Making changes while navigating cancer can be difficult
July 8, 2026
Hello Thrivers!
A cancer diagnosis often invites us to make meaningful changes in how we live, care for ourselves, and spend our energy. Yet recognizing the need for change is only the beginning. The more challenging—and often more important—work is discerning what changes will truly support our healing and then finding a sustainable way to begin.
Awareness alone does not create transformation. We can read, research, plan, and think deeply about what might help us, but real progress begins when we put what we know into practice. It is not what we intend to do that changes our lives; it is what we consistently implement.
A strong emotional connection to the outcome can provide the motivation we need to move from intention into action. Most of us naturally gravitate toward what feels familiar and comfortable, especially during times of stress. But when we are deeply connected to a vision of the future we want—more time, more peace, more presence, more vitality—that vision can become a compelling reason to choose growth, even when it feels uncomfortable.
That said, making changes while navigating cancer can be difficult, emotional, and time-consuming. Fear, uncertainty, fatigue, and overwhelm can keep us stuck, even when we genuinely want to move forward. If that is where you find yourself, please meet yourself with compassion. Being stuck does not mean you are failing; it may simply mean your nervous system is asking for safety, support, and smaller steps.
Here are a few practical ways to begin creating meaningful, manageable changes:
Clarify the vision of the future you deeply want—one that matters more than short-term comfort or old patterns.
Align your short-term choices with that longer-term vision, even if you begin with very small steps.
Reflect on the legacy you want to create and how you want to use the time, energy, and attention available to you.
Acknowledge fear, uncertainty, and discomfort without allowing them to make every decision for you.
Gently release low-value activities that drain your time or energy without supporting your healing or well-being.
Reprioritize yourself and your self-care—not as an indulgence, but as a necessary part of your healing plan.
Take consistent, compassionate action, trusting that small steps repeated over time can create meaningful change.
If you would like support turning insight into action, health coaching may be a helpful next step. I currently have two openings in August for women navigating a stage IV diagnosis. Schedule your Discovery Session today, and please be sure to complete the application.
In peace, love and health,
Karla
Inspiration
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.”
~Aristotle
Reflection prompt: “What is one small choice I can make today that my future self will thank me for?”
Resources
Atomic Habits by James ClearA practical, accessible book about how small habits compound into meaningful change.
Tiny Habits by BJ FoggA good choice for those who may feel overwhelmed or fatigued. The book focuses on starting very small.
Just for Fun
Take yourself on a “future self mini-date” this week. Choose one small, kind action your future self will thank you for—fresh flowers on the counter, a beautiful cup of tea, a short walk in the sunshine, a nourishing snack prepped ahead, or a playlist that makes you smile. Keep it simple, joyful, and doable.
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