What Could Possibly Go Wrong? A Lesson from Meribel, France

What could possibly go wrong here??? Me in Meribel, France

Embracing the Unexpected

Well, sometimes sh*t happens. 🫣 Last month was one of the best trips of my life. I spent a week skiing in Les 3 Vallées, France, in the French Alps. However, it also turned into one of my worst experiences. I got injured!

For the first time in my adult life, I found myself sidelined and in physical therapy.

The Thrill of Skiing

At first, everything was going wonderfully in the Alps! The slopes were breathtaking, and my spirits were high. I was conquering runs and enjoying every moment. Then, disaster struck. On the third day, I took a hard fall that I could have avoided. Yes, I was going too fast.

I consider myself fortunate. I managed to pick myself up, dust off the snow, and slowly make my way back down the mountain to where my friends were waiting for me. It was a moment I won’t forget. I often ask myself, “What is this trying to teach me?”

Reflections on Setbacks

Even when life seems to be going smoothly, unexpected challenges can arise. Have you ever experienced this? Things are going great, and then you hit a BIG bump on the slopes, so to speak?

At that moment, I had a choice. I could have thrown in the towel or stopped enjoying the outdoors and skiing altogether. Instead, I took a different route.

Finding Humor in the Pain

That night, I iced my shoulder and had some laughs about the situation (at my own expense!). I kept myself comfortable, taking Advil for the pain over the next few days. Remarkably, I managed to ski for two more days. The first day, I used only one pole, and by the second day, I was back to using two poles—albeit very slowly. My lower body was fine, after all.

Now, one month later, I’m working on my recovery through physical therapy. I've developed what I like to call my "3-step Pause Plan" to help me get back into alignment. I invite anyone going through a setback, injured or otherwise, to give it a try:

1. Pause

This step is about intentionally shifting your behavior. I’ve created a new mantra for myself. When my shoulder “talks” to me, I remind myself, “My body is the healer, and my cells have everything they need.” I make it a point to treat myself kindly, icing my shoulder and doing my exercises. Pausing is essential for recovery. Whatever happened, own it and know you can create your plan.

2. Stay Objective

When I find myself wanting to have a pity party or entertain my negative inner critic about my soreness (or the fact that I can’t row until I heal), I switch gears. I ask myself what feeling I’m having. Am I being objective? What would be more beneficial in this moment? It’s crucial to evaluate these emotions to move forward effectively.

3. Take One Action Step

This might be completing my physical therapy exercises, appreciating nature out my window, or visualizing myself back in the boat with full extension of my shoulder. The healing process is already happening!

Looking Forward: Embracing Healing

Here’s to all your self-healing! We all have our paths to better alignment. When things don’t seem to be going our way, remember the 3-step Pause Plan. It truly works.

We all deserve to feel aligned, and sometimes, obstacles arise to remind us of that truth. In my case, I’m learning to love my body, embrace the healing process, and most importantly, S L O W D O W N. Er, uh, pause! :D

Closing Thoughts

In conclusion, life is full of unexpected moments, both good and bad. It's essential to navigate these experiences with grace and resilience. As I heal and return to skiing, I'm grateful for the lessons learned.

Check Out More

If you'd like more details about my experience, be sure to tune into Podcast Ep. 196, which goes deeper into what happened. It’s available next Tuesday. Meanwhile, you can catch this week's episode here.

XO

Rachael