Happy Birthday Stella

Can you believe that it's been 365 days since my concussion?

To mark this milestone, I celebrated with a day at the spa courtesy of a couple of my girlfriends (I'm so blessed) followed by ice cream cake and sparkling apple juice!!!! I know some may find it surprising that I am celebrating the occasion, but I decided a few months back that this is how I should and would approach the day. Instead of focusing on how difficult this year has been and everything I've lost, I have chosen to celebrate the things I've learnt and how I've grown. (Plus, the spa and cake? Why wouldn't I do that?!)

What's in my toolkit?

I've compiled the following list of the top 5 skills/tools that I have acquired through my experiences this last year. I have learnt to:

1. Let things go and accept the things that I cannot change
2. See setbacks and disappointment as opportunities for growth and learning
3. Be grateful even when it feels like nothing is going my way
4. Deal with stress and anxiety by practicing mindfulness, yoga and meditation
5. Practice self-compassion and compassion towards others

6. Limit my self-pity and stop comparing myself to others

(I know there's six; I couldn't decide which item to cut.)

Essentially, I am a WAYYY stronger person than I was before my injury. I have a toolkit now (and since I am no handyman, these are probably the only tools I'll ever own.) I have everything I need to tackle whatever life has in store for me. These skills will ensure I can adapt to the unexpected. Woooo! Why wouldn't I celebrate that?

Charles Darwin would agree with me, too. He once said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” Guyyyssss! I will survive!!!!!!!

Sooooo Happy Birthday Stella! You've been a real pain in my arse, but I love you anyway.

Cheers!

(Oh! I also wanted to thank my loyal subscribers (aka my immediate family) for reading along. Just an FYI that I don't receive your emails if you reply to posts received from "Concussions and Lawn Chairs." I promise that I'm not ignoring you! Feel free to post directly my blog, fire me a text, and/or write me at my personal email address if you want to reach me. Orrrr write me a letter!!! Those are the best. Hugs!)

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