A previous post here was about the lessons I’ve learned from having two herniated spinal discs. That problem ended up needing surgical intervention.

The surgery was on a Monday. It took about 9 hours from start to finish for me including about three in the actual surgery. My sweet husband Bob drove me home from the surgery center and made sure I was comfortable. The anesthesia had not yet worn off but as I am told for some reason, I felt the need to do something on my computer. Whatever it was (who knows?!) either got done or forgotten and in my drugged state,  put my MacBook down.  Quick reminder: I have ADHD. Anesthesia + unmedicated ADHD= Where the hell is my computer?!?

For several days I was out of it thanks to the world of pharmaceutical painkillers. When reality came back into focus, I neither remembered touching my computer after surgery or knew where it was stored. Because it was off network I couldn’t “ping” it for location.
Initially, panic struck. Then I realized the gift hidden in this situation.

Over the next 5 days, I accomplished an incredible amount of valuable activity that usually doesn’t get a spot on my priority list:

• finished two non-fiction books left over from my last couple of trips to the beach
• wrote thank you notes to folks who sent flowers, food, and happy thoughts
• totally killed a video game my daughter played recently & never thought we’d complete
• continued to play video games completely by myself like I did when I was 12
• finished a super boring management book that was recommended to me
• filled up a couple of pages in one of my adult coloring books; selectively colored designs on other pages throwing caution to the wind that the pages remain incomplete (take that, obsessive tendencies!)
• binge-watched a network TV show I’ve been wanting to check out for nearly two years (and fell in love with it)
• snuggled with both of my dogs at one time while wearing pajamas on the couch under a blanket (multiple times)
• got caught up on sleep
• meditated daily
• visited with many friends
• watched cooking shows and learned how to make lots of new things
• finally made a red velvet cake and icing from scratch (with help since I was movement impaired, but still!)
• eliminated several unnecessary things to de-clutter the house
• watched a zillion trailers for movies to find some “don’t miss” ones still to come
• allowed my family to help me (this is a major accomplishment)
• ate cookies with whipped cream piled on top of them, cheese lasagna, and cake (not simultaneously!)
• finished the 4th Chronicle of Narnia with my precious daughter
• Started the 6th Harry Potter book with my precious daughter
• fell asleep in my sunroom’s hammock chair
• took off my Fitbit and didn’t worry about my step count
• made socks my primary footwear
• listed several items on eBay that have been in a cluttered pile for months
• won the top prize for the daily competition on Crossy Road… complete waste of time or relaxing activity? Who cares!?
• played with my daughter’s dolls (with her, of course)

Those things don’t seem to be that big of a deal, but many of us are so high energy and lack an “off” switch to allow for that type of behavior.

We’ll draw different lessons from this;  mine is that a break from electronics gives us perspective. We may not be able to cut the cord completely for days on end like I did during a medical recovery period, but mini-breaks and “unplugged hours” are possible on a daily basis. Breaks are important especially on the days you ‘don’t have time’ for a break.

One way a coach helps people is by seeing what is otherwise unseen. Sometimes what is unseen is a need to unplug. There are all sorts of things we miss while engaging autopilot in our game of life. I used to believe everyone needs an excellent therapist, but now I realize everyone needs an excellent coach. Click here to schedule an exploratory session to see what coaching can do for you!

p.s. After finding my laptop, I still didn’t open it for two days. That is what I call progress.