Embracing the Slower Pace of TBI Recovery: How to Find Peace in the Small Wins

jordanswellness
Mar 21
5 min read

Updated: May 29

This blog post explores the slow-paced and often frustrating nature of TBI recovery and how embracing the small wins can help shift the focus to growth and healing. It offers practical advice for patients on how to find peace in the process and celebrate progress along the way.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is based on my personal experience and research regarding brain injury and recovery. It is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding your health or treatment.

TBI recovery is a journey that often feels like walking through an uncharted wilderness—full of obstacles, unexpected twists, and moments of doubt. For many of us, it’s also a journey of adjusting to a life that looks very different from what it once was. As someone who has been navigating the recovery process for quite some time, I’ve learned that healing from a brain injury is not just about physical recovery but also about adjusting to a new rhythm of life—one that may feel slower, but in many ways, is richer and more grounded.

The Frustration of a "Slower" Life

Before my injury, I was a go-getter—always on the move, always achieving, and constantly looking ahead to the next milestone. I was used to pushing myself, setting ambitious goals, and moving forward at full speed. But post-TBI, the pace of life slowed down significantly. Simple tasks became challenging, and the things that once came naturally—running a 10k, organizing a busy work schedule, or even having a conversation—suddenly felt out of reach. The frustration of not being able to do things I used to do was overwhelming at times.

In those moments, I found it hard to remember that healing wasn’t just about “getting back” to my old self, but about creating a new version of myself—a version that honored my injury and accepted the slower pace of recovery. The concept of small wins became crucial in my healing journey.

Eye and Neck Rehabilitation with Resistance Band — A photo of me lying down on a mat, performing a noodle exercise for my TBI recovery. A small resistance band is looped around my head, and I’m gently pulling the band to one side while keeping my head straight and centered. My eyes are focused on the opposite corner, moving them slowly and intentionally back to center. This exercise helps to improve neck stability, coordination, and ocular motor control, while also targeting the connection between the neck and eyes. By strengthening these connections, I’m working to rebuild neural pathways affected by my TBI, which improves my balance, vision tracking, and overall brain function. This is just one of the many exercises I do to support my healing journey.

Embracing Small Wins

Healing from a TBI isn’t like a race where you cross the finish line and suddenly feel better. Instead, recovery is a series of small, often invisible victories. These wins can be difficult to measure, especially since TBI symptoms—like brain fog, fatigue, and cognitive struggles—don’t have clear-cut markers the way a broken bone does. But over time, I've learned to celebrate the little things: a full night’s sleep, the ability to complete a task without overwhelming fatigue, or even finding the right words in a conversation after struggling to recall them.

Recognizing and celebrating these small wins is important because they serve as a reminder that progress is being made—even when it feels like you're stuck. When I look back on my recovery, I see that the little victories stacked up to something much bigger than I initially realized.

How to Find Peace in the Small Wins

Finding peace during TBI recovery is a challenge, especially when you’re living with constant reminders of your limitations. However, I’ve found that shifting my mindset has been key in fostering healing. Here are a few tips that helped me find peace during this slow-paced journey:

Reframe Your Goals: It’s easy to get discouraged when you can’t accomplish the things you once did. But shifting your perspective can help. Instead of focusing on what you can’t do, focus on what you can do. Whether it’s taking a short walk, completing a small task, or simply getting through the day with fewer headaches, those are all victories that matter.
Practice Patience: TBI recovery takes time—sometimes much longer than we want. Remind yourself that healing is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t rush the process. Celebrate the patience you’re developing along the way and the way your body and brain are slowly finding their new balance.
Connect with Supportive People: Having a strong support system is crucial in any recovery process. Reach out to friends, family, and others who understand or are going through a similar journey. They can help remind you of the progress you’ve made when you’re feeling stuck. This was vital for me, especially when I didn’t feel seen by medical professionals or even some of my close loved ones.
1. I not only find support in my husband, but I am also a part of several support groups online that I can connect with and share struggles and recovery help like the Reddit TBI group.
Practice Self-Compassion: Healing from a TBI is emotional as well as physical. Be kind to yourself and don’t beat yourself up for not being “back to normal.” You’re not failing if it takes time to heal, and your new normal might look different than what you expected—but that’s okay. Give yourself permission to be where you are and be proud of the progress you’ve made, even if it feels slow.
Journal Your Journey: Writing about your recovery can help you track small victories and see your growth over time. It’s easy to forget the progress you’ve made when you’re in the thick of recovery, but journaling provides a record that you can look back on to see how far you’ve come. This can be an incredibly powerful reminder that healing is happening, even when it feels invisible.
1. I blog and that is how I keep track of my progress. I use tools like AI to help me find words and piece together my jumbled mess into a clear and concise message, but most days if I just write down a few things and avoid the neural and cognitive fatigue of writing a full entry, I can look back and see my progress more clearly and that is truly special. I found that if I don't look at the small wins, I forget that I have improved - albeit slowly but I am healing.

The Long Road Ahead

TBI recovery doesn’t have a clear endpoint. The path is winding, and there will be ups and downs along the way. But the more we learn to embrace the slower pace of healing, the more we can appreciate the beauty in the journey itself. Healing isn’t about achieving some finish line—it’s about growing, adapting, and becoming stronger each day, no matter how small the victories may seem.

If you’re feeling frustrated or disheartened, know that you are not alone. We are all walking this journey together, and every small win, no matter how insignificant it may feel, is worth celebrating.

You’re healing, and that is something to be proud of. And again, focus on the small wins.