Revelations of people who have been taught to value life by cancer

I start serious conversations faster

Matt Hall learned he had leukemia in 2006 when he was 32. Fortunately, his cancer was treatable. Taking medication, he could lead a relatively normal life, but this realization did not come immediately.

“I remember driving home from the doctor,” Matt says. - My wife was driving, and I was looking out the window at other cars and people. Life on the street went on, and mine seemed to be frozen in place."

After some time, when he realized that he would have to live with a chronic illness, Matt decided that he needed a new outlook on life.

“Now I have become more decisive and persistent, sometimes it even makes others feel awkward. When I want to do something, I tend to do it, says Matt. "And I also start serious conversations with people faster." Matt was able to found a joint business (Hill Investment Group) as well.

This intense pace of life has its drawbacks. “It can be very exhausting sometimes,” admits Matt. - You do not give yourself time to just relax or slowly delve into something. Perhaps I still need to work on this."

I am not doing self-flagellation

Journalist Erin Sammet learned about her illness when she was 23 and has been living with her for 15 years. Her attitude towards time has also changed, but not at all like Matt's.

“Before, I always tried to get the best out of every day, every hour,” says Erin. - I did something all the time, achieved something and worried about the future.

After I learned about my diagnosis, a lot has changed. I realized that none of this matters. I can lead a relatively normal life, I feel good, which is the most important thing, so you can relax.

I stopped waking up with the thought that today I have to conquer the whole world. Yes, I still have goals, but I don't go crazy over it. If I just want to watch a series in the evening, I do so and don't berate myself."

About her experience with cancer Erin.

I found a sense of peace

Laila Banihashemi, a neuroscientist and senior lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh, learned that she had cancer when she was 32, just a few months after getting married. Over the next year, she went through chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation.

“Before my illness, I devoted almost all of my time to work,” says Layla. - Of course, there were things that I wanted to do, but there was always something more important, so I just put them off for later. I was constantly worried about the future and because of this I did not notice other possibilities.

After radiation therapy, I had symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, and I began to look for different ways to recover on an emotional and spiritual level. I decided to study as a yoga instructor. I dreamed about it for a long time, but I never had enough time.

I worked on weekends, spent about 10 hours in the studio. It helped me find a sense of peace. Now I am much less worried about the future. I feel that I am on the right path, that everything in life will be as destined."

Everyone brings out their own lessons for themselves, but you can also follow the general idea: living with cancer, people understand that there is no point in wasting time and energy on something that does not seem important to us and does not bring joy. And don't be so worried about the future.