The Importance of “Things to Look Forward To”

By Carole McCue

2 min read

A blood cancer survivor may experience a wide range of emotions. I experienced many emotions this past year intensified as a cancer survivor dealing with my husband’s cancer diagnosis, surgery, and chemotherapy.

Dreading winter and upcoming tests

I found myself in a "funk" and really dreading this winter. I needed something to lift my spirits. Additionally, my annual CAT scan is scheduled at this time which causes me “scan-xiety."

Since life can get us down in more ways than one, a strategy to get through troubles is by having something to look forward to.

Looking forward to even the smallest parts of your day can improve your outlook on life.

Create small activities that may enhance your day

Try to find a purpose in your day.

Add an upcoming movie, TV series or book to your calendar. For example, my favorite romance series has a new book coming out in November which I have added to my calendar as well as start dates of my favorite TV shows.
Do something special on a weekend. We started “date night”, a lovely dinner at our favorite restaurant.
Make plans with a dear friend. This week we had an unexpected visit with our special friends It lifted my spirits. Planning a day trip with a good friend makes me feel like I am living rather than just existing.
Do things that “you love”. Sitting in your yard, walking on the beach, shopping. I enjoy reading in my backyard accompanied by my dog.
Try a new experience. Something you normally would not do.
Schedule regular self-help rituals. Manicure, massage, haircut, yoga classes. Each of these activities are fun and provide comfort. I recently joined a massage club which allows me to enjoy a massage every month. I find this so relaxing.
Plan for situations rather than waiting for them to happen.

Create your own activity

Look at what you find as fun and put your time and energy toward making it happen.

Put together an Entertainment calendar. Include concerts, movies etc. I started a plan for each month, a day trip this month to Cape May with friends, a visit with children next month and a family Christmas party here in early December.
Plan a dream vacation. Thanks to my phenomenal daughter-in-law who recognized our difficulty in planning a vacation. She volunteered to care for our dog so that we can plan a winter vacation. I am blessed to have such a caring person in my life. This vacation combined with my daily list of activities has helped greatly improve my mood and outlook.

The more you practice giving yourself something to look forward to, the more life will be awesome. You have an abundance of good things to consider. Write down your ideal day and book in a few things to look forward to.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Blood-Cancer.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Dennis Golden Moderator
I so love your suggestion on focusing on positives and "looking forward" things in life vs focusing on the negative emotions. The key I believe is to open yourself up to the possibilities that surround your life every day. Without getting into a lot of detail, it was not quite a year ago that my wife of 57 years died unexpectedly - My life and world fell apart. Her passing came right after my multiple bouts with several different cancers and covid pneumonia. I felt like a dark dust cloud was following me around - sort of like the Charlie Brown cartoon character Pig Pen. Then one day on a pure whim I began looking at the possibility of leaving Connecticut and moving closer to family in VA. In the process I began to feel good about the future. Then it happened. Over Christmas I came across a contractor who was building exactly the kind of home I had imagined. And it was not far from my daughter. Today almost a year later - I am packing up for a move,I will be closing on that new home in a few months, and along the way, a new love has come into my life. And even that happened because of following up on a simple smile offered in a local coffee shop on a cold wet morning. Positive appears to attract positives and for me after 9 years of negatives the new list of positives goes on and on. None of it was planned - it all happened because - I was willing to take the first step and look for ONE small thing to look forward to. After that the floodgates just opened up. No matter where you are in this journey with blood-cancer you owe it to yourself to find that one small thing that can bring you a moment of joy in a future Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
Dennis Golden Moderator
I so love your suggestion on focusing on positives and "looking forward" things in life vs focusing on the negative emotions. The key I believe is to open yourself up to the possibilities that surround your life every day. Without getting into a lot of detail, it was not quite a year ago that my wife of 57 years died unexpectedly - My life and world fell apart. Her passing came right after my multiple bouts with several different cancers and covid pneumonia. I felt like a dark dust cloud was following me around - sort of like the Charlie Brown cartoon character Pig Pen. Then one day on a pure whim I began looking at the possibility of leaving Connecticut and moving closer to family in VA. In the process I began to feel good about the future. Then it happened. Over Christmas I came across a contractor who was building exactly the kind of home I had imagined. And it was not far from my daughter. Today almost a year later - I am packing up for a move,I will be closing on that new home in a few months, and along the way, a new love has come into my life. And even that happened because of following up on a simple smile offered in a local coffee shop on a cold wet morning. Positive appears to attract positives and for me after 9 years of negatives the new list of positives goes on and on. None of it was planned - it all happened because - I was willing to take the first step and look for ONE small thing to look forward to. After that the floodgates just opened up. No matter where you are in this journey with blood-cancer you owe it to yourself to find that one small thing that can bring you a moment of joy in a future Dennis(Blood-Cancer.com TEAM)
1. Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Dennis Golden" user-id="3641422"/> I’m so happy for you. I knew about the move, but not your new love. Here’s to a happy future! Ann (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
2. Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Dennis Golden" user-id="3641422"/> Hoping everything works out well on this new journey Dennis!
Angie Netterville Moderator & Contributor
What a great plan to schedule things to look forward to! I'm sure that would be helpful for all of us. And I am going to have to use the term "Scanxiety" . Brilliant! I'm sure it's difficult to watch your husband go down a road you've already taken. But it sounds like you are a wonderful example for him, and for the rest of us! Wishing you and your husband health and happiness.
Paula Rosado Moderator
I totally agree with you <inline-mention username="Carole McCue" user-id="3639606"/>. I have made it a habit to do something that I appreciate after each and every doc appt, test or scan. It can be as simple as a coffee break or a lunch out. I was really happy the day I was able to leave the hospital and feed the ducks at the pond nearby. In my memory (and in my nervous system) the planned reward becomes more important than the anxiety of the event itself. I place my thoughts on what I will do for myself afterward. Even if it's just a nice, warm bath and a new fluffy towel. Seriously! It's healing.
Ann Harper Moderator & Contributor
<inline-mention username="Carole McCue" user-id="3639606"/> I love your suggestions and totally agree. We need to look for the positives each day and then even create a few for ourselves. It’s definitely better than the alternative. A. (Blood-Cancer.com Team member)
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo Moderator & Contributor
Loved this post! It really is so important to try and remove ourselves from that rut. You mentioned some great suggestions too! Fridays and Saturdays is either movie night or something planned for those days that bring life to a week that may have been long and trying. There's always a positive in something despite whatever is going on. Best!