I am so unused to getting hurt for any length of time, that I didn’t realise that I had actually done some damage to myself.
I thought I was dealing with jet lag and general fatigue when I found myself limping a bit as I tried to take in the sights.
I thought it was being unused to walking that much and going up three flights of stairs to our small hotel room.
After several weeks of this, I continued pushing myself including climbing up to the top of one of the highest sites in the city.
The next day, I could barely walk at all, even though my ankle had been improving.
My husband bought me a bandage to wrap my ankle, but my legs just were not working.
After being scared about that, I tracked down the symptoms and found that I had strained my quadriceps.
I implemented the recommended rest and gradually began to recover.
On top of that, I was still dealing with my habitual panic attacks and doing so in new cities.
In my hotel room, I listened to a talk for therapists who help trauma victims.
I was able to glean a new idea which moved me forward.
After that I listened to an artist who teaches intuitive drawing.
My drawing complimented the new idea which I had just learned.
I was able to apply that to my next outing.
I walked slowly, listened to my body, ate when I needed to, took my time, enjoyed the sights which surrounded me and made it to my destination.
I continued listening to my body, addressed the panic attacks, and slowed down to enjoy my activity.
I was able to proceed throughout using this process.
I called a halt when I felt too overwhelmed to continue and was able to take a break.
On the way home, I stopped and enjoyed several other sites.
I made it back to the hotel, and gave myself a long rest.
I am taking the next day very easy, but I know I have the tools to continue moving forward in my healing and enjoyment of my life.
© 2019 Kathryn Hardage
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