With Christmas around the corner, the final week of the year 2017 has begun. Looking back, it feels like last year just flew by. Maybe that’s why all those articles and lists appear that reflect on 2017. As it allows you to take a moment and look back. To reflect on the year that has gone by. To see all the good things that happened, the lessons you’ve learned and to identify the things you hope to change in the coming year.
Normally I would just keep on going with full speed ahead. However, writing this made me change my mind. Taking a moment to reflect on the year is actually a pretty good idea. Who knows, learning from past experiences can even help to avoid making similar mistakes in the future.
The upside of keeping a blog
For me, this site has been a major difference from previous years. And writing an almost weekly post makes the act of looking back a whole lot easier and more manageable.
Writing these posts was -in hindsight- surprisingly easy. Which makes it a good thing that happened. Especially as it forced me to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Not only did that help in opening up to others, it also helped me to admit to myself how I was really doing. All in all this site was definitely a good thing.
Looking back, my main challenge was (and is) finding a balance. Not only between work and life, but more in general, in knowing when to take a break. To stop in time, instead of hanging on until you hit a wall. Although I’ve learned a lot, there is definitely room for improvement. I hope I can do better next year.
Lists
The act of looking back does, in my humble opinion, require a list. That’s why I compiled a list of the five most read blog posts of this year. As I’m writing in Dutch and English, I decided to make a list for each language:
Top 5 most read posts in English
- 10 small things you can do to help someone with a brain injury
- 16 tips for surviving the holidays with a brain injury
- Stores and brain injury – a matter of planning and preparation
- 5 things my brain injury taught me for which I’m grateful
- Stress and brain injury: a matter of reduced resilience
Top 5 most read posts in Dutch
- Doubting the invisible
- 10 small things you can do to help someone with a brain injury
- Awaiting a good day – from denial to acceptance
- Stores and brain injury – a matter of planning and preparation
- More easily irritated and angry after brain injury
I know that you can’t draw any conclusions just by looking at the number of page views. However, when I looked at these lists, the thought that popped into my head was that we all face similar challenges. That even when you think it’s just you, it’s not. I still forget this notion from time to time, but whenever I get remembered that ‘no, it isn’t just me’, it helps me to deal with the situation.
My wish and hope is that this site can help you to remember that you’re not alone. We’re -more or less- all in this together.
I’m off to reflect some more. 🙂 Thank you for finding and reading my posts and I wish you happy holidays.
Dear Evie, I found your blog on Pinterest a couple of weeks ago, and am delighted to read about someone else having similar experiences after a TBI. Mine occurred 5 1/2 years ago when a plank from our barn fell on my head. Still trying to find my ‘new normal’. Just wanted to write and thank you for your very helpful blogs, and wish you a safe journey on your upcoming travels. If you are ever in the Stockholm area of Sweden, I would love to meet you! I am an American living in Sweden for the past almost 30 years with my Swedish husband. Be well, Delores
Dear Delores, when I started this blog I really hoped that it could also help others, so thank you for all your kind words!
Sweden is still on my travel wish list, I’ll let you know whenever there is a concrete plan. So if you happen to visit the Netherlands in the meantime, let me know! 🙂
I hope that you find that things do get better in time and wish you all the best in the new year. Take care! Evie