Set a Date in the Future

When I am grieving, when I am getting over an operation, or when something has really upset me, I try to set a date in my mind by which it’s plausible that life will be better. For instance: I had two torn menisci, and I had both knees operated on at the same time. It was May. I was not happy. I set a date in my mind three months from the operation and kept telling myself to focus on that date: that by the end of August I would be pain-free and happy. It helped to get past the “here and now.” It’s also a good thing to do when your newborn has you completely sleep-deprived or when your five-year-old has a broken leg in a cast and is driving you nuts. Set a date in the not-too-distant future, and look forward to it. If it’s feasible, plan something you will enjoy doing, from a simple walk on the beach to a major project or even a vacation. Having a goal will make the wait more bearable and possibly more productive.