S3 E11: Re-Establishing Your Social Life After Brain Injury with Alison and Eryn

Making Headway

After brain injury returning to your world can be daunting. You feel different, you are different so how do you rejoin your social circles or make new ones? In this episode Alison and Eryn talk about their experiences re-establishing social lives post brain injuries. They provide helpful insights and tips they have learned along the way that really helped. Listen along to this easy going conversation for some lived experience and advice.

Summary

In this conversation, Alison and Eryn discuss how their brain injuries have affected their social lives, fatigue, and time management. They talk about how they used to be constantly on the go before their brain injuries, but now they have to manage their energy levels and prioritize self-care. They also discuss the challenges of socializing and going out with friends, as well as the need for accommodations and modifications in social activities. They emphasize the importance of being present in the moment and accepting their new realities. The conversation explores the importance of finding fulfillment and making a positive impact on the world, rather than solely pursuing traditional goals. It emphasizes the value of meaningful moments and simple pleasures in life. The hosts discuss strategies for reestablishing a social life after a brain injury, including practicing gratitude, being present in the moment, and listening to one's body. They also highlight the significance of emotional regulation, taking rest when needed, and conserving energy. The conversation concludes with a reminder to be kind and compassionate to oneself and to appreciate the beauty of life.

Keywords

brain injury, social life, fatigue, time management, energy levels, self-care, socializing, accommodations, modifications, present moment, fulfillment, positive impact, traditional goals, meaningful moments, simple pleasures, social life, brain injury, gratitude, presence, listening to body, emotional regulation, rest, conserving energy, kindness, compassion, appreciation

Takeaways

· Brain injuries can significantly impact social life, fatigue, and time management

· Managing energy levels and prioritizing self-care are crucial for individuals with brain injuries

· Socializing and going out with friends may require accommodations and modifications

· Being present in the moment and accepting one's new reality is important for overall well-being. Focus on finding fulfillment and making a positive impact on the world, rather than solely pursuing traditional goals.

· Value meaningful moments and simple pleasures in life.

· Practice gratitude, be present in the moment, and listen to your body when reestablishing a social life after a brain injury.

· Emphasize emotional regulation, take rest when needed, and conserve energy.

· Be kind and compassionate to yourself and appreciate the beauty of life.

Sound Bites

"Before brain injury, it was pretty easy to just go, go, go, go, go, never stop, be the warrior, just push through. But at least for me, that's no longer the case."

"I don't have the mental capacity to manage all of that."

"I lose my place. I don't remember what I was working on before. I'll stop something midway through then do something else and then never finish that other thing."

"Your focus needs to be on how am I going to fulfill myself while also making a positive mark on the world."

"Having a car does not affect someone else's life in a positive way."

"That's the moment that fulfills your heart, really. That's where inner happiness comes from, I think. That's key."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:33 Life Before Brain Injury

04:26 Modifying Social Activities

06:11 Adapting to Noise Sensitivity

07:38 Feeling Safer at Home

13:00 Accepting the New Reality

21:56 Embracing Meaningful Moments and Simple Pleasures

26:32 Strategies for Reestablishing a Social Life after a Brain Injury

29:12 The Importance of Emotional Regulation and Rest

35:21 Being Kind and Compassionate to Yourself

Reach out to:

Eryn on IG @eryn_makingheadwaypodcast

Alison on IG @alison_maknigheadwayodcast

MHP on IG @makingheadwaypodcast

Go to our website www.makingheadwaypodcast.com for full show notes and resources

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