaging with the world again.
The important thing is not where meaning comes from. It is recognising that life can still contain purpose, connection, growth and value. Even when the journey has been difficult.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Reflect on what makes life feel meaningful to you personally

๐ŸŒฟ Continue nurturing activities, relationships and interests that align with your values

๐Ÿค Focus on building a life that feels fulfilling rather than perfect

๐Ÿ“– Explore new opportunities for learning, connection, creativity or contribution

๐Ÿซถ Allow purpose to evolve as your circumstances change

๐ŸŒฑ Remember: "that meaning often grows through small actions repeated over time"

โœจ Keep moving towards what gives life value, even in small ways

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

Meaning is not found at the end of the journey, it is found within the journey itself. In the people you meet...the lessons you learn.

The kindness you share, the dreams you continue to carry. In the choices that reflect who you are. And the values that guide where you go. Because a meaningful life is not measured by how easy it was.

It is measured by how fully it was lived. And perhaps that is what recovery was always leading towards. Not simply surviving, but learning how to live.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE

โ€œI have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.โ€ โ€” John 10:10

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 17: Day 6 -   "Living With Intention Each Day" Choosing What Aligns With Who You Want To Be Life...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 6 -

"Living With Intention Each Day"

Choosing What Aligns With Who You Want To Be

Life has a way of becoming reactive, especially during illness. Symptoms appear...plans change...energy fluctuates.
And before long, much of life becomes about responding to whatever arrives next. For a season, that may be necessary because survival often requires flexibility.

But as stability grows and purpose begins to return, something else becomes possible...choice. Not complete control, not certainty. But choice.

The ability to ask:

๐Ÿ’ฌ "Does this align with what matters to me?"

๐Ÿ’ฌ "Is this helping me move towards the life I want to build?"

๐Ÿ’ฌ "Does this reflect the person I want to become?"

These questions create intention, because intentional living is not about perfection. It is not about making flawless decisions.
It is about becoming more conscious of where your time, energy, attention and effort are going.

Many people spend years reacting to life. Responding to demands, meeting expectations, following habits they never consciously chose. But purpose invites something different.

To live according to values rather than pressure. To make decisions that reflect meaning rather than urgency...to move with direction rather than drift.

This does not require dramatic change, sometimes intention is found in very small choices. How you spend an hour...how you speak to yourself...who you invest your energy in...what you choose to prioritise. Today, day 6 is about recognising that a meaningful life is often built through intentional choices, repeated over time.
_______________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Intentional decision-making involves increased engagement of executive functions within the prefrontal cortex, including planning, self-regulation, prioritisation and value-based decision-making.

Research suggests that actions aligned with personal values are associated with greater psychological wellbeing, increased motivation and improved long-term behavioural consistency.

When individuals make conscious choices that reflect their priorities and beliefs, they often experience greater purpose, autonomy, and life satisfaction.

Living intentionally helps reduce the influence of automatic behaviours and external pressures that may not align with personal goals.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

Living with intention means making choices based on what truly matters to you. Instead of simply reacting to whatever happens next, you begin asking yourself: "Is this helping me move towards the kind of life I want?"

That doesn't mean every day needs a perfect plan, it doesn't mean every decision has to be deeply meaningful. Sometimes it is as simple as choosing activities that bring peace rather than stress.

Spending time on things that matter rather than things that drain you. Making small choices that reflect your values, your goals and the person you want to become. Over time, those small choices begin shaping the direction of your life.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Reflect on what matters most to you right now

๐ŸŒฟ Ask whether your daily choices reflect your values

๐Ÿค Notice where you spend most of your time and energy

๐Ÿ“– Choose one small action each day that aligns with your priorities

๐Ÿซถ Let purpose guide your decisions, more than pressure or expectation

๐ŸŒฑ Reduce commitments that consistently pull you away from what matters

โœจ Remember that direction is often built through many small choices

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

A meaningful life is rarely built through one big decision, it is built through hundreds of small ones. The moments when you choose what matters over what distracts.

The moments when you move towards your values instead of away from them. And over time, those choices begin to shape something larger. Not just a better day, not just a better week.

But a life that feels more aligned with who you truly are.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œTeach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.โ€ โ€” Psalm 90:12

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 17: Day 5 -   "Rebuilding Dreams Carefully" Allowing Hope To Return Without PressureIllness has ...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 5 -

"Rebuilding Dreams Carefully"

Allowing Hope To Return Without Pressure

Illness has a way of changing plans, some dreams are delayed. Some goals are paused...some paths take unexpected turns.
And over time, it can become easier not to think about the future at all.

Not because hope has disappeared, but because disappointment has become familiar. When plans have been interrupted enough times, dreaming can begin to feel risky. Because hope carries vulnerability, it asks us to imagine something beyond our current circumstances.

And that can feel uncomfortable when life has been unpredictable. But something begins to change as stability grows, the future starts to feel possible again. Not certain...not guaranteed, but possible. And with that possibility comes a quiet invitation...to dream again.

Not necessarily the same dreams as before, not because the old dreams were wrong. But because life may have taught you new things along the way. New priorities...new values...new perspectives.

Sometimes recovery is not about returning to the future you once imagined. It is about discovering a future that fits who you are becoming, this is where hope becomes important. Not unrealistic hope...not pressure.

But the willingness to believe that meaningful things may still lie ahead. Whether it's today or Day 5 in your recovery, it is about allowing yourself to imagine a future again. Without demanding that it arrives immediately.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Hope plays an important role in psychological wellbeing and resilience. Research suggests that maintaining a future-oriented perspective can support motivation, adaptive coping, emotional regulation and overall quality of life.

Chronic illness and prolonged adversity may reduce future-focused thinking, particularly when uncertainty and repeated setbacks are present. Gradually reconnecting with personal goals, aspirations, and meaningful possibilities can help strengthen psychological flexibility and reinforce a sense of purpose.

Importantly, healthy hope differs from unrealistic expectation. It allows room for uncertainty while still maintaining openness to future opportunities.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

When you've been through a lot, it can feel safer not to think too far ahead. If plans have changed many times, you may stop making them altogether. But healing often creates space for hope to return. Not because everything is suddenly certain.

But because life begins to feel possible again. You don't need to have all the answers, you don't need a perfect plan.

Sometimes hope starts with something simple:

โžก๏ธ A place you'd like to visit

โžก๏ธ A project you'd like to start

โžก๏ธ A skill you'd like to learn

โžก๏ธ A goal you'd like to work towards

โžก๏ธ A future you'd like to believe could exist.

The important thing is not how big the dream is, it's allowing yourself permission to have one.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Reflect on goals or dreams that still feel meaningful to you

๐ŸŒฟ Allow yourself to think about the future, without immediately judging it

๐Ÿค Separate hope from pressure or unrealistic expectations

๐Ÿ“– Write down one thing you would like to experience, learn, create or achieve

๐Ÿซถ Focus on possibilities, rather than guarantees

๐ŸŒฑ Break larger dreams into small manageable steps

โœจ Give yourself permission to imagine a future beyond survival

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

Dreams do not disappear simply because life becomes difficult.Sometimes they wait, quietly, patiently. Beyond the challenges...
beyond the uncertainty...beyond the years spent adapting.

And when the time is right, hope begins to whisper again. Not demanding, not rushing. Simply reminding you that there may still be chapters you have not yet read.

Places you have not yet seen, possibilities you have not yet explored. Because the future does not have to be fully visible
for it to exist.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œFor I know the plans I have for you,โ€ declares the Lord, โ€œplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.โ€ โ€” Jeremiah 29:11

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 17: Day 4 -   "Contributing In Your Own Way" The Value Of Impact At Every Level There is a commo...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 4 -

"Contributing In Your Own Way"

The Value Of Impact At Every Level

There is a common belief that contribution must be large to matter. That it must be seen, recognised or even measured.
Something significant...something impressive...something that changes many lives at once.

But life rarely works that way, most meaningful contributions happen quietly. A conversation...a kind gesture...a shared experience...even a moment of understanding. Things that may seem small from the outside, but feel deeply important to the person receiving them.

Chronic illness can sometimes create the feeling that contribution is no longer possible. That because capacity has changed, value has somehow changed too. But contribution is not measured by energy levels, it is not measured by productivity. And it is not measured by comparison.

Because every person still has something to offer. Wisdom, compassion, experience, encouragement, creativity and
presence. Sometimes contribution looks like leading...sometimes it looks like listening...sometimes it is helping someone through a difficult day, simply because you understand what they are facing.

The world often celebrates visible impact, but many lives are changed through things that never appear in public. A supportive message...a thoughtful conversation...or even a quiet act of kindness. Today is about recognising that contribution does not disappear when life changes, it simply takes different forms.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Research in psychology consistently demonstrates that contributing to others can support wellbeing, purpose and resilience. Acts of contribution, whether large or small are associated with increased feelings of connection, self-worth and meaning.

Importantly, contribution is not limited to physical output or productivity. Emotional support...knowledge sharing...mentoring or volunteering, creative expression and community participation can all provide a meaningful sense of purpose.

Engaging in valued forms of contribution may help strengthen identity and reinforce a sense of belonging, particularly during periods of long-term illness or recovery.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

Many people living with chronic illness worry that they are no longer able to contribute in the same way they once did. But contribution is not just about work, physical activity or achievement.

It can be as simple as encouraging someone...sharing your experience...supporting a cause you care about...creating something meaningful...helping within your community or being present for another person.

Even small acts can have a lasting impact, you do not have to change the world to make a difference in it. Sometimes the most valuable contributions are the ones that help a single person feel seen, understood or less alone.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Reflect on ways you have helped others throughout your life

๐ŸŒฟ Consider what strengths, experiences, or knowledge you can share

๐Ÿค Look for small opportunities to contribute without overwhelming yourself

๐Ÿ“– Support causes, communities, or groups that align with your values

๐Ÿซถ Remember that listening can be as valuable as speaking

๐ŸŒฑ Allow contribution to match your current capacity

โœจ Focus on impact rather than scale

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

Contribution is not measured by how much you do, it is measured by what you give from where you are. A kind word...a shared experience...a moment of understanding. These things may seem small, yet they often stay with people far longer than we realise.

You do not need extraordinary strength to make a difference. Sometimes all it takes is offering what you already carry. And that is often enough to change someone's day, their perspective or even their path.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œEach of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.โ€ โ€” 1 Peter 4:10

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 17: Day 3 -   "Identity Beyond Illness" Who You Are, Beyond Symptoms & Diagnosis When illness st...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 3 -

"Identity Beyond Illness"

Who You Are, Beyond Symptoms & Diagnosis

When illness stays for a long time, it can quietly begin to shape how you see yourself. Appointments become part of life...symptoms become part of daily conversations, while limitations become part of decision-making.

And without realising it, something else can happen. The illness begins to take up more and more space. Not just within the body,
but within identity. You may begin introducing yourself through what you struggle with, measuring days through symptoms.

Defining yourself by diagnoses, treatments or limitations. And this is understandable, because chronic illness affects real parts of life. It changes routines...it changes plans...it changes experiences. But it does not define the whole person, because before the diagnosis...there was still you.

The person who laughed...the person who dreamed...the person who cared deeply about certain things. The person who held values, beliefs, talents, interests and hopes. And that person has not disappeared.

They may have adapted, they may have changed. They may have become stronger in ways they never expected, but they are still there. This is one of the most important shifts in recovery.

Recognising that illness is something you experience, it is not the entirety of who you are. Because identity becomes healthier when it is built upon the whole person, not solely upon the challenges they face.

Whether it's today or another day of the week, day 3 is about remembering that your diagnosis may explain part of your journey. But it does not tell your whole story.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Long-term health conditions can significantly influence self-concept and personal identity. Research within health psychology suggests, that when illness becomes the dominant lens through which individuals view themselves. It may contribute to reduced self-efficacy, social withdrawal and decreased psychological flexibility.

Developing a broader sense of identity that includes personal strengths, values, relationships, interests, beliefs and achievements, can support resilience and emotional wellbeing.

Individuals often adapt more successfully when illness is integrated into identity rather than becoming the sole defining feature of it.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

When you've been ill for a long time, it can feel as though everything revolves around symptoms, treatments, appointments and limitations. Over time, it becomes easy to forget that there is far more to you than your health condition.

You may be a parent...a friend...a creator...a learner...a person of faith or a supporter of others. Someone with skills, experiences, dreams, humour, kindness, wisdom and strengths. Illness may be part of your story, but it is not the whole story.

And recovery often involves reconnecting with the parts of yourself that were never lost, only overshadowed for a while.
_______________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Make a list of qualities that describe you, which have nothing to do with illness

๐ŸŒฟ Reflect on interests, values and passions that still matter to you

๐Ÿค Notice how often you define yourself through symptoms versus strengths

๐Ÿ“– Reconnect with activities, that remind you who you are beyond health challenges

๐Ÿซถ Speak to yourself as a whole person, not just a patient

๐ŸŒฑ Explore new aspects of identity, that may have emerged through your journey

โœจ Remember: "that growth can change you, without taking away who you are"

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

You are not the test results...the appointments...the symptoms or the diagnosis. Those things may shape parts of your journey, but they do not define your worth. Beneath every challenge, there remains a person with hopes, beliefs, strengths and dreams.

A person still becoming...still growing...still discovering who they are. And perhaps one of the greatest acts of healing, is remembering that you were always more than what happened to you.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œFor we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.โ€ โ€” Ephesians 2:10

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 17: Day 2 -   "Finding Meaning In Small Things" Purpose Does Not Have To Be Big To Be ImportantW...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 2 -

"Finding Meaning In Small Things"

Purpose Does Not Have To Be Big To Be Important

When people think about purpose, they often imagine something large. A mission, a calling or a major achievement. Something that changes lives...something that leaves a lasting mark...something significant.

And while purpose can look like that...it doesn't have to. Because some of the most meaningful moments in life are surprisingly small.

A conversation that helps someone feel less alone...a quiet walk that clears the mind...a hobby that brings peace...a moment of laughter...a kind word....or a simple act of care.

These things may not seem important at first. They may not appear impressive, they may never be recognised by anyone else. But meaning is not measured by size, it is measured by significance. And significance is often deeply personal.

What brings one person joy may seem ordinary to someone else.

What helps one person feel connected may seem insignificant from the outside. But that doesn't make it any less valuable.

Many people living with chronic illness place enormous pressure on themselves to find a grand purpose. To make up for lost time...to achieve something extraordinary. But life rarely works that way. Often, purpose grows quietly.

Through everyday moments...through small actions. Through the things we return to again and again because they make life feel worthwhile. Today is about recognising that meaning is not something reserved for special occasions. It can be found in the ordinary moments that make life feel alive.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Research in positive psychology suggests that wellbeing is influenced not only by major life achievements but also by the accumulation of meaningful everyday experiences.Activities that promote connection, enjoyment, creativity, gratitude and personal engagement.

This can activate reward pathways within the brain and contribute to psychological resilience. These smaller experiences often create a sense of coherence and purpose, supporting emotional wellbeing even during periods of physical limitation or ongoing health challenges.

Meaning and life satisfaction are frequently associated with consistent engagement in valued activities rather than isolated major accomplishments.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

Many people spend years searching for one big thing that will give life meaning. But often, meaning is already present in the small things we overlook. A favourite book...a cup of tea in a peaceful moment...a conversation that makes you smile.

Helping someone...learning something new...spending time in nature...creating something with your hands...listening to music that lifts your spirit. Purpose does not always arrive as a life-changing moment. Sometimes it appears quietly through the things that make you look forward to tomorrow.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Notice moments during the day that genuinely make you feel good

๐ŸŒฟ Spend more time with activities that leave you feeling fulfilled, rather than drained

๐Ÿค Stop dismissing small sources of joy as unimportant

๐Ÿ“– Keep a simple list, of things that bring meaning into your week

๐Ÿซถ Allow purpose to grow naturally, instead of forcing it

๐ŸŒฑ Explore new interests, hobbies, groups or communities that spark curiosity

โœจ Ask yourself: "What small thing makes life feel a little brighter today?"

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

Not every meaningful thing changes the world. Sometimes it changes a day...a moment...perspective...a heart.

And often, those quiet moments become the threads that weave a meaningful life together.

Because purpose is not always found in the extraordinary. Sometimes it is found in learning to notice what was already there.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œWhoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much.โ€ โ€” Luke 16:10

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol  Wk 17: Day 1 -  "Rediscovering What Matters Most" Reconnecting With Personal ValuesIllness has a wa...
18/06/2026

๐ŸŒฟ The Lyme Protocol Wk 17: Day 1 -

"Rediscovering What Matters Most"

Reconnecting With Personal Values

Illness has a way of narrowing focus, symptoms become thepriority, appointments become the routine. Energy becomes the resource that everything revolves around. And for a time, that is necessary because survival often requires attention.

But as stability begins to return, something else becomes possible. A different question begins to emerge.

Not: "How do I get through today?"

But: "What actually matters to me?"

Because beneath the symptoms...beneath the treatments...beneath the setbacks and recoveries...the person you were has never disappeared. Your values are still there, your interests are still there...the things that make you feel alive are still there.

They may have become quieter...they may have been pushed into the background, but they remain. And this is where many people begin to rediscover something important. Recovery is not just about returning to activities, it is about reconnecting with meaning.

The things that give life direction...the things that help decisions make sense...the things that remind you who you are beyond illness, because values act like a compass. When symptoms fluctuate...when uncertainty appears or when life becomes complicated.

They help guide the next step. Not perfectly, but consistently. Day 1 is about reconnecting with what matters most. Not what other people expect...not what illness demands, but what genuinely feels important to you.
_______________________________________________________

๐Ÿง  EDUCATIONAL AWARENESS:

Values-based living is associated with improved psychological wellbeing, resilience and long-term behavioural consistency. Research within behavioural psychology suggests that when actions align with personal values, individuals often experience greater motivation, meaning and emotional flexibility.

Chronic illness can shift attention toward symptom management and immediate challenges, sometimes creating distance from previously held priorities and sources of purpose.

Reconnecting with core values can help support decision-making, strengthen identity and improve overall quality of life, even when symptoms remain present.

๐ŸŒฟ In Simple Termsโ€ฆ

When you're dealing with illness for a long time, it's easy for life to become entirely focused on managing symptoms, appointments, medications and getting through each day.

Over time, you may lose touch with the things that once felt important to you.
Perhaps it was creativity, helping others, learning, faith, family, nature, community...or simply enjoying everyday moments.

Today is about gently reconnecting with those things again. Not because they remove illness, but because they remind you that you are more than the symptoms you carry and the challenges you face.
________________________________________________________

๐Ÿ› ๏ธ PRACTICAL TOOLS & NEXT STEPS:

๐Ÿง  Reflect on what felt meaningful to you before illness became the main focus

๐ŸŒฟ Write down three things that still matter deeply to you today

๐Ÿค Notice activities that leave you feeling fulfilled rather than simply occupied

๐Ÿ“– Spend time reconnecting with hobbies, interests, faith, or passions that resonate with you

๐Ÿซถ Allow your values to guide decisions more than expectations from others

๐ŸŒฑ Remember that purpose can exist at every level of health and capacity

โœจ Take one small action this week that reflects something important to you

๐Ÿงฉ REFLECTION NOTE:

Sometimes the most important things are not lost, they are simply waiting. Waiting beneath the noise...waiting beneath the struggle...waiting beneath the years spent surviving.

And when life begins to open again, you may discover that what truly matters has been there all along. Not demanding attention.

Simply waiting to be remembered.

โœ๏ธ SCRIPTURE:

โ€œWhere your treasure is, there your heart will be also.โ€ โ€” Matthew 6:21

Address

15 Henley Road
Portsmouth
PO40HS

Telephone

+447710441041

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when New Leaf Lyme Support & Publishing CIC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organisation

Send a message to New Leaf Lyme Support & Publishing CIC:

Share