Ideas for continuing to grow as a person
 

Before my injury I would grow restless and feel bad about myself any day that I felt I had 'wasted', by not doing something worthwhile, learning something new, or achieving something.

Needless to say since the injury there have been a lot of 'wasted' days. This feeling that my life is on hold, waiting for the storm to pass and that nothing can be achieved in the meantime is something I've really struggled with.

Not to mention the possibility that the storm may not pass.

I've caused myself a lot of problems by trying to do something 'useful' with all this enforced time off work I have had, and finding time and time again that these things I was trying to achieve were causing a return of my symptoms.

Clearly one solution to this problem is to be more accepting of how things are, which is something I'm getting around to. But I've also found a couple of things I seem to be able to do which make me feel like I really am getting on with my life and not just treading water. These are:-

1. Strengthening relationships with friends and family. Before my injury I was constantly doing this or that hobby, always trying to cram in as much as I could and get better and better at things. Now I can't do any of that stuff, but this has left me with much more time for sitting and chatting with people, which I can generally tolerate. This is an important part of life, and something I'm doing pretty well at right now.

2. Audiobooks. I used to love reading, both for pleasure and to increase my understanding of the world. I would also get a real sense of achievement from finishing books. Now I can't read a book without my symptoms coming back, which given that I want to get better, means I can't read a book.

I found this really tough, but have recently tried audiobooks. My brain seems to be able to process these better, and I seem to be able to listen to books or poems with quite complicated language or subject matter without overloading. This is great.

Perhaps if others have similar things they have found that they are able to do which make them feel like they are getting on with their lives you could post them here, to give ideas to the rest of us.

Klaus-

I think this is a GREAT idea for a thread! As a type A perfectionist who worked full time, went to grad school full time, and had a busy social life, it's been very hard for me to not feel worthless because I'm not producing something at the end of my day.... I'm still working on the whole acceptance thing.

Here's what helped me:
1) Reading- fortunately for me, my brain tolerates my reading. However audio books are also a great idea! I think being able to "escape" mentally in a story, away from the world of PCS is what is key.

2) Small walks- If I don't get out in the morning for a 10 minute walk, my whole day is a downward spiral of depression. I've learned to appreciate nature a great deal more on these walks.

3) Working on my relationship with God- I've never read the Bible, so during this time I have started working on a Kindle version that breaks the whole Bible into daily chunks. I am in NO way trying to push my beliefs on anyone. I am merely saying that whatever your beliefs are, while being on the mend, it's a good time for introspection and reflection.

I too am looking for ideas on how to feel more productive!

I was always running around multi-tasking and this enforced slow down has been difficult.
What helped me cope the most was this: finally giving myself permission to slow down. I really had to come to grips with what I could do and couldn't do. I scared myself by doing way too much too soon. I barely could walk 6 weeks out for 5 minutes, but when I did go outside or even sit outside I really tuned into my environment and started to appreciate the sounds and sights of my neighborhood.

I also started Yoga and getting some tapes helped in putting me into a relaxation mode...this helps me when I overdo it and start getting pressure headaches. I just start my breathing exercises, and this can be done wherever you are, and it really helps.

I'm now slowly getting back into minor exercise and I feel such a sense of accomplishment...hope that continues with each day.

I am new to this forum. I have been struggling for 4.5 yrs living with a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury, and no one really recognizing it still affects me. this thread really hits home for me. prior injury i was working fulltime in a fast paced career, have university education. never still.
now i'm forced off work and i feel worthless. it's a daily struggle. i can't read just because i forget what's going on as i read. I am happy to hear there are others like me. :)

Acceptance
 

I've learned through the many struggles in my life that, in order to change my situation, I have to fully acknowledge and accept where I am at the moment (which doesn't mean I have to LIKE it!).

Soulluver, I know how you feel :hug:
You're story is much like mine...My career defined me, worked my butt off to climb the ladder and I finally got to the place that made me feel content and satisfied. I loved my job. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Sometimes I feel jealous that my friends are working and I'm not.

I can no longer work and I find myself feeling useless many times. Plus, I miss the big fat income that gave me peace of mind and the freedom to do the things I wanted to. That's all gone now.

It ticks me off when people make remarks about how lucky I am not to have to work anymore. Forced retirement due to a disability sucks :frown: