Applying Energy Leadership to a Fifth Metatarsal Avulsion Fracture
Exercise is my go-to stress reliever.
As a woman, I am subject to frequent messaging equating health with strength, cardio, and small dress size.
So… being told that I can not use my foot limits what I can do and I have strong feelings about it.
After feeling angry and feeling like a victim, I’m taking the opportunity to use my injury as a real-world example of Energy Leadership. I know that keeping a positive attitude (higher energy levels) will lead to faster recovery, greater resilience, and personal growth - and that makes it a little easier.
I’m in week three and have been watching my energy levels fluctuate throughout the day. Writing this is helping me focus on my plan of:
Acknowledging and processing emotions (Levels 1-2).
Taking responsibility for healing while reframing the situation positively (Levels 3-5).
Embracing growth, intuition, and purpose in the journey (mainly Levels 6 with some Level 7)
Do you have anything you would benefit from mapping your responses to the different Energy Levels? I ran a session this week on Energy Levels and Your Brain Team. In it, we mapped receiving an email from someone who in the past has caused you distress. Below I map my injury.
Details of the Energy Levels
Level 1: Victimhood (Apathy, Helplessness)
Thoughts: I can’t believe this happened. I was so miserable when I tore my ACL in college. I finally got a spot in the Rose Bowl 5k this year and now I can’t run. How will I deal with stress? I can’t drive, it hurts, I’m scared I’m hurting it, it’s hard to sleep, and I’m tired! How will I manage everything? If this is happening now, how bad is it going to be when I’m older?
Feelings: Powerless, self-pity, fear.
What I’m doing: I’m allowing myself to feel the feelings but not wallow for too long. I’m challenging the negative self-talk and seeking support from others at times.
Level 2: Conflict (Anger, Resentment)
Thoughts: I hate this! What did I even do? The plastic drain thing shouldn’t have been there! If I hadn’t been wearing slides, would this have happened? Is this really what I need to do to heal?
Feelings: Frustration, resentment, and disbelief
What I’m doing: Recognizing that I’m going to be angry and allowing the anger to fuel the healing (not sure it’s helping that much). Focusing on what I can control. Looking for constructive outlets. Allowing
Level 3: Responsibility (Rationalizing, Coping)
Thoughts: Okay, I really did hurt myself. This is real and I need to make a plan to deal with it.
Feelings: Frustration, resentment, and defiance toward the situation.
What I’m doing: Making tracking sheets to try to watch my progress. Growing seeds to watch their progress since some say they will be ready for harvest when my boot may come off. Clearing my calendar so I can rest. Expressing my emotions. Practicing gratitude for the little things. Starting to recognize I can’t drive for a long time.
Level 4: Compassion (Concern for Others, Service)
Thoughts: How can I help others? How does my injury affect others? I don’t have to talk with people who need me to make them feel better about my injury.
Feelings: Empathy for others in similar situations and situations in which they have less autonomy. Joy in helping others.
What I’m doing: Trying to focus part of my day on self-care. Thinking about what slowing down means. Sharing what I’m learning with others who might benefit from it (link to healing journey).
Level 5: Reconciliation (Opportunities)
Thoughts: This is challenging in many ways and also an opportunity for growth. Can I identify other methods of stress relief? I can compare how my mindset is different during this recovery than my first knee surgery, which was horrific.
Feelings: Some hope and excitement around the things I’m able to do.
What I’m doing: Starting to unpack the extremely challenging emotions and thoughts around my first knee surgery. Finding time to be optimistic about something every day. Looking for ways to grow such as practicing healing meditation. Enjoying the little things.
Level 6: Synthesis (Flow, Intuition, Joy)
Thoughts: This injury is part of my journey and I will be a better person because of it. I’m learning to trust the process and embrace some of the experience. This is hard and I can do it. It’s okay to spend time at all energy levels.
Feelings: Pure joy when I realize I’ve found something I enjoy doing.
What I’m doing: Looking for calming and engaging things like puzzles. Trying to be more mindful.
Level 7: Pure Consciousness (No Judgment, Total Awareness)
Thoughts: It just is. Who knows what’s good or bad? Resistance is futile.
Feelings: This is part of the bigger picture. Nonjudgment (occasionally)
What I’m doing: Occasionally thinking about how everything is connected including the pain and healing
Does anything in my list resonate for you?
If you are interested in my healing journey - I’m trying to record it in case anything can help others.
