Hi Mikayla and all -
One thing I learned was that I am more than my pain, and got sick of letting pain define me. Cognitive behavioral therapy helped teach that I was still a person with abilities and interests, and could choose to not be defined by pain by shifting focus, mindset and working towards mindfulness and gratitude. I learned that I could teach my friends and family how I wanted to be spoken to. For example, I asked them to stop asking me how I was "feeling" and start asking me how I was "doing". Living with chronic pain means I pretty much "feel" poor most of the time so asking how I was feeling just kept "accessing the network" of pain pathways and did me no good. Now when asked how I'm doing (depending on if it's my close person or not) I may acknowledge I'm having a difficult day, without unloading the kitchen sink of pain behaviors, or say I'm okay, or I'm well, then either shift to talk about the other person or bring up a positive about my life, family, the weather, a movie - whatever I can find in that moment that brings my mind away from pain and allows me to be an active participant with a positive mindset. In the end its everyone's individual choice as to how to respond to questions, just remember you get out of it what you put in to it. If change never happens then you stay the same.

Here's a mantra (and I have many) that really helps keep me on the path towards change...