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Life Lessons: Accepting My “New Normal”

Life Lessons Learned From TBI

in Life Lessons
February 13, 2020
4
Life Lessons: Accepting My “New Normal”

by Amy Zellmer

As we put up a new calendar to celebrate a new year, I hope you take a moment to reflect on all the amazing things that happened in 2019.   

One of the lessons I have learned is that it’s sometimes hard to realize all that is going right in our world when we are often feeling overwhelmed, fatigued, and frustrated. By reflecting on the past year and writing down all the great things that happened, it can help remind you that while this journey can be challenging, it does have its bright moments. The seemingly littlest things can be the biggest accomplishments when you have a brain injury, and you should celebrate them.

Learning to accept our “new normal” can be hard, and the grieving process can be long. But know that there really is light at the end of the tunnel, and while you may not be exactly who you were before brain injury, the new version doesn’t have to be a negative. The new you has the ability to choose where you wish to go in life, and you get to make the choice of what you do now. Whether it’s becoming an advocate or just giving yourself the self-care you need, you can empower yourself to be more than you were before.

For me, it took about a year to mourn the old me and understand why this had happened to me. Once I shifted my mindset and put on my big girl panties, I understood what I needed to do. It was my passion to help others so they did not have to struggle as long as I did to find the proper resources—and to not feel so isolated and alone in their journey.

My journey of helping others is a far greater mission than whatever path I had been on prior to my injury. While being a photographer was a fulfilling career, I didn’t necessarily feel I was making a difference in the world. So in many ways I feel my injury was a blessing. It has put me on a path of passion-driver purpose, and one that I know is helping others.

The moral of the story: Take whatever time you need to grieve, but know that you are perfect just the way you are. While you may not be able to do all the things you once did, you have abilities and passions that can take you further in life than you ever dreamed possible.

 

Amy Zellmer is an award winning author, keynote speaker, and TBI survivor and advocate. She is Editor-in-chief of The Brain Health Magazine, and hosts the Faces of TBI podcast series, as well as TBI TV on YouTube. 

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Comments 4

  1. Brian Hanson says:
    11 months ago

    I’d like to give talks about my experience of being a nurse for brain-injured patients before surviving my own brain injury. Can you recommend an agent to book me for speaking dates? I have one heck of a story about the survival strategies I have developed to move on with my life.

    Reply
  2. Cynthia Roby says:
    11 months ago

    I am an aneurysm survivor …and also a writer. Do you ever use freelance writers for your fine magazine?

    Reply
    • Amy Zellmer says:
      11 months ago

      Check out the submission guidelines link at the bottom of the page

      Reply
  3. Pingback: Life Lessons: Accepting My ‘New Normal’ – Safety Health News

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Amy works with clients from all walks of life who are suffering from chronic illness or injury. She has a desire to help them find their individual path toward wellness and creating a life that makes them feel joy by integrating coaching with yoga, mindfulness, meditation, reiki, crystals, and extreme self-care to complement any traditional therapies that they may be undergoing.



She has her 200-hour RYT (yoga teacher training) and is currently working toward her 500-hour. Additionally, she is a level one Reiki practitioner working toward her Reiki Master. She has also completed training and certification in Mindfulness, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), and crystal healing. 



She believes in all things holistic and natural, and has a soul-burning desire to share them with others who are ready to stop being a victim of their circumstances, and start being a thriving beacon of light in the world while living their life to their fullest potential. 

After sustaining a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in 2014, Amy Zellmer made it her mission to help others find resources and alternative treatments sooner, rather than later, in their own recovery. It was during her remarkable recovery that she learned you have to be your own advocate and blaze a path for yourself.

Her message to those struggling to find their way is that wellness comes from within, and we all have the innate ability to heal ourselves . . . if we
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  • Do you have a Christmas Morning tradition? If so, what is it?

 #holidayspirit #christmasmorning
  • Be the reason… today and everyday!

 #wordstoliveby #smile #spreadlove #uplift #positivevibes
  • If you had to choose one, which one would it be?! 

#holidaydrinks #hotcocoa #eggnog #applecider
  • I have room for ONE MORE to join my New Years Day self-care workshop!! Grab the last spot before it’s gone and I will get your care package shipped out TONIGHT!! 
💚LINK IN BIO💚
  • Spending the afternoon learning from @jen_gottlieb and @chriswinfield in the #beontvbootcamp ... it’s time to get more media appearances and raise awareness about TBI 

#tbisurvivor #tbiawareness #tbirecovery #tbi #braininjurysurvivor #braininjurysupport #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrecovery #concussionrecovery #concussionawareness #concussion #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #postconcussionlife #author #writer #blogger #publisher #editor #magazine #advocate #advocacy #trailblazer #solopreneur
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  • It happens in the blink of an eye. Whether it’s a fall, a car crash, assault, or even a stroke. There’s little to no warning. All of a sudden your entire life is completely different. 

The traditional medical world doesn’t seem to understand the long-term consequences of TBI. Many are sent home and told they’re fine. While others might be told it’s all in their head (oh the irony). It’s a long, lonely road ... and one that friends and family often give up on. 

I mean, if doctors don’t seem to understand, how can we expect others to get it? It’s isolating and depressing. It’s a viscous cycle until one day you finally find the right kind of doctor that knows how to help you and you can finally get off the rollercoaster. 

But at some point you have to allow yourself the time to grieve. If you continue to be pissed off at the world you will never get better. You must allow yourself the time and emotions to process all that you’ve been through. Then it’s time to focus on healing and moving forward. 

#tbisurvivor #tbiawareness #tbirecovery #tbi #braininjurysurvivor #braininjurysupport #braininjuryawareness #braininjuryrecovery #concussionrecovery #concussionawareness #concussion #pcs #postconcussionsyndrome #postconcussionrecovery #postconcussionlife #author #writer #blogger #publisher #editor #magazine #advocate #advocacy #trailblazer #solopreneur

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