Your whole world takes a dramatic shift once you have a cancer diagnosis. Suddenly, your energy, routines, and priorities are different. Even simple day to day activities might start to feel overwhelming.

Sometimes, it may feel impossible to balance cancer treatment, work, and personal life at the same time. But it can be done. It’s all about managing your expectations, understanding your limits, and creating a sustainable system around that.

Here are some tips to do this and stay grounded during treatment.

Adjust your expectations

When you’re living with cancer, things often don’t go back to the way they were before. This happens even if cancer treatments have ended. Before you rush into creating a new routine, it’s good to adjust your expectations to set appropriate goals and a new life rhythm:

• Set realistic goals. Redefine success for your present moment. It might be heading back to work, showing up for a family meal, or simply getting through treatment day by day. Everyone’s goals are different.

• Be flexible. Expect your energy to ebb and flow each day and from moment to moment. You might be energized in the morning, while exhausted by the afternoon. Allow yourself to rest without guilt.

• Celebrate small wins. Every step forward, small or big, is worth celebrating. Finishing a project, attending a class, or even taking a walk around the block are all signs of strength.

• Speak to your healthcare team. Their medical expertise and familiarity with your specific health situation make them the perfect people to give you information about what to expect and how to manage the side effects of treatment. They can even help refer you to a social worker or counselor to address mental health conditions.

• Join a support group. Speaking to other cancer survivors isn’t just for emotional support. They’ve walked a similar journey to you, and can provide helpful tips on balancing life, work, and treatment.

At home: Roles and routine

Your role in the household, relationship dynamics, and daily routines will need rethinking and adjustment. Here are some ideas for creating rhythms to make your home a safe space for rest and restoration:

• Let self-care reshape your routine. Healing should be your top priority as you figure out your new rhythm. Things to prioritize include proper nutrition, hydration, and habits that ease fatigue and lower stress (including walking, journaling, or simply taking a nap). Ease off on housework and other less important responsibilities.

• Rebalance responsibilities without guilt. You might not be able to handle everything you once did, and that’s to be expected. Share or delegate household tasks with a family member, and learn to accept help from others.

• Communicate with loved ones. Cancer can shift household roles and expectations, and that’s okay. The National Cancer Institute suggests being honest about what you can and can’t do and asking for help when needed. Share how you’re feeling physically and emotionally to avoid misunderstandings.

At work: Goals, boundaries, and expectations

Managing cancer treatment alongside work is possible as long as you make accommodations to support your changing health and energy needs. Here are some ideas to honor your personal needs while staying sustainably engaged at work:

• Set boundaries to protect energy. Be transparent about your hours, availability, and limits. Schedule focused work during high-energy times and plan breaks when fatigue hits. Boundaries help you manage energy without guilt and prevent work from impeding your recovery.

• Adjust goals to your current capacity. Redefine success based on your health condition and energy levels. Focusing on small, achievable tasks rather than large projects can make things more manageable while reducing stress.

• Communicate expectations openly. Spend time talking to your manager about what’s working and what isn’t. The American Cancer Society suggests discussing accommodations like flexible hours, remote work, or adjusted deadlines to make the transition easier. Early, honest conversations help to prevent misunderstandings.

Staying grounded through cancer

Remember that there is no wrong decision when it comes to balancing life, work, and cancer. It’s all about considering your unique circumstances and health situation. Staying grounded doesn’t mean you need to keep up with everything at all times after you’ve come up with a plan. Stay flexible and give yourself permission to rest and receive support each day.