Brain injury requires reducing your cognitive load

Brain injury requires reducing your cognitive load

My brain can literally feel like a hornets nest (most of the time). A muddled space where thoughts, memories and information, go to die (a slow death).

One coping strategy, that works (for me), is to reduce my cognitive load. I’ve had to learn a few and continue to do so, as I figure it all out…

Things I could easily do before, I struggle with now. For me personally, that, in itself, is hard to accept. BUT, I’ve had to, in order to function. If I don’t, the consequences are; heightened anxiety, negative self-talk, depression and thoughts, dark enough, to scare the beJesus out of anyone!

So, as a means of self-care, I (respectfully) decline to push the boundaries of my cognitive limitations. Especially, if the end result leads to the above consequences. A fight I’m only willing to entertain from myself, during times where I forget, and on my “good days”. As I work on my own understanding of living with a brain injury and how it affects me.

Because brain injury is invisible, those around me don’t understand what they can’t see. I can’t change that. I can only explain the changes within me, and hope there’s enough compassion and/or empathy in the next person to cultivate that understanding. IF NOT, then that’s something THEY need to wrestle with, NOT ME…

Now, if I say I can’t do something, I mean it. Forget about what old me could always do. This is the new me and her brain needs a break!

Published by Skyewaters

I blog about Hydrocephalus to give a voice to the millions (if not billions) of people around the world with this condition NOT disease.  As much as these experiences are unique to me and my family, I’m sure others have experienced it too.  My aim…to shine a light on it and raise awareness – simple and challenging at the same time but worth it!

No Comments

Make yourself heard and contribute to the conversation

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.