For National Cancer Survivor Month this June, consider creating some kind of memorial for your or someone else’s cancer journey.
According to the American Cancer Society, a cancer survivor is “anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer no matter where they are in the course of their disease.”
The word survivor often suggests completion, so it’s important to validate the ongoing and far-reaching implications of having, or having had, cancer. Moving through any stage of cancer–whether active, remitted, or totally eradicated–is significant.
Even if you’re still going through treatment, it could be powerful to memorialize your journey in some marked way by doing something extra kind for yourself or sharing your story.
Be Kind to Yourself
Cancer isn’t what anybody wants, so in the wake of dealing with something you didn’t ask for, shift your focus entirely. Bring attention to things you do want. Whether it’s small or big, consider naming your desires and allowing yourself to pursue some of them if you can.
From eating some delicious chocolate to getting a new haircut, just say yes! And for bigger things like vacations you’ve always wanted to take or bigger purchases for your home, why not at least explore if these things are possible. Investing in something you’ve always wanted could be a healing thing to do, during or after something incredibly difficult.
Tangible Memorials
Add some new beauty to your home as an act of remembering. Redecorate a room or buy a new piece of art to symbolize beauty emerging from the ashes.
If you love your outdoor space, a For the Girls pink wind chime would be a beautiful tribute to your journey while joining with the collective fight to find a cure. A portion of every wind chime purchase is donated to breast cancer research and treatment.
Share Your Story
Finding one’s voice through expression is healing for the person sharing and powerful for the ones listening. And, there are so many ways to do this! You can do this through simple conversation with your loved ones, or you can write something to publish online for the masses.
And beyond words, you can use any kind of art or act of creation to tell your story as well–through food, painting, jewelry making, singing, music, dance, and even the clothes you wear. Let’s forget the cancer, but let’s never forget the ways you and your story were shaped because of it. This June, consider memorializing your survivorship in a way that means something to you and reminds you of how much your life matters.