Goal Setting for Patients with Chronic Pain
Why Is Goal Setting Important for Patients with Chronic Pain?
Whether your pain stems from injury, surgery,fibromyalgia, arthritis, or lipedema — pain is pain. It disrupts your routines, saps your energy, and can make something as simple as setting a New Year’s Resolution feel overwhelming.
But here’s the truth: goal setting isn’t just possible when you live with chronic pain—it’s essential. Setting meaningful, realistic goals gives you back something pain often steals: a sense of control, purpose, and progress. Each step forward, no matter how small, is proof that you are not defined by your pain. Here are some helpful tips for setting goals that work with you—not against you—when living with chronic pain:
1. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others
We know it’s easier said than done—but try to avoid comparing your journey with anyone else’s. No two people experience pain the same way. Different conditions, tolerances, and personalities all influence how pain shows up in daily life. Before you set a goal, take time to reflect on what’s reasonable and meaningful for you. Just because something looks easy for someone else doesn’t mean it’s right for your path. Your story is uniquely yours.
2. Choose Goals That Matter to You
Don’t waste energy chasing goals you’re not invested in. When you live with chronic pain, your time and energy are especially precious.
Choose goals that are functional, specific, and personal. Ask yourself:
- “Why does this goal matter to me?”
- “What difference will it make in my life?”
Still not sure where to begin? Talk to your therapist. They can help you find meaningful goals that fit your current abilities—and your dreams.
3. Break Goals Into Smaller, Doable Steps
Start with the big picture. Maybe you want to:
- Return to work
- Walk for 30 minutes without stopping
- Manage stress better
- Get back to a hobby you love
Now break that big goal into smaller steps. For example, if your goal is to play the piano again, your smaller steps might be:
- Do your home exercise program to improve hand mobility
- Set a regular time each week to practice
- Get your piano tuned or cleaned
- Pick out new music that inspires you
Each mini-goal brings you one step closer—and each one is worth celebrating.
4. Be Kind to Yourself Along the Way
Reaching a goal is challenging for anyone. Add chronic pain to the mix, and some days will feel especially tough. Setbacks don’t mean failure. They’re a natural part of the process. Give yourself grace. Rest when you need to. Adjust your goals when your body asks you to. And most of all—celebrate the effort, not just the outcome. You’re doing something brave simply by trying.
“The only goals you don’t achieve in life are the goals you don’t set.”
– Matthew Fox
A Final Word: Resolutions With a Purpose
For people living with chronic pain, setting goals—whether at New Year’s or any time of year—can restore confidence, bring structure back into your day, and remind you that you are still steering the ship.
So why not give it a try? Set a goal that feels right for you. Start small. Be patient. And give yourself permission to grow. You might just be surprised at what you can achieve—and what you’ll learn along the way.