3 strategies to avoid an identity crisis when injured

One of the more challenging parts of having an injury or long-standing pain is the way that it can impact your identity. Certain activities that used to be normal, frequent and enjoyable can be suddenly stolen from you, because of symptoms or physical limitations.

First off, I can say I’m not typically a fan of specialization. If you want to be the top 1% in the world at something, then sure, you might need to specialize in said thing and devote 110% of your time to it. But, consider devoting all of your time to one job or sport and linking your identity to it fully because of how invested you are…and then having it taken away. That could be catastrophic. Naturally, mentality plays a big role here with regard to how you might react to a situation like this. But regardless, to be unable to do the thing(s) you love, even if they’re not your sole focus in life, is extremely difficult on an emotional level.

Soccer, for example, is a sport that’s been “taken” from me a number of times in my life because of injury (ankle sprains, concussion, clavicle fracture, AC joint separation, knee pain). To have your identity tied into being a soccer player, but then being unable to play soccer for months or years on end, something you love so much, tests you bigly. If you’ve been injured for a while, you know what I’m talking about. The more time and energy you’ve invested into something the more you also tend to tie your self-worth into your ability to participate in that activity.

Now, I’m no life coach, but from a general life perspective, I’ve found that the more I diversify my interests, hobbies and sports, the more resilient I become with my identity. That’s not necessarily the reason I’ve gotten into the activities that I love, but it’s a positive consequence in my opinion. So, let’s say I have an injury now and I can’t climb…I still might be able to forage or work in the garden, or mountain bike. I have options (shoutout Nassim Taleb). As I’m recovering from an injury, I’m looking for as many other opportunities to enjoy my life and be physically active as possible to maintain my health and my sanity. People that fully stop performing any activity because of pain or injury enter into a very difficult and dark cycle. I’ve seen it too many times. Not a good place to be. There are circumstances where activities do have to be removed temporarily to facilitate full recovery, but usually, modifications are possible, we just have to get creative and be patient with the process.

To sum up my 3 strategies

1. Diversify your options with the activities you do. If you only have one, pick up something new that interests you.

2. Mentally, frame your injury as a temporary limiter. Many injuries are not permanent; humans are incredibly adaptable. A good rehab plan can progress most people back to a point where they become fully capable again after injury.

3. Modify the way you participate in the thing you love while you recover. Maybe you can’t surf right now like you could before. But maybe you could still swim, practice breath holds, paddle-board or train other components of surfing in the gym, to keep your toes in the water, if you will.

If you need a rehab plan that keeps you close to the activities you love, I want to develop that for you. Let’s talk

Chris