$3,000 is what a night out ice skating cost me. Yes you read that correctly.
In high school, one of my classmates nicknamed me graceful because I always used to trip over my feet or not pick up my feet when I walked and therefore kicked stuff and fell quite often. I thought I had outgrown that nickname until one wintery evening in January 2016 when I went ice skating with some friends. The ice was not smooth and I was not familiar with wearing hockey skates. On the 6th or 7th fall that night, I threw my left hand down to catch myself and heard + felt the loudest crack. My wrist had broken. I knew it immediately when I couldn't put any pressure on it without screaming bloody murder. The picture above is what I had to wear for 5 days and I had a Carolina blue cast for another 4.5 weeks after.
Thankfully, I am right handed. However, you never truly understand how much you use your non dominant hand until you suddenly can't use it anymore. Those 5.5 weeks were full of ups/downs and more emotions than I knew I could feel. Some of the lessons I learned though still stick with me today.
1) Learn to ask for help. And then graciously accept it.
You see, I couldn't make myself food, open a water bottle, put my hair up in a ponytail, button pants, tie my shoes, make myself a plate of food at potlucks (and there were several of them I went to during that time) or hold anything in that hand other than a pen. I had to ask for help from friends, family and co-workers alike. Friends made me food so I wouldn't starve or go broke from going out all the time. Roommates tied my shoes so I could go for walks. They also put my hair up. Co-workers carried bags and my hot lunch plates for me. In order to get through those few weeks, I had to swallow my pride, become dependent on others and ask them to help me. And I had to swallow even more pride to accept it.
2) It's ok to not be ok.
I was in a good mood for a few days after it happened...because I was drugged up and didn't notice anything. Then I had to go to work and couldn't take the meds. The pain was nearly unbearable and I was sleep deprived. (Trying sleeping with that thing in the picture. It's nearly impossible.) By the third week, I was extremely depressed. I felt useless, angry, moody. I couldn't do any of the normal things I was used to doing and I felt like I was a burden to people. One Saturday, I cried almost all day and drank absolutely way too much alcohol. (PS - don't ever do that...EVER!). Instead of talking to people about it, I shut everyone out and laid in bed all the time. TALK TO PEOPLE. Even when you can't articulate your feelings very well.
3) Don't be a martyr.
This goes hand in hand with number #1. Sometimes in our lives, we can't be as self-sufficient and independent as we'd like and we can't serve people in the ways we are used to serving them. AND THAT'S OK. We can't do things sometimes and we have to allow people in. Be vulnerable. Stop trying to do everything on your own. Allow people to help when they've specifically told you they want to. This goes for life in general. Not just when you are sick.
4) You can help others even when you are going through your own stuff.
I'm not going to tell the specific story here but trust me when I say it is possible to help and serve others when you feel like your own life is drowning.
5) Some people will make you feel like a burden
YOU ARE NOT A BURDEN ever! Don't listen to the people who make you feel that way. Love the people who help you just a little bit better and be verbal about how much you appreciate them.
What are some rather unpleasant situations that have taught you some lessons?
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