Beyond "It Is What It Is" – Reclaiming Your 2026

www.ipainmed.com | January 9, 2026

We’ve all said it. When a recovery feels too slow, or when a chronic condition like neuropathy flares up for the third time in a week, we shrug our shoulders and say: "It is what it is."

In small doses, this phrase is a survival mechanism. It’s a way to accept a difficult reality so we don't feel overwhelmed. But as we enter January—a month often defined by cold weather and a natural dip in activity—"it is what it is" can become a dangerous trap. It shifts from a tool for acceptance into a ceiling that limits your potential for healing.

The Cycle of Inactivity

January is a "perfect storm" for pain. If you are managing existing health issues—perhaps a heart condition, respiratory limits, or the lingering fatigue of a late-year surgery—your instinct is to rest.

However, the body operates on a "use it or lose it" principle. When activity levels drop, muscles weaken and joints lose their lubrication. This makes movement even more painful the next time you try it, leading to further inactivity. This cycle is how "it is what it is" becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy of decline.

Acceptance vs. Resignation

To get ahead of the pain this year, we have to distinguish between two mindsets:

• Acceptance: "I have neuropathy in my feet today, so I need to be mindful of how I move." (This is a fact-based assessment).
• Resignation: "I have neuropathy, so I’ll never be able to walk for exercise again." (This is a narrative that stops progress).

When we resign ourselves to pain, we stop looking for the "1% wins"—those tiny adjustments in nutrition, hydration, or micro-movements that eventually add up to a significant recovery.

Breaking the Ceiling in 2026

How do we move past the "it is what it is" mindset when the pain feels very real?

1. Shift to "It Is What It Is Right Now": Adding those two words to the end of the sentence changes everything. It acknowledges your current struggle while leaving the door open for improvement tomorrow.
2. Focus on Function, Not Perfection: Don't measure your success by the total absence of pain. Measure it by what you can do. Can you stand for five minutes longer while making tea? Can you walk to the end of the driveway? These functional victories are the building blocks of healing.
3. The "Slow is Fast" Approach: Especially for those healing after surgery, the temptation is to do nothing or do everything. The middle path—slow, consistent, intentional movement—is actually the fastest way to permanent relief.

Your January Jumpstart

You don't have to accept a life of increasing limitations. Whether you are navigating the complexities of nerve pain or the "stiff" recovery of a recent procedure, there is always a next step.

Don’t let the January chill freeze your progress. Let’s look at your health not as a fixed state, but as a journey that is still moving forward.

Need more help, or thinking about pain management to better 2026?

Contact us at 917.686.0987