There I was on a Monday morning. I’d started cleaning the gutters on Sunday and I just wanted to finish things off. I cleared two sections and just wanted to peep at another section before I got ready for work. But I didn’t make sure that the ladder was stable. I was careless. And I fell. I broke my wrist that day. But I thought I’d share a few thoughts about the impact its had on me and a few things I’ve noticed along the way.
1. I’m grateful to my family and friends
My mother has repeatedly dropped everything and come to my aid, and this time was no different. She took me to hospital and she was also there for the operation. She’s helped me with errands as well. I am also super grateful to friends for helping with shopping and driving Nicky to school and chess, and people looking after him there too. I honestly feel very blessed.
The biggest impact about breaking your wrist for me is that I can’t drive. So these angels have been helping me and I appreciate it a lot.
2. Humans have limits
It’s funny that just before this happened I was feeling in a good, powerful, and in control place. On Sunday I was carrying around chairs and tables. Monday morning I’m on a ladder confidently thinking I can do this myself.
Boy has God humbled me. The law of gravity has humbled me. I’m just a human and I can’t act like I can’t fall like anyone else on a ladder.
This has also reminded me about how overwhelming some of the advice is, for instance, where I’ve been trying to build a new blog. ChatGPT suggests I do 3 posts a week? This is unrealistic given my full time job, having a kid and other things like eating and sleeping. It’s more realistic to aim for one a week (or two) and definitely not now while I’m typing with one hand.
The moral of the story is… AI never has to sleep, clean things, look after a kid or pay the bills. It makes suggestions and we have to adapt and challenge those expectations from a robot.
3. You can do a lot with one hand
I’m very grateful that it’s my left wrist that’s out of action and my dominant right hand can still function. I took one week off and then it was back to work. I sit with my left hand up and use the mouse and type with my right. I can work. I can cook. I can even wash dishes.
The things I am struggling with are where weight is required with both hands. Driving. Opening things. Filling my water bottle. I am getting Nicky and the maid to help.
I will say though: my right hand and arm are taking strain. I am really looking forward to being back in balance again.
4. The power of rest
For that first week I laid in bed a lot. I have now watched all the Bridgerton seasons and I have now started Queen Charlotte. I haven’t done nothing like that in a very long time. And it was so good.
I normally set all my open slots to last minute bookings but up until the 5th of October (which is when I’m seeing the authopedic surgeon again, hopefully to take off the bandages) I’ve deleted unbooked slots.
Living in a capitalist society we are taught to hustle, hustle all the time, regardless of how we are feeling and whether we need a break. For a change, I am totally ignoring my bank balance and prioritising my health.
I listened to a very interesting speaker last weekend and have started reading her book. Jessica Lackley’s “Leaving the Casino: Stop betting on tactics and start building a business that works” is a very interesting read. She makes the point that we are bombarded with social media and emails telling us to get rich without really meeting us where we are, with our actual needs and limitations.
She says that capitalism thrives on scarcity, that there is never enough. We just have this idea that we can have more if we work harder. Abundance sounds good, but it just makes us feel inadequate “if we’re not swimming in wealth, time and opportunity.” A better word is “sufficiency” – where we have enough for what we need.
I think I’ve been working too hard for too long and I need to get back into balance.
5. Cherish what you have: your health and your loved ones.
I think I have taken my left hand for granted for too long and I’m really looking forward to having it back. I’m also grateful for everyone around me that’s been helping me. I don’t take that for granted.
And I won’t be standing on any ladders any time soon!
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