There comes a time in one’s life when you realize that you have more years behind you than before you. Normal aging has brought me to this point in my own life. It’s a vantage point from which I can look back at experiences in my life and connect a few dots.

I’ve been pondering the similarities between my long concussion recovery and the process of climbing a mountain. My main concussion recovery extended four years, although I’ve had more issues in recent times. I climbed Mt. Adams four times back in the 80s.

Climbing a mountain is a slow process. At Mt. Adams at least, you first backpack in and climb up to a rocky area base camp. From there, you rise early and climb straight up a long incline to the false summit and then on to the top of the mountain. It’s a strenuous climb up that long stretch to the false summit. What stands out to me is that you take a step, stop and breathe, and then take another step. It’s steep, so an ice axe and crampons are necessary (at least they were back in the 80s). I also had an added issue in that a trail in the snow had been established. There were footsteps to climb up, but they were made by people taller than me (which is most everyone). As a result, my steps were necessarily longer and more difficult. I focused on looking forward, taking a step, breathing, and taking another step. Eventually I and our group made it to the top, every time. One of the main memories for me of the climbs is that basic process:

Take a step. Breathe. Take a step.

This process is exactly how a concussion recovery works, especially a prolonged one. I’ve so often thought of it as “baby steps” that is an inch-by-inch progression. You can’t rush it. You have to go with the flow. Don’t try to go too fast. I know it’s maddening and disheartening, but it really works best to just:

Take a step. Breathe. Take a step.

This is why I’ve chosen a climbing and nature overall content theme to this site. If you’ve hiked in the mountains, you’ll be familiar with the start of hikes where you walk through forests and continually climb until reaching a point at which you can scan the horizon. The photos selected for the home page reflect that. Work from the bottom up. The two forest photos are of Olympic National Park in Washington State. The top photos are of mountains in another part of the world. You don’t just land at the top of a mountain. You have to work to get there, and it’s a long, plodding, sometimes difficult process. However, there’s much to take in and enjoy along the way.

Recovery is a climb. It’s worth the view at the top. Take your time to get there and enjoy surroundings along the way. Note your achievements, your successes, your improvements. Those are your steps. Let them energize you and keep pushing until you get to the top.

I’ll share what I’ve learned through my own journey to help as a guide in your recovery endeavors. Never give up! You’ve got this.