Constant digital notifications, endless to-do lists, and the pressure to always be available have quietly stolen precious hours from my life. Saying yes to everything brought burnout, stress, and missed opportunities for time with myself, rest, reflection, and personal growth. After experiencing a stroke in 2021, I was forced to reclaim my time. Letting go of the life I once knew and sitting with my broken self was devastating. It took courage, vulnerability, and so many tears.
As I approach my fourth year of stroke recovery this June, I am finally setting boundaries that honor my disability. This act of self-respect, self-restraint, and self-love has been an uphill climb. By clearly defining my priorities and learning to say no with confidence, I am designing a happy life that looks nothing like the one I left behind. Reclaiming my time is unplugging from digital devices for much of my day, gently challenging my brain and body through intentional movement, and protecting my eyes from too much movement and light while allowing just enough stimulation for healing. I now prioritize self-care, carve out space for the activities that bring me joy, and cultivate a deeper sense of gratitude and fulfillment than I ever knew before.
Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.
For more information, visit me at recoverydailypodcast.com or email me at rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com.
Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling
This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi
#ReclaimYourTime #StrokeRecovery #HealingJourney #DigitalDetox #SetBoundaries #ChronicIllnessWarrior #SelfCareMatters #MentalHealthAwareness #IntentionalLiving #GratitudePractice
