Daily Life with Rheumatoid Arthritis: Redefining "Fine"

Do you struggle with rheumatoid arthritis? How do you answer the questions of concerned family members and friends? How do you respond to the question "how are you today?"

For those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis normal day to day activities are often difficult if not impossible. Little things like opening jars or a soda bottle may be painful, impossible without assistance, or even impossible regardless of assistance.

Perhaps a "good day" is one where you can just get out of bed on your own. Or maybe a "good day" is one free from pain and where you were able to accomplish all your basic tasks. So in answer to the question "how are you today?" do you give those kinds of details?

Some have found that to cope with rheumatoid arthritis without becoming (or just sounding) so negative that no one wants to ask, it is necessary to redefine the word "fine". The normal response to "how are you today?" is the reply "I'm fine." So as the disease varies in severity level, simply redefine "fine." If, at this stage, a "good day" is just being able to get out of bed, then that becomes "fine." If the ability to finish all your tasks of the day is a "good day" then that becomes "fine." Maybe a "good day" is one that is free of pain so that becomes the standard for "fine."

By redefining what "fine" is, you allow yourself to have a positive outlook about those small accomplishments. You still have room to admit to having problems like everyone does without dwelling on the negative aspects of rheumatoid arthritis that are common to the disease.

Find ways to "look on the bright side" each day and you will have good positive answers to the questions of family and friends who truly want to know "how are you today?"