Living with Parkinson’s: finding my rhythm, one day at a time

Hello everyone,

In the earlier posts, I’ve shared the big milestones in my Parkinson’s journey – noticing the first signs, receiving my diagnosis, and getting started with treatment. Today I want to talk about the part that happens around those milestones – living with Parkinson’s every day.

Parkinson’s has changed my timeline and ambition

Living with Parkinson’s has meant accepting that some things in my life happened earlier than I expected. I retired earlier than I would have otherwise. And stepping into early retirement was difficult, as working has been very important to me. I still miss working in sales, and every now and then, I do some sales consultancy – as much as my body lets me. And honestly, at times it can feel like my ageing is “accelerated” — like I’m 10–15 years ahead of my age.

At the same time, I try to keep perspective. Many people over 50 live with something. If you have “only one” major health issue, you can almost call yourself lucky. But Parkinson’s has one extra challenge: uncertainty. It is very difficult to monitor and predict the progression of the disease. Without that information, it’s easy to wonder what the future will look like.

Another thing Parkinson’s has shaped is my relationship with ambition. Before, I had big goals and I pushed hard. I still like to achieve things — but I’ve learned to be more selective. Sometimes I ask myself: Is this realistic? Is it worth the cost to my body?

Good days and “slow-motion” days

It’s been more than a decade since my diagnosis, and I’ve learned one thing: Parkinson’s is not a steady experience. Even though I try to keep my daily routines the same, my body’s response can vary greatly. Thus, some days are good and some days are not so good.

A good day for me is one when my symptoms are well-controlled, and I can be active. For example, the other day, I woke up early. In the morning, I did a light karate session, then went to lunch with my karate friends. During the afternoon, I taught two Asahi lessons in different areas of the Helsinki region. I managed to do everything I planned, so it was a good day for me.

And then there are not-so-good days – days that are more in slow motion. These are days when I have less energy. I still function, but my engine is not the same, and I need more rest. Over the years, I have learned to accept those days and allow my body and mind to recover. I take time when I need it, sometimes just sitting and waiting is the best move, and sometimes a nap helps. When my mind feels tired but I still want to keep going, I do “no-brainer tasks”, like carefully unloading the dishwasher. It helps me stay active without draining myself.

From Asahi, I’ve adapted short calming exercises into my routine. 5-10 minute meditations help me to reduce stress, stopping me from adding extra tension on top of symptoms.

Planning has become one of my best tools

One of the most useful things I’ve learned is planning buffers. If I know something special is coming up tomorrow, I try to make today and the day after lighter. Two busy days in a row can be manageable, but when a third day fills up unexpectedly, that’s when things get harder.

And stress is tricky, because it isn’t only “bad stress.” Even positive excitement – like a friend visiting – can make symptoms show up more strongly. My nervous system reacts to intensity, not to whether something is good or bad.

But living with Parkinson’s has taught me something simple: You can spend time worrying about everything or enjoying what you can. It’s not always easy, and I don’t succeed every day. But it’s still a choice I try to make.

Until next time,
Riaz

Riaz Zabihian

Riaz is Adamant Health's patient voice. He has been living with Parkinson’s disease for over a decade. In his blog, Riaz will share his personal experience of life with Parkinson's disease to provide support, inspiration, and practical advice for others affected by the condition.