With IPF, I’ve Had to Become Content With Spending Time Alone

Life is full of important reflections. As a child and teenager, I moved at lightning speed, never wanting to miss out on an opportunity. Since I was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 2016, I’ve been forced to slow down, as my declining lungs no longer allow me to operate at the same speed.

Slowing down has been one of the unexpected positives of this cruel lung disease.

In the past few years, I’ve spent more time reading. Sometimes my choice of content is books, while other times it’s websites, social media posts, or blogs. For the latter, I tend to gravitate toward quotes and other feel-good reads.

A friend recently sent me a newsletter by investor, entrepreneur, and creator Sahil Bloom, who examines survey data about how we spend our time. The data, reflected in graphs, show how much time Americans spend alone and with family, friends, partners, children, and co-workers over the course of their lives.

Time spent alone is the only graph that consistently trends upward with age. Bloom’s key takeaways from this data are to learn to embrace solitude and to flex your boredom muscle regularly.

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This certainly resonates with me, as many of us with IPF are forced to spend time alone. I can’t always keep up with my peers physically, so I may not be invited to social events or opt not to attend. Other times, the risk of exposure to illness is too high, preventing me from being with others.

Suffice to say, I’ve spent much more time on my own since my IPF diagnosis and I’m learning to be content with it, as Bloom advises.

With that said, I know many people struggle with spending time alone. They may experience deep loneliness or boredom and not know how to fill their time. I feel I have the best of both worlds: I’m lucky to have friends and family who keep me company when I need them, but I’m also OK on my own.

I can’t do some of the activities I enjoyed before IPF, as I no longer have the same physical stamina or strength. However, I can still keep my mind and body busy at home. Following are some activities I prioritize when I’m on my own.

Reading

Curling up with a book, a warm blanket, and a coffee (or tea) on the couch during winter calms me. I enjoy the physical contentment it brings, as my body isn’t working too hard and can rest to the best of its ability.

I’m also selective about which books I read. I’m sure data can support this, but I believe there’s a correlation between the information we take in and our mood. With a chronic illness like IPF, it’s easy to jeopardize our mental health, so I try to read feel-good stories or books about topics I’d like to learn more about.

Crafting

I’ve always enjoyed being creative — especially now that it keeps my mind and hands engaged in something that isn’t physically exhausting. I also enjoy the opportunity to create something for others or add handmade decor to my home.

Right now, I’m working hard on some Christmas gifts in my craft room. It’s a mess!

Cleaning

I have to be careful with cleaning because it takes a lot out of me physically. When I get the urge to clean, I select one room or space in my house and tackle it at a comfortable pace. Sometimes this simply means organizing or rearranging, but tidying a space can be good for our mental health, too.

Playing with my dog

Although my golden retriever is almost 8, she’s still playful. I have to be careful with how we play, but usually I get down on the floor and try to play tug of war with her. I’m not able to do this for long, as it’s physically taxing, but it inevitably makes me laugh, and both of us always feel better afterward.

As an IPF patient, what do you do when spending time alone? Please share in the comments.

Note: Pulmonary Fibrosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Pulmonary Fibrosis News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to pulmonary fibrosis.