What I learned 5 days post surgery.
Recovery from surgery is testing me. Probably because I've had to learn to integrate anxiety into my life for…ever. And recovery is best paired with a physical patience I'm pretty sure I'm not capable of—I work around it, with it, sometimes against it. But I know I work best with a head-down workout every morning, followed promptly with a work-focused target—it motivates me. And recovering from exploratory knee surgery is riddled with unknowns and free range outcomes (did it, or will it, help? Yeah, not sure).
Yet even in the midst of the chaos, lessons seemed to be stirring. Here's what I know, 5 days post op:
Recovery fact: Less is more. It feels unnatural, counter intuitive and emotionally lethargic to literally do less—move less, workout less, cook less, write less, prospect less, deliver less. Except sleep and rest—more of that.
Lindsay's lesson: Figure out what's essential emotionally, physically, intellectually and do that—only. Only focus on needle movers in work, life, family, friends. Focus on what is getting you closer to meaning, connection, belonging, and psychological richness. Delegate or get rid of the rest because it probably doesn't matter that much anyways.
Recovery fact: Progress inches forward in unseeable intervals, accelerates unexpectedly, and slows to a trickle especially when you're motivated to act.
Lindsay's lesson: Trust. Trust that the work you're doing, the hours you're putting in have buried meaning, connections and outcomes not immediately available to witness. Trust. The. Work. And know that your timing for when you're motivated to act might just be off sometimes. That's ok. Keep trying. Odds are in your favor.
Recovery fact: Focus on range of motion and don't ignore your weak spots—they'll just become weaker and create catastrophic compensations in other areas of your body, your mind, your work, your family, your relationships.
Lindsay's lesson: Knowing who you are, and how you want to be perceived gives you range of motion, and gives your story flexibility as you navigate work and life changes. Not knowing these things makes positioning yourself as someone worth paying attention to a vague and difficult prospect.
As I marinate in recovery, I'll share lessons as they arise. For now, what has worked for you when dealing with setbacks?
xo, Lindsay
