October 2024 is a month I won’t forget in a hurry. Just when I thought my body was finally finding its rhythm again after breaking my shoulder in the summer, life decided to add another chapter. I broke my knee. Same side. Same body. Same lesson, delivered a little louder. Healing since then has been slow, sometimes painfully so, but it has also been steady. And that steadiness, even when it feels invisible, has become something I hold onto on the harder days. When you’re used to being active, independent, and mentally switched on, injuries don’t just affect your body. They seep into your mood, your plans, your sense of momentum. Suddenly everything takes longer. Walking, working, studying, even thinking ahead. Time stretches in odd ways, and patience becomes less of a virtue and more of a survival skill. Living With Setbacks on the Same Side Breaking my knee on the same side as my previously broken shoulder felt almost ironic. That side of my body had already been through months of limitation, discomfort, and cautious movement. To have it happen again felt unfair in a way that’s hard to explain without sounding dramatic. But injuries don’t care about fairness. What they do teach, though, is awareness. I’ve become acutely aware of how I move, how I rest, and how I support my body from the inside out. Recovery isn’t just about waiting for bones to knit back together. It’s about creating the best environment possible for healing. Supporting My Body, Naturally and Consistently One thing I’ve learned is that consistency matters more than miracles. I’ve been supporting my recovery with products that align with my values and that feel genuinely supportive to my body. Forever Heat Lotion has become part of my daily routine, especially when stiffness creeps in. The warming sensation helps ease tight muscles and brings a sense of comfort on days when everything feels a bit rigid. I’ve also been taking dissolvable Magnesium, which has helped with muscle tension and relaxation. When movement is limited, even small imbalances can make a big difference, and magnesium has become a quiet but reliable ally. For my joints and bones, Forever Freedom has been a steady companion. Recovery is about the long game, and supporting joint health feels especially important when rebuilding strength after injury. And then there’s Forever Bee Propolis Cream, which I use regularly for its soothing properties. There’s something grounding about taking time to care for your body in small, intentional ways. It reminds me that healing is happening, even when progress feels slow. Returning to the Gym, Carefully One of the biggest milestones for me recently has been returning to the gym. Not to chase personal bests or push limits, but to rebuild trust in my body. Going back has been humbling. Strength that once felt automatic now requires focus and patience. Exercises are modified. Progress is measured in tiny wins rather than dramatic leaps. But every session reminds me that my body hasn’t given up on me, even when I’ve felt frustrated with it. Working out again has helped me mentally as much as physically. It brings structure to my days and gives me a sense of forward motion, even when other areas of life feel stuck. The Frustration of Waiting What’s been hardest isn’t just the physical healing. It’s the waiting. I can’t work on site at the moment, and that weighs heavily on me. I miss the rhythm of being somewhere, contributing, interacting face to face. There’s a particular kind of frustration that comes from wanting to work, being able to work mentally, but being held back physically. College has been slow as well, which adds to that feeling of being paused while the world keeps moving. I want to push ahead, speed up the course, and get to the next stage. Instead, I’m learning that sometimes progress looks like staying put and doing what you can, rather than rushing toward what you can’t yet reach. Boredom has become a frequent companion. Long stretches of time can feel heavy when your options are limited. But boredom also creates space, and I’m slowly learning how to use that space rather than resent it. Gratitude for My Online Business and This Blog One thing I am deeply grateful for is my online business and this blog. They’ve given me a voice at a time when my physical world has felt smaller. Writing helps me process what’s happening, and sharing honestly allows others to see that healing isn’t linear or glamorous. It’s messy, repetitive, and often frustrating. But it’s also deeply human. My online business gives me purpose on days when motivation runs low. Selling items that are close to my heart reminds me why I started in the first place. Every purchase isn’t just a transaction. It’s support. It’s someone choosing to believe in what I do, even when I’m rebuilding myself piece by piece. When people buy from me, they’re supporting a small business run with care, intention, and lived experience. That means more to me than I can easily put into words. Looking Ahead With Quiet Hope I don’t know exactly when I’ll be able to return to a job on site, or how quickly college will move forward. I don’t know how long my knee will take to feel fully like mine again. What I do know is that healing is happening, even when it feels slow. This season is teaching me patience, resilience, and trust in small daily efforts. It’s reminding me that progress doesn’t always shout. Sometimes it whispers. For now, I’ll keep supporting my body, showing up to the gym, writing when I can, and running my business with heart. And I’ll keep hoping that soon, very soon, the next chapter will begin with a little more freedom and a lot more strength.