Preparing for the New Year with Post Concussion Syndrome
Happy New Year...well, scratch that!
Let's not put so much pressure on ONE day of the year! Yes, maybe it is exciting for you, and that's fantastic, but putting too much pressure on a specific date when living with post-concussion syndrome can be very emotional.
I used to get mad another year had gone by, and I still couldn't do what I wanted. How could this be? I wanted to live my life, but I learned that I could live my life anyway; it was just a different life than I had expected! But different didn't have to mean worse.
A brain injury's healing rate continues to be a mystery to many doctors! We all heal at different rates, so do your best not to be discouraged by others who are not healing much or that friend who's better in a matter of weeks.
Try Not to Compare
As people we compare, one of my favourite quotes from The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga and Ichiro Kishimi.
"It does not matter if one is trying to walk in front of others or walk behind them. It is as if we are moving through a flat space that has no vertical axis.
We do not walk in order to compete with someone. It is in trying to progress past who one is now that there is value." - Ichiro Kishimi
We compare with others, and we compare with ourselves. When you reflect on the last year, don't just look at the bad but remember the good! This year was so unusual for many, with COVID 19 among us, including myself. I started Post Concussion Inc because I had time to go through my thoughts on how I wanted to help the brain injury community! I made half of a blanket that's still not finished, but that's okay because it started to get warm out, so I was spending my time outside instead. I attempted to learn how to play piano because I LOVE the sound but realized I should probably stick to listening! I spent my time enjoying slowing down and not always being in such a hurry to get to one place and the next. I learned that I still can't read books since I read one in a day and spent over a week paying for it with a brutal headache in bed. So I decided to download more audiobooks.
We can't look at everything with a positive outlook, though, and I get that. I used to be heavily depressed, and I understand how sometimes, not one thing can seem like it's any good in any way, so you stick on a happy face and fake it. So let's take a step back; we can write down a few things that are on your mind from the past year and see if we can add even just the slightest amount of positivity. Some times we need to get out of our box and think a little differently! Just next week, keep an eye out for our article on writing a letter to the future you!
If you are Struggling Mentally
Appreciate that you made it and are still breathing. I will share this quote again and again.
"Sometimes it's okay if the only thing you did today was breathe."
Some ideas you may want to look into
Talk to someone, a friend or a professional!
Start a journal.
Reflect on the good!
Reach out here.
Spend some time outdoors, even if it's cold!
Remember not to blame yourself for your injury, accidents happen, or we get competitive and don't know how to stop. Thinking "What If?" is never a good choice. Take everything one day at a time; you don't need to stress about the whole new year! How about just tackle tomorrow and then the day after that.
If you Aren't Struggling
I am so happy for you (I'm smiling writing this) even if you have never struggled in the past! If you have, I am so proud and amazed by your accomplishment. Fighting mental health takes all of your strength, and I am inspired by it. Keep at it, and I hope you enjoy the next year the best you can!
2021 is only a few days away! I am so excited to spread awareness with you of this invisible injury. So be sure to share our page so we can reach and educate as many people as possible.
One day at a time,
Bella
