How Slowing Down Transformed My Life with Chronic Pain

It doesn’t snow often here on the island—at least, not since I set foot in this place two years ago. I try to remember the last two winters, but everything seems blurry. I was in survival mode then, and the seasons changed without noticing. When it snows, the world slows down. Roads become less accessible, people stay inside, and the rush of everyday life is suddenly paused. Everyone agrees to surrender.

And for the first time in a long time, I saw it for what it was—a reminder that slowing down isn’t a failure. It’s survival.

The Old Me: Pushing Through Chronic Pain

For years, I forced myself to keep pushing through the pain. Do you recognize that? I often think it's the only way of not giving up. People with chronic pain tend to prove to themselves that the pain they constantly have can't control them.

I'm not sure if we tell ourselves this lie to appear stronger or not to have to face reality; constant pain feels like it takes your life slowly away. Not only did I push myself through the pain, but I also forced myself to my 9-5 job: long commutes, long hours behind a desk and endless meetings. Chronic pain didn’t care about deadlines. I told myself to work hard, don’t complain, and be grateful.

But the truth? My body was breaking down. My mind was exhausted. I was showing up, but I wasn’t living. I wanted badly to change but struggled to make a change.

The Moment It Clicked

This snowfall made me stop and think. If an entire island can slow down and adapt to the changing conditions, why do we, as chronic pain survivors, keep pushing ourselves relentlessly?

Why do we act like pausing is failure? Why do we ignore what our bodies are screaming at us?

Is there another way? A way to work, live, and exist that doesn’t force us into constant exhaustion?

A New Way to Work & Live

Although I took a big step backwards two years ago to sit down with myself and redefine my life with chronic pain, I also took a step forward.

My left leg may not be the strongest anymore, but I can still decide which direction it goes, even at a slower pace. Now, I work remotely. I build my schedule around my energy levels, not vice versa. Some days, I work in the morning, some in the evening. Some days, I take breaks when my body tells me to—without guilt.

And guess what? I get more done now than I ever did in an office. Not only do I feel I have my place in society back, but people rely on my work, which feels amazing. Taking care of my clients and seeing their businesses grow gave me so much fulfilment, and the pain became even more manageable because of my mental state.

The Takeaway

Slowing down when having chronic pain isn’t a weakness. It’s not laziness. It’s necessary.

If you’re struggling with chronic pain and forcing yourself to keep up with a system that doesn’t work for you—stop. Find another way.

Build something that fits your life, not the other way around.

The snow showed me that the world doesn’t stop just because we slow down. And sometimes, that pause isn’t a setback—it’s the reset we need to move forward stronger.