We all hope for quick fixes when things go wrong. Whether it’s physical healing after an injury or emotional recovery after a tough time, we want to bounce back quickly and move on. But sometimes, healing takes longer than we expect, and the road back to feeling “normal” is anything but smooth. I learned this lesson the hard way after my stroke.
Recovery wasn’t just a matter of time—it was a journey that reshaped how I think about life, health, and even success. Along the way, I learned some important lessons that continue to guide me today.
Healing Is Not Linear
If there’s one thing I can tell you about the recovery process, it’s that it doesn’t follow a straight path. You don’t just wake up each day feeling a little better than the day before. Instead, there are good days and bad days. Sometimes, it feels like you’ve taken two steps forward and then three steps back.
I remember times when I thought I was making progress, only to hit what felt like a wall the next day. It was frustrating, and it made me question whether I was ever going to fully recover. But over time, I learned to accept that healing is a winding road. It’s not about constant improvement; it’s about persistence, even when things feel like they’ve stalled.
The Small Wins
In the early days of my recovery, progress felt painfully slow. It’s hard to stay positive when you’re used to moving through life at a certain pace, only to find that even getting out of bed or walking across the room is a challenge. But over time, I started to shift my focus away from the big picture and toward the small victories.
The first time I was able to stand up on my own, I felt like I had climbed a mountain. When I could hold a fork again, it felt like winning a race. Celebrating these small wins gave me the motivation to keep going, even when the end of the road seemed far away.
Not Just Physical
Surprisingly, healing isn’t just about the body—it’s also about the mind and spirit. As I worked on rebuilding my physical strength, I realized I also needed to work on healing emotionally and mentally.
The stroke didn’t just change my physical abilities; it also changed my perspective on life. I was becoming one with the new normal, and it came with the price of letting go of expectations. This emotional healing process was just as important as the physical, if not more so.
Patience Is Key
If you’re anything like me, patience doesn’t always come naturally. I wanted to be better, and I wanted to be better fast. But healing doesn’t happen on a schedule. It requires time—sometimes more time than you’d like to give it.
Learning to be patient with myself was one of the hardest parts of my recovery. I had to remind myself that it was okay to have setbacks and to take things one day at a time. Patience wasn’t about waiting for things to happen; it was about allowing myself the space to heal without putting pressure on myself to “get back to normal” right away.
A New Perspective
Going through a major health crisis gave me a new outlook on life. It taught me that nothing is guaranteed and that we should cherish each moment, even the small ones. I don’t take my health for granted anymore, and I’ve learned to appreciate the little things—the quiet moments, the connections with loved ones, and the simple joys of everyday life.
Before my stroke, I was always focused on the next big goal, the next accomplishment. Now, I’ve come to see that life is about more than ticking off achievements. It’s about how we live in the moment, care for ourselves, and show up for the people we love.
Moving On
Healing is hard work, and it takes time. But even though the road can be long and difficult, it’s also filled with lessons that shape who we are. I’m grateful for the journey I’ve been on—not just because it made me stronger but because it taught me to appreciate life in a deeper, more meaningful way.
If you’re on your own road to healing, my advice is to be kind to yourself. Celebrate the small wins, be patient with the process, and remember that healing isn’t just about your body but also your heart and soul.
