I haven’t been as diligent about writing lately, and if you read my recent Instagram post, you probably know why. Two and a half weeks ago I was crossing the street in my neighborhood on the crosswalk and was hit by a car. The driver didn’t see me and I didn’t see him either. In fact, I don’t remember anything about the actual accident.
Fast-forward to now. I’m sitting next to my backpacking bag that’s full of all camping and hiking gear because I’m leaving today for a camping and hiking trip in Havasu Falls, Arizona. I should be super excited.
Instead, I’m super anxious. The rollercoaster-like feeling in my chest I normally get with an upcoming trip that’s as a result of excitement has been replaced by nervousness and travel anxiety.
I feel this way because it’s my first trip since the accident, which was only two and a half weeks ago. The abrasions on my head have almost healed fully, but I’m still in pain from the accident. I can’t bend over to load the dishwasher or even shave my legs without back pain. I am constantly switching out ice packs on my back and neck. If I get goose bumps on my body or shiver because I’m cold, it makes the abrasion on my head hurt. It’s all still very recent.
I should be excited about this trip, but I’m worried I won’t be able to handle the hiking like I normally can. Just the day before the accident I went on a 10-mile hike that got me really hyped for Havasu. But unlike my last big hike in Torres del Paine, I won’t be doing it alone this time. It worries me that I won’t be able to pull my own weight on this hike. I don’t want to hold up the group. We planned this trip a few months ago – I didn’t expect to get hit by a car between then and now. Who could anticipate that?
Aside from the anxiety from physical injury, my emotional state isn’t at its best. I spent the day yesterday in the hospital because joined a study for brain and head trauma patients. I laid with my head in an MRI machine for an hour and underwent hours of brain games and questioning. One of the questions asked was about feeling distressed in normal situations after the accident. That’s a big, fat, YES. I feel jumpy and nervous every time I cross the street now. Sometimes even the shadow of a car throws me off guard.
I know this is in part because I can’t remember the accident. I only know what others told me about the accident and I only remember the aftermath in the hospital. I don’t even remember the ambulance ride. It frustrates me not to be able to remember an incident that could have been a lot worse. That could have ended my adventure on earth. And it wasn’t at no fault of my own.
My mom highlighted that it’s kind of crazy that I’ve traveled all over the world – many of those places as a solo traveler – and nothing really bad every happened to me (thankfully). Then I move to a new city in my home country and experience a traumatic accident. It could have easily happened anywhere, but it didn’t.
I know it’ll take time to recover fully from the accident. Though I’m feeling a lot better than two weeks ago and I’ve healed a lot, I’m still not at 100%. I’m not in the same hiking condition I was when I trekked solo in Torres del Paine, that’s for sure. I was a confident solo traveler then. Now I feel more weak and dependent on others to help me through day-to-day life, let alone a hike. I tossed around the idea of not going on the trip because I don’t feel prepared, but I still don’t want to miss out on this hike I’ve wanted to do for a long time. This feeling of self-doubt is worse than the physical pain itself. It’s not only affecting my ability to travel but if affects my personal relationships, too.
Don’t they say that running long races like marathons are all mental? If that’s mental, then maybe if I feel mentally strong enough to complete this trek and have a good time, the physical strength will follow. I’m trying really hard to not let this travel anxiety about my next trip get in the way of going on it and having a good time, but the emotional struggle is real.
OMG Lavi…I’m so glad you’re okay….well, I’ve been reading lots recently by Dr Daniel Amen about brain injury and brain health, esp as it pertains to ADD (members of my family). I sympathize with you over the changes, any loss, the anxiety and fears. I send you healing thoughts and courage to face your challenges. I’m curious how the hike panned out.
Author
Thank you so much for the kind words, Karen! The hike was so great! Stay tuned for upcoming posts about it!
Hey Lavi, sorry to hear you had an awful time! I once had to cancel a trip because I ended up in hospital, and when I rescheduled it I kept thinking that something would go wrong. Once I got into the trip itself I found it was okay, but it was just the buildup that made me anxious. Hope you feel better soon.
Author
Hi Kat! Thanks for your message! I feel a lot better and I think you’re right, the buildup was the worst part. It all worked out in the end!
So sorry you’re feeling anxious after the accident. That’s definitely a normal reaction to have though!! It will take time to recover both physically and mentally. Listen to your body and try not to push yourself too hard on this hike.
Author
You’re so right! Thanks for reading and being so supportive, Lauren! xoxo 🙂
Lavi, am so sorry to hear of your accident and subsequent side effects. Hope you feel back to yourself, at 100%, quickly. You are lucky not to remember this. Yes, it’s frustrating to not remember something. All of us want to be in control of ourselves and our thoughts. Please remember this: There is no advantage remembering something so painful as being run over by a car.
Author
Hi Barbara, I am feeling much better. The hike was great and I’m glad I pushed myself to go on it! You’re right that there’s no advantage to remembering something traumatic, it’s probably best that it’s lost somewhere in the depths of my mind.
So proud of you for facing your fears, so many people would not be able to do. I was in an earthquake and tsunami but without injury. It rattled me but I got back up off me feet and keep going. Each time is better. You got this.
Author
Thank you for your kind and encouraging words, Andi! It must have been terrifying to be in an earthquake and tsunami – those are my biggest fears. I’m glad you were able to move forward from it as I’m working on doing too!
Wow Lavi. That’s a scary experience you’ve had, so as others have commented completely natural for you to be feeling anxious. I hope that your hike helps to make the anxiety disappear, but even if it doesn’t, just keep doing your thing and it will go eventually. Enjoy your trip!
Author
You’re right, Jo! The hike was great and helped me realize that it was more my fear than the actual pain that was holding me back. I’m doing much better now though 🙂
I hope you have made a full recovery. I see from the comments that the hike was a success. I totally get how you could feel anxious. If you can have an accident so close to home where it is safe, a faraway and mostly unknown place can be even scarier.
I,m glad you’ve made a good recovery and had the courage to venture out into the unknown once again. I’ve had experiences like this before and the most difficult thing is returning for the first time to do it again. Glad you made it through it.