In shifting the narrative from striving for the perfect body to embracing the one we have, we make room for a healthier, more compassionate self-view. Instead of focusing on how we look, we can focus on how we feel in our skin, how we feel about what we’re doing with our bodies, how we care for them, and how we can continue to listen to their needs.

Injury recovery is not just a physical process, but also a deeply emotional and mental one. It is important to address the psychological aspects of recovery such as fear, depression, grief, and isolation, alongside physical rehabilitation. Crucial to the healing process includes mindfulness, visualization, and cultivating a positive relationship with the injured body part. Ultimately, the journey of recovery requires not only physical effort but mental and emotional resilience to return stronger and integrated with the injury as part of our identity.