Two Sunday nights ago, I broke my foot. Since then, I have had to accept a new normal until it heals. It is a new normal that includes all the things I loathe: depending on others, being sedentary, and having less control over my daily life. The first couple days after it happened, I was pretty miserable. From getting out of bed and not being fully awake enough to use crutches to being terrified of getting in and out of the bathtub without falling, giving up and taking a nap until it was actually time to go to bed looked really appealing.
I currently require assistance in my daily life, and I hate needing help. Not being able to do some things by myself or for myself has taking me some getting used to. I did try to make myself lunch one day, but I ended up dropping it on the floor. I have learned to not leave a room until I know for sure I do not need anything in that room, at least for a good while. I ordered a knee scooter and it has helped give me some mobility and independence back. However, I owe my mom, my family, and my loved ones for everything they have done for me. I would not be doing as well as I am without them. I am also fully aware of how fortunate I am I will regain full mobility of my foot.
I do miss walking my dog, going to my exercise classes, and ensuring I achieve a minimum of 10,000 steps for the day. Speaking of steps, I am no longer winning first place weekly in my walking group’s Stridekick challenges. I am only mentioning this because I know my walking group will see the humor. Maybe they will be glad someone else can win for a change. Guys, I am kidding.
Before I broke my foot, I had “big plans” to make a creamy tortilla soup recipe that will make you want to eat at minimum two bowls full, even though it is still hot outside. I have plans to go hiking this fall, and I hope I will still be able to. I was also looking forward to trying pickleball.
Even more so, I strongly dislike how hard everyday things are at the moment. Taking a shower and brushing my teeth feel like a workout. I literally plop in my computer chair when it is all over. I only get up and get something if I want it bad enough. I miss getting out and running errands. I am someone who is never still so it ultimately feels like someone took a remote and selected “Pause” on my life.
While it does feel like my life is on pause for the time being, I never let my current circumstances go by without seeking what I can learn from them. Obviously, I need to learn how to rest. I tend to be an Energizer Bunny until I physically have to stop. I am also aware I have been so busy with work and life things, I have not taken time for my blog this year. Right now, I have no excuse. That is how this post got started. I had even planned on writing a blog post on the subject of rest earlier this year. Life is funny that way.
Nonetheless, I know I have been needing to put my focus on other areas of my life. Thanks to this forced pause, I now have no excuse to not give these other areas my attention, including rest. Sometimes we put off areas of our life because of fear. Sometimes it is just hard to get started. Sometimes we want to keep from feeling certain emotions.
What are some areas in your life needing your attention? Would you only get to them if you were forced to pause? If so, why is that? What small steps can you take to help give attention to an area in your life that is needing you? Giving attention to that area may be the start of something amazing. You never know. I just recommend doing it while you are not being forced to.
