Everyday Brain: Getting to Know My New Brain
Living with Brain Fatigue after Stroke
For most of my life, I didn’t think about my brain. I just used it.
Then I had a stroke.
I was pretty sure my brain was damaged.
But for four years I thought recovery meant my job was getting my old brain back.
Today’s Brain
For the first time in my life, I think about my brain—the one I have now.
What changed wasn’t me.
It was my brain.
It took me a long time to understand that.
I was still curious.
I still wanted to learn, and read, and write.
I was still interested in the world.
But the way my brain worked had changed.
When I get fatigued, I feel pressure on the right side of my brain. If I keep pushing, I can even start to feel nauseous.
I’ve learned these are signs that it’s time to stop and come back later.
That’s when I know my Brain has reached its limit.
What Helps me.
I walk.
I cook.
I travel.
I write.
I laugh with Keith.
I keep asking questions.
I still dream about what’s next.
In many ways, I’m still the same person I’ve always been.
Instead of fighting My Brain, I (try to) listen to it
Every day I’m learning what helps, what hurts, when to push forward, and when to rest.
I’m working on learning how to live well with the brain I have.
And for me, that’s what Everyday Brain is all about.
When my brain is tense, I stop and walk. (Or at least that’s the smart thing to do.)
I’ve learned to spread difficult tasks throughout the week instead of trying to do everything in one day.
I use AI as my teacher when long instructions become overwhelming.
I use text-to-speech whenever I can, because listening and reading together helps me understand words.
I do my writing when my brain is fresh.
I’ve also learned that taking care of my brain doesn’t begin when I’m tired. It begins the night before.
Meditation, 4-7-8 breathing, and a quiet bedtime routine all help me wake up with a brain that’s ready to work again.
I’m still learning.
Spoon Theory has helped me understand that my brain has limits.
Next month I’m planning to learn about the Pomodoro Technique to see if it helps, too.
These are the things that are helping me today.
Next month I may discover something new.
That’s what Everyday Brain has become.
Not a search for my old brain.
I’m getting to know the one I have now.