A Note on Recovery

After a competition earlier this summer, I had to rush to the ER with stomach pain and had to scratch the last day of the meet. It turned out that I had appendicitis and needed to get my appendix removed, so I slept overnight in the hospital, prepping for the surgery. While I was under, they also found that I had an umbilical hernia that needed to be removed.

This was just 5 weeks before Nationals.

The recovery time: "2-4 months."

When I got back home, my recovery started with 30 foot paces in my backyard and a few arm swings to keep my body moving. I slept most of the first 2 weeks. And during that time, it hit me - when we're not present, or taking our recovery seriously, or nourishing our mental and emotional needs, or even prioritizing play - we may inevitably be halted to rethink the path we're on.

I enjoyed the rest, but mostly, I enjoyed returning back to myself. It was a bittersweet moment: I was watching Nationals from my couch, with 3 incisions worth of stitches on my belly still healing - but I was present with myself. ❤️ I really liked that.

I started structuring my days to include creativity, friends, and prayer. Slowly but surely, I began getting stronger with physical therapy treatments, went for my first 3 mile run and 1 hour on the stair master.

And just this week I got cleared for pool swimming - can I tell you the BLISS I FELT🫢. 2K in the books. And each time I jump in, I will be so grateful to move my body. Each time I jump in, I will focus on getting just 1% better and stacking that, day after day.

So this week, I want to explore gratitude. I want to let it overflow. For the exact moment I am in and for all to come.

Have you had an injury hold you back from competing? How did you handle it? Anything you wish you knew then, that you know now?

Sending love your way ❤️

Olivia

“LET YOUR GRATITUDE OVERFLOW”

It’s the little things …