A Guide to Cultivating a Helpful Mindset with Chronic Kidney Disease
Living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can feel overwhelming. From managing the physical symptoms to adjusting your lifestyle, it’s natural to feel a range of emotions. Recognizing the mental health challenges that come with CKD is the first step toward finding a way forward.
We recently hosted a CKD Workshop led by Elle Lee, LCSW. During the session, Elle guided participants through various activities designed to foster a positive and resilient mindset while navigating the challenges of living with CKD. Check out the video below, or explore the step-by-step summary for key takeaways!
Understanding the Multiple Uncertainties of CKD
Chronic Kidney Disease brings uncertainties that can affect every aspect of your life:
Disease progression: How will CKD progress over time? What does the short-term and long-term outlook look like?
Lifestyle adjustments: Changes in diet, medication management, and daily routines are often necessary.
Loss and role shifts: Loss of income or independence, along with changing roles in your career and family, can feel destabilizing.
Acknowledging these uncertainties is crucial to developing strategies for coping with them.
Quick Reflection: Navigating Uncertainty
Take a moment to reflect on this question:
"How has uncertainty made it difficult for you to focus on what truly matters to you?"
Write down your thoughts. What areas of your life feel the most uncertain? How does this impact your ability to focus on meaningful actions? This brief exercise helps pinpoint where uncertainty may be holding you back.
Activity 1: Identifying Behaviors
Download the Identifying Behaviors Worksheet to follow along with this activity.
This worksheet is designed to help you understand the patterns of your daily actions and behaviors. It includes three interconnected activities to guide your reflection and practice:
1. Identifying Values-Driven and Suffering Behaviors
Values-driven behaviors: Write down actions or habits that reflect your core values and contribute to your well-being.
Suffering behaviors: Identify behaviors that feel automatic or detrimental and pull you away from what truly matters.
2. Self-Reflection
Once you’ve identified your behaviors, consider these questions:
Which behaviors are more prevalent in your daily life: values-driven or suffering?
Reflect on specific actions from today (e.g., drinking coffee, running errands, or scrolling through your phone). Were these actions meaningful or autopilot responses?
Ask yourself: What happens when you stay on autopilot in suffering behaviors? How does this affect your mental and emotional well-being?
3. The Here and Now Practice
To break free from autopilot, connect with the present moment using your five senses:
Activity:
Pick up an object nearby.
Spend one minute observing it using your senses:
Sight: What do you see?
Touch: How does it feel?
Sound: Does it make a noise?
Smell: Does it have a scent?
Taste (if applicable): What does it taste like?
Reflect on how this practice brought you into the present moment.
We’ve also included examples from past participants to guide you in identifying values and behaviors, in case you need inspiration or clarification.
Activity 2: Values Identification
Download the Values Identification Worksheet to help you clarify your priorities and reflect on what matters most.
This worksheet is designed to help you identify what truly matters to you. Read through the provided list of values and select the ones that resonate most with you. Reflect on these questions:
Why is this value important to you?
How does this value guide your decisions or give your life meaning?
Once you’ve selected your values, take time to write about why they matter to you. This will help clarify your priorities and set the foundation for meaningful action.
Activity 3: Action Planning
Download the Action Planning Worksheet to create a small, actionable step that aligns with your values.
Now that you’ve identified your values, it’s time to create an action plan:
Choose one value from your list.
Think of one small, achievable step you can take today to live in alignment with this value.
Write down this step and commit to taking action. Small, consistent actions can lead to meaningful change over time.
Conclusion
Navigating the challenges of CKD can feel daunting, but focusing on your values and staying present can help you regain a sense of control and purpose. By identifying what matters most, breaking free from autopilot behaviors, and committing to small, intentional actions, you can build a life that feels more aligned and meaningful—even in the face of uncertainty.
