As we face a New Year as a crash survivor, a lot of us struggled this past year dealing with difficult life-changing moments and we can only hope for less struggles as we enter into a New Year. With a new year beginning and as a survivor, you may find yourself feeling less eager to make a New Year’s Resolution. A New Year to most people would mean quitting a bad habit, joining a gym, eating healthier, saving money or getting more exercise but what if you are recovering from a motor vehicle crash?
Regardless of what resolution you may decide to commit to (if any), the goal is to try and improve our lives in some way. Although extremely difficult at times for survivors, life is all about maintaining a balance especially when so many of us are struggling financially, physically and emotionally.
Chronic Pain = Exhaustion
A week before the holidays even started, we were experiencing extreme damp weather in our area and my body was the first to tell me with a flare-up. For five days straight, I was waking up in extreme pain as my body literally shuts down in that type of weather because it likes to remind me of the multiple injuries I endured in my crash. With chronic pain comes sleepless nights and I was trying my best to prepare for the holidays but my body would have no part in it. Needless to say, I was exhausted before the holidays even started. Not a great way to embrace the New Year as a crash survivor.
One thing I can recommend for the New Year as a crash survivor is to make sure you have enough time set aside just for you that no one else can touch. An hour per day to read a book or take a bath, or to just sort through whatever is on your mind can make a world of difference. When I feel overwhelmed as I felt during this past holiday season, an hour per day “just for me” is what helped me sort through all of my issues one by one and allowed me to move forward again. De-composing and gathering my thoughts while listening to my favourite CD helped me cope while I tried to lower my anxiety over the holidays.
Setting Aside An Hour Just For Me
I often feel like I have come far in my recovery, only to have my hopeful outlook shattered by a bad day(s). Sometimes I take a step back, but that doesn’t mean I am not going to move forward. This year, I will stop viewing my bad days as a sign that I’m not healing. I’m not going to punish myself for struggling and I am going to heal at my own pace. My hour is something that is essential to my well being and I will continue to savor this time in the New Year as well.
As a survivor, keep in mind that your mood and mental health count too so don’t beat yourself up if you do not achieve your goals or if no one notices that you are struggling. Recovering is your top priority. Learning what you can handle or what you cannot handle is a process. Commit to a practice that is calming for you. Be gentle with yourself. After everything you have experienced, you deserve it.
I wish every survivor continued healing as we enter a New Year and enhanced motivation to achieve your New Year’s resolutions, whatever they may be.
S. Dawne McKay is a survivor of a horrific crash that changed her life forever. Dawne shares her personal journey as a Crash Survivor Blogger and also collaborates with crash survivors as Guest Bloggers allowing them an opportunity to share their stories. Dawne is also the author of the book, “Talk Crash to Me – What to Expect After Surviving a Collision and How to Manage Your Recovery” which is available for purchase on Amazon.
The Crash Support Network is a unique one-of-a-kind website consisting of an online support group, a crash survivor blog, a quarterly newsletter, “Sharing Our Recovery” as well as highly informative articles. Our website is based on relationship-building and puts the needs of survivors first by creating a helpful resource for victims and survivors of motor vehicle crashes.
