It’s easy in stroke and vestibular recovery to compare who we used to be with who we are today, and that comparison can distort our thinking. Living in “before” erodes appreciation for “now,” despite the trials we are in. The present is where recovery happens, so we are better off to stay present. Fear, fatigue, and frustration are part of the healing process, not signs of failure.

I’m not that old version of myself anymore, but I’m not less than I used to be. I’m still whole, and still capable of surfacing joy right where I am. This new version of me is shaped by resilience, self-awareness, and persistence. Every moment spent wishing for the past is a moment stolen from today.

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#strokerecovery #stroke #vestibularrecovery #recovery #vestibular #disability #soberlife #recoverypodcast

I decided to major in math in college because I wanted to work at NASA. Needless to say, that big decision didn’t land me there. The small choices I make throughout the day ultimately shape who I become, not the big one we think define us. I spent a lot of years using my free will irresponsibly.

Have you ever said, “I had no choice”? That usually means you reacted out of habit, fear, or impulse. Responsible free will lives in the pause between reaction and response where I can choose differently, even when it doesn’t feel like I can—pausing instead of reacting, listening instead of interrupting, choosing connection over isolation.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

#strokerecovery #stroke #vestibularrecovery #recovery #vestibular #disability #soberlife #recoverypodcast

This morning I was thinking about the relationship between humility, open-mindedness, and soundness of mind (the definition of sanity.) We learn through our youth to become self-sufficient, but in doing so we often lose opportunities for connection. Getting humble just enough to know I don't have all the answers opens my mind to others and relieves the pressure I put on myself.

Have you ever worked with that person who refuses to say, “I don’t know”? Instead, they always have an answer delivered with enough confidence to land a convincing weather forecast. When I learned how to say I don’t know, my mind opened and I became willing to learn from others. I mean, how can we learn anything from one another when we think we know everything already.

There’s a constant battle between my ears to solve every problem, even those that don’t exist yet. There’s no peace in that sustained mental state. What if soundness of mind can be achieved simply through positioning myself to be curious?

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

#strokerecovery #stroke #vestibularrecovery #recovery #vestibular #disability #soberlife #recoverypodcast