Around two months back, at the end of May, I broke my ankle. I was actually on holiday in Switzerland with my boyfriend and his family and while hiking a mountain it happened. I slipped and immediately knew I broke my bones. It had to be operated right away and due to the fact that I was on top of a mountain surrounded by snow, I had to be picked up by a helicopter. Yes, it does sound quite dramatic but to me, it was all such a blur that it doesn't even feel that dramatic.
However, the two months following my accident were actually the hardest part. Not being able to walk for six weeks straight and still having to use crutches to this day for walking outside the house really takes a toll on you and your mental health. It is funny how you can take the smallest things for granted, like being able to pop out and go to the grocery store alone, cleaning the house or simply going down a few stairs to go and get the post. I am a lot better now and make progress every day. Today I was reflecting on the past eight weeks and how much that time actually taught me, besides wearing supportive hiking shoes. So I thought I would share with you what I learned from breaking my leg.
1. It's okay to slow down.
One of the main things I struggled with, especially in the beginning, was that I wasn't able to live as fast-paced as I normally do. Every little thing took so much longer and I simply needed to slow down in every aspect of my life. On top of that, I was in the process of applying for jobs. Even though I was obviously able to send my applications and work on my laptop, but going to interviews was a bit more tricky. But I did it. With crutches and my cast, I went to a few interviews after about 4 weeks post-accident and I never had the impression that it hindered the interview in any way. (And I actually just got an amazing job offer! YAY).
2. Sometimes, you got to accept some mess.
My boyfriend knows how much I need to have tidiness around me. I just hate things to be out of place and I simply can't go to bed before the house is tidy and neat. Obviously, I was not able to tidy... at all. And while my boyfriend still had his shifts at the hospital and on top of that had to drive me around to doctors appointments, interviews, and physiotherapy, while managing the household... our flat got pretty messy at times. Obviously, I can't expect him to tidy up as much as I would, especially while having so much on his plate already, but I have to admit that it was kind of stressful for me at times to just sit and watch the chaos while not being able to do anything about it. But thankfully I am now back to tidying like a mad woman again, haha..
3. Try and find the bright side.
I am thankfully a quite optimistic person, so I didn't necessarily need to learn how to see the bright side. But my accident definitely reminded me of how important it is to see the positive in things. Maybe I just needed this time to slow down. However, one of the first things I said after coming out of surgery and seeing my boyfriend and his family was that I was actually glad it happened to me and not them. And while they wear laughing, I was actually not joking. While the surgery was going on I thought about how much more inconvenient it would have been for anyone of my boyfriends family, who needed to take a 12-hour flight a week later, to have had this accident. So I guess I was lucky in being unlucky. You could say I took one for the team.
4. Accepting help is fine.
Another hard one for me. I am normally a very self-sufficient person who loves to do everything on her own. I do not like to ask for help unless there is absolutely no other way. And now I needed help with everything. And I mean E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. I couldn't get into the shower without help, I couldn't carry a cup of tea from the kitchen to the living room without help... So accepting help was a big lesson for me. And I really think we all should ask for help from time to time. And please don't break a leg just to learn this lesson!
5. Don't take the small things for granted.
I never appreciated being able to walk and being so independent. And seeing how much I struggled with this short term inability to do anything I want, it really taught me to appreciate the small things. We all should just be grateful for what we have, even if we are just healthy and happy. There is nothing more important than that.
& most importantly: always wear the right kind of shoes kids!
x Lisa
Oh how scary! i'm glad you were able to get help so quickly and you could rest and relax and recover. You definitely need to take it easy and rest when your body needs to heal, great tips to remember! I hope you're back to normal now and able to walk unassisted again!
ReplyDeleteHope that you had a wonderful weekend :)
Away From Blue
Yes I am so much better! Thanks love
Deletex Lisa
Oh myyyy this is so scary! I literally have a fear of breaking my leg or something and not being able be properly productive, but you're right Hun, sometimes it's okay to slow down!! x
ReplyDeleteGrace Louise || www.gracelouiseofficial.blogspot.co.uk/
Absolutely!
Deletex Lisa
Gosh, I'm so sorry to hear about your accident! Enforced rest certainly gives you time to think & gain a new perspective xx
ReplyDeleteBeautylymin
This is so true!
Deletex Lisa
It is good reflecting on something like this! Sometimes things in our life happen that is put of control and however hard it is to accept we have to sometimes. I would absolutely love it if you could check out my blog! Thanks! https://www.emilyclarebeauty.com
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely!
Deletex Lisa
Omg I am so glad you recovering!
ReplyDeleteCandice x
natalyaammour.com
Thank you!
Deletex Lisa
Aw wow so my brother actually just broke his leg bone about a month ago and he is still in recovery. The doctors are also recommending him to do surgery. I'll definitely share this post to him to uplift him.
ReplyDeleteBLOG | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM
all the best for your brother!
Deletex Lisa
Wow, I can't even begin to imagine how difficult it would be to break a leg. I hope you're now on the mend!
ReplyDeleteNicole / Nicole Batley x
Oh I am :) Thank you!
Deletex Lisa
I am so sorry that you broke your foot but I'm glad to see that you're recovering. I broke my arm a few years back and it felt horrible. And I'm so sorry you're going through that too. But you'll feel better in no time. Sending lots of love and good vibes your way <3
ReplyDeletehttps://lifewithmins.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much girl!
Deletex Lisa
This is such an inspiring read dear. Love the last paragraph. Also, get well soon!
ReplyDeleteJessica | notjessfashion.com
Oh thank you so much Jessica!
Deletex Lisa
oh poor you! hope you feel much better now! xx
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melinadulce.com
I am :)
Deletex Lisa
That must have been such a scary experience. I'm so glad to hear that you are doing better now!
ReplyDeletehttps://colorandgrace.com
It definitely was :)
Deletex Lisa
Oh no, you poor thing! I'm so sorry to hear about your leg; I can only imagine how painful that must have been. SO happy to hear you found a silver lining (or five!) from the incident though :)
ReplyDeleteaglassofice.com x
Thank you lovely!
Deletex Lisa
I hope you are feeling better now lovely. I have never broken a bone but I was very unwell last year and it made me be so grateful for the support around me and it also helped me to slow down a bit.
ReplyDelete❤︎
www.elenaisabelle.com
This is so true!
Deletex Lisa
Sometimes things happen to make us question and see things differently - I actually love this post and think it's a really nice read. I love the fact that you mention about slowing down, so many people rush around on a daily basis and don't spend enough time on themselves so thank you for sharing this post!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a speedy recovery lovely!
Layla x
https://www.sprinklesofstyle.co.uk
This is so true girl!
Deletex Lisa
I'm so sorry for your accident! I'm glad to know you're recovering, take care! <3
ReplyDeletexx Bri | www.brigitadaisy.com
Thank you so much Bri!
Deletex Lisa
I'm glad you managed to pick out the best of it! Plus that helicopter ride sounds super cool, even though it was done in distress, a memory for life.
ReplyDeleteLackaDaisy
Haha it sure was!
Deletex Lisa
Glad you are doing better and that you are staying positive -- accepting help is a big one!
ReplyDeleteSending so much love your way!
xoxo, Vanessa
www.whatwouldvwear.com
So true :)
Deletex Lisa
Accepting help is also hard for me too! My friend recently broke her ankle and it has been rough for her not being able to walk much and do much in general, sorry you've been going through the same thing. Hope recovery is going well :)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
http://www.myclusterofthoughts.com/
Thank you lovely!
Deletex Lisa
Oh no, I'm sorry you had to go through that it sounds scary. I went through something similar a few years back. I had to have surgery as well and once I was home recovery I didn't realize how much I had to let go of things and really take it easy. It was difficult for me since I enjoy doing everything myself and I had to learn to accept help from others and its ok if something isn't perfect.
ReplyDeletexo
Juliana | Ohhjuliana
Thank you so much Juliana!
Deletex Lisa
Thanks for sharing this article with us, I resonated with some of the points you made - especially the part about not taking small things for granted
ReplyDeleteI have knee pain which fluctuates from excruciating to hmmmokhmmm and earlier this year it was unbearable - like hurting to get out of bed bad
When it got better during summer, I really appreciated being able to make certain short trips by foot, something I def took for granted in the past!
Have a lovely Sunday and hope you ankle is much better now, Xo
Thank you so much!
Deletex Lisa