Three questions I ask myself to find my “something” to be grateful for
I broke a bone for the first time three weeks ago (my fibula, to be exact). Since the day it happened, trips to the emergency room, appointments, surgery, splints and casts, medication schedules, crutches and scooters and Uber rides have consumed pretty much all of my time (besides when I’m elevating my leg and alone with my thoughts, of course!). This experience has already taught me so much: how much pain my body can tolerate, how to shower or get dressed with one working leg and how to adapt my whole lifestyle to a change that happened quite literally overnight.
I’ve spent a lot of time alone recently, something I generally enjoy. I’ve thought every day about what I would be doing if I could walk and move my body the way I usually do, mourning the football games, study sessions, club meetings, classes, nights out and more that I am missing out on. It’s difficult to understand the mental load of an injury like this until it happens to you. Oftentimes, broken bones are considered a childhood injury, maybe resulting from sports or falling off the monkey bars during recess. Losing almost all of your physical autonomy is so much more than that.
However, I’ve been working on changing the way I think about my injury and my perspective on this chapter of my life. My life motto is that everything happens for a reason and that there is always something to be grateful for. That “something” has been very hard to find recently, but I’ve learned that gratitude is not about ignoring the difficult parts of an experience but about purposefully seeking out the positive, hopeful parts.
These three questions have helped me understand the power of gratitude:
- Is it impossible to do, or just difficult?
Adapting and moving through recovery feels impossible sometimes. Is what I’m hoping to do impossible, or does it just require modifications? Can I slow down? Can I ask for help?
- What do I have to look forward to?
It can feel lonely not being able to spend time with friends and be part of a community. When can my friends come over to my apartment? What concerts can I go to after recovery (see you soon, Harry Styles)? Can I grab coffee in the same building as one of my classes?
- What can I do to support myself at this moment?
Recovery is overwhelming and, at times, painful. Can I pause and be where my feet are? Can I put down my phone and practice box breathing? Can I drink a glass of water and take care of my body?
Moving through a difficult season of life is hard, but even in those moments, gratitude can help us find hope. These questions are not reserved to someone recovering from an injury. I challenge you to ask yourself these questions the next time you’re feeling like your “something” to be grateful for is difficult to find. The power of gratitude goes a long way.