Whether you're celebrating the new year on January 1, January 22, September 15, your birthday, your Strokeaversary, or some other date in 2023 or beyond, it's a time to pause and think about where you want to go and what you want to do.
We could talk about resolutions, but that seems to set us up for failure. Few people set and achieve resolutions. Failing them within 2 weeks of the new year is pretty much a comedy trope at this point. So with all that cultural baggage, let's not talk about resolutions.
Let's talk things we can do. Here are 5 things you can build into your plan for the new year.
If you don't see the audio player below, visit http://Strokecast.com/MSN/NewYear to listen to the episode.
Decide what you want
Many people go through life on autopilot; they let the things they want be decided by societal standards or other people or their perceptions of what they're supposed to want.
Others choose goals, priorities, and direction once and never think about it again.
Stroke adds yet another layer to that. Most stroke survivors I speak with say the stroke changed not only their abilities but also the way the think about life. It adjusts their priorities or brings a level of clarity they might not have had before.
Whether you thought you knew what you wanted before a stroke or not, surviving a stroke gives you a reason to stop.
To stop and think about your goals.
It gives you a chance to think about what you really want now.
That doesn't mean you have to scale back because of language, physical, cognitive or other disabilities. It's possible your dreams now can be even bigger.
What it does mean is you have some work to do. You have to figure out what you want to do and why you want to do it.
Before you pursue a goal or plan of action for your new year, decide if you want the result. Maybe running seems like something you SHOULD do, but do you really want to? You're unlikely to be successful at achieving a goal you don't care about.
Take some time and a pen and paper or blank digital document or dry erase board or a partner who can serve as a scribe, and make a list of things you care about and want to do. What are you passionate about? What do you care about? What lights a fire under you?
After stroke your answer may be wildly different than it was before.
If the answer is "nothing," that's okay, too. Perhaps dedicate your year to finding something you care about. Or find a counselor you can communicate with. Lack of interest in things could be a sign of depression.
In my experience, many people don't know what they really care about or want to do because they haven't taken the time to figure it out. The run on autopilot doing what they think they are "supposed to do" rather than what truly inspires their soul.
So think about what you want and then decide to pursue it.
Make a plan
Once you know what you want to do, then you can figure out how to do it. Talk to people who can help. Maybe that means getting more PT, OT, or speech therapy. Maybe it means finding a business or writing coach. Maybe it means more work by yourself at home.
You don't have to get it all at once. Break it up into smaller pieces and work on a plan to complete these individual pieces.
One method that helps it to build SMART goal. These are goals that are Simple, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time bound. I talked more about SMART goals in an earlier episode at http://Strokecast.com/SMART.
Find a community
Loneliness and isolation are two if the biggest non-medical challenges stroke survivors face. It may seem even harder for younger stroke survivors who suddenly find themselves flung off the traditional life paths of advancement their peers are on.
So find a community of stroke and brain injury survivors. We're out there.
Look for local support groups. Many are meeting online these days. Try different groups until you find one you feel comfortable it. Afterall, each group develops its own personality. Some will be mainly social while others will focus more on education. Some will be more diverse while others may be made primarily of older folks. If you're not comfortable in one group, try another.
Check out the various Stroke hashtags on Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok. Follow and interact with folks using tags like:
- #Stroke
- #StrokeSurvivor
- #StrokeLife
- #StrokeAwareness
- #StrokeRecovery
Try some others that you come up with. Watch the content. Like and comment on it. Share your favorites.
Share your story
All those stroke stories that you've found helpful? They were told by someone who thought their own story was boring and not worth telling. Many people can't imagine how their experience can help others.
So consider telling your story. That doesn't mean you need to start a podcast or YouTube channel (but let me know if you do). Just work on becoming comfortable telling it to other survivors and your family members and friends.
If you have a forum to tell your story, tell it. Maybe it will help another survivor feel not so alone. Or it will help your colleagues understand other folks in their own family or social circle. Maybe a stranger will learn the BEFAST warning signs, and that will make all the difference in someone else's stroke.
At the very least, it may help you better understand and make peace with your own experience.
As a species, we thrive on storytelling. And you have a doozy to share.
Reach out to your therapists
If it's been a while since you were in contact with your medical team or you ended therapy for whatever reason, reach out to your former PTs, OT, SLPs, Doctors, etc. Let them know how you’re doing and share your progress.
If you can't visit the medical facility, send them an email, or send a note or card to the facility.
They work hard to get us to the next level, but they don't see most of us after that. Most of them love it when former patients send them an update or reach out to them.
They helped us so much. This is an easy, cheap, and powerful way to help them.
Have a great new year
This new year, whenever you mark it, is yours to decide what to do with. I know, that's easy to say and sometimes it's harder to see it. But the time is going to pass regardless of what you choose to do.
Take this moment and make some decisions. Do the things you can do to influence the outcome of your future. Whatever your goal is, you won't get any closer to it unless you know what it is and take active steps to get there.
Survey
As we head into the new year, I want to hear from you about how I can make this show better. Or to keep it the same if you like it the way it is. Visit http://Strokecast.com/Survey to fill out the short form and share your thoughts. You can do so anonymously. If you'd like to shed a little anonymity, you can enter a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card. For more details and to complete the survey, please visit http://Strokecast.com/Survey.
Win of the Week
If you had an accomplishment or win, big or small since your stroke, the community wants to hear about it. Visit http://Strokecast.com/Win to learn how you can share it so we can all celebrate.
Hack of the Week
If you pour liquor from bottles, look for 1 ounce or 1.5 ounce pour stoppers like these on Amazon: http://Strokecast.com/Hack/Stopper. * I found some that I use at Total Wine so they're readily available.
I enjoy nice whiskey, Scotch, and bourbon in moderation (my doctor said, "Just don't drown your brain in it." The problem I have with the bottles comes from my hemiparesis.
Pulling the lid/cork from the bottle means holding the bottle in place. I have to count on my weaker and spastic arm to hold the bottle still while I remove the lid with my other hand. And then I have to rely on my affected arm to not jerk and spill the bottle the instant the lid pops free. Putting the cork/top back in is easier, but still presents similar challenges. So let's reduce the risk of spill.
These pourers mean that I have to only pop the lid off once, and then put the pourer in. Over the course of the next several months when I want to sip a dram, I just pick up the bottle and pour.
The bonus perk here is that I know exactly how much I'm pouring -- no accidental overpours.
If you have non-alcohol bottle, like flavorings for coffee or olive oil, you may want to take a look at these stoppers, too. The texture of the liquid may be an issue, but look into it to figure out what works for you.
Links
Where do we go from here?
- As you start your new year, whenever it starts, do the 5 things we talked about here:
- Decide what you want
- Make a plan, Find a community
- Share your story
- Contact your therapists
- Share this guide with someone you know by giving them the link http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
- Visit http://Strokecast.com/Win to share your win
- Don't get best…get better.
There are 5 things stroke survivors can do to have a great new year. I discuss them at http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
1) Decide what you want
There are 5 things stroke survivors can do to have a great new year. I discuss them at http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
2) Make a plan
There are 5 things stroke survivors can do to have a great new year. I discuss them at http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
3) Find a community
There are 5 things stroke survivors can do to have a great new year. I discuss them at http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
4) Share your story
There are 5 things stroke survivors can do to have a great new year. I discuss them at http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
5) Contact your therapists
There are 5 things stroke survivors can do to have a great new year. I discuss them at http://Strokecast.com/NewYear
No comments:
Post a Comment