Lyme Disease Tip Summary:

Dan Wagner shares a powerful message for anyone navigating life with Lyme: don’t stop doing what you love – just adapt it.

1. Start Small and Rebuild Momentum

   • When Dan was bedridden, he couldn’t go for a walk around the block.

   • So he started with what he could do—walking to the mailbox. Then down the street. Then around the neighborhood.

   • Each small step built momentum, and with it, confidence.

2. Let Joy Be a Distraction

   • Focusing on things he enjoyed helped Dan shift attention away from symptoms and treatment stress.

   • Staying engaged in hobbies became a form of therapy and motivation.

3. Find New Passions or Modify Old Ones

   • If you can’t do what you used to love in the same way, adapt it or find new low-impact joys.

   • Dan recommends creative, calming hobbies like:

     • 🎨 Watercolors or sketching

     • 🧩 Puzzles and crafts

     • 🏕️ Easy nature time, like camping or short hikes

His message is simple and powerful: your identity and joy don’t end with a diagnosis – sometimes they just shift.

“All these things help distract you and just keep you going. I can’t recommend it enough – don’t forget to do the things that you love.” – Dan Wagner

Watch Video:

Video Transcript:
“Hey, everybody, Dan Wagner here. For my hack for the Tick Boot Camp Hackathon this May, my biggest tip is: don’t stop doing what you love. I was bedridden for a while, and I love being outdoors, doing things like hiking and camping—but I couldn’t even walk down the street. So instead, I started small. I walked to the mailbox. Then I walked to the end of the street. Eventually, I worked up to walking around the neighborhood, going camping, and hiking again. Little by little, you build momentum. That momentum builds confidence, and it also distracts you from symptoms and treatments. It’s something I think everyone should do—go out and do the things you love. And if you can’t do exactly what you used to, find new hobbies. Try something low-impact like watercolor, sketching, crafts, or puzzles. All of these things help distract you and keep you going. I can’t recommend it enough—don’t forget to do the things that bring you joy.” – Dan Wagner