I was blessed to see Nik Wallenda (the famous tightrope walker who has walked across the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, and Times Square) perform while I was on vacation.
 
As impressive as Nik's balancing skill was the message he shared about not giving up and overcoming fear.
 
He almost gave up tightrope walking after a 25-foot fall during a 2017 rehearsal for an eight-person pyramid routine seriously injured five of his friends and family members. Luckily, Nik and two others were able to catch the rope and avoid falling.
 
Like Nik, it’s important for us to overcome any fears we may have about pain and keep moving forward.
 
You can see the accident and learn more here.
 
Related resources

• Balance: A Story of Faith, Family, and Life on the Line (Nik Wallenda)
• Fear of Pain as a Prognostic Factor in Chronic Pain: Conceptual Models, Assessment, and Treatment Implications
  
• Hurt doesn’t always me harm (my blog)
• Pain and Me: Tamar Pincus talks about chronic pain, acceptance, and commitment (3:06)

It’s common for patients to talk about pain levels and treatments with family and friends. Although talking about pain can help us validate our experience, it can actually worsen our symptoms by adding more attention to the pain.

You can’t make positive steps in your life when surrounded by negativity 
Stay away from people who only want to complain about pain, and avoid sharing the pain with others unless there is a positive goal associated with the conversation. Talk instead about things you enjoy and find meaningful. Fill your life with joy and hope!

It’s natural for people to ask about the pain, but you have the power to change the discussion. Thank them for asking but explain that you’d rather focus on something else. Suggest a more life-affirming topic of conversation. Maybe say something like, “I live with chronic pain but have learned to live well despite it and prefer talking about other things that we both find more meaningful and enjoyable. Can we please change the conversation.”

I choose not to talk about the chronic pain I feel to myself or with others, including my doctors, unless there is a new symptom that needs acute treatment.

Learn more

• Should You Stop Talking About Your Pain? (Dr. Evan Parks)
• Reducing Pain Talk: Coping with Pain Series (Institute for Chronic Pain)