🩼 6 weeks on crutches & the list that's keeping me sane

What's happening: I'm having hip surgery in December that involves breaking my hip bone and 6 weeks on crutches 😬

What you'll find here: A simple exercise that reminds you you're stronger than you think, even when life keeps testing that theory.

The real talk: Sometimes the best way to face what's ahead is to remember everything you've already survived.

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Hey {{first_name}},

Every week I hop on a call with my therapist and she asks how I'm doing. And just about every week I laugh and say, "Well, something new came up."

At this point, it's basically our opening act. She knows it. I know it. We both know 2025 has been the year that keeps on giving—and not in the fun, surprise-party kind of way.

If you've been reading along (bless you for sticking with me through this wild ride), you already know about the brain tumor, the layoff, the new job... and now you're probably thinking, "Ay Viry, qué más?!"

So here it is: I'm getting hip surgery 🙃

And not just any surgery— it’s the kind where they will break my hip bone, and hold it by screws to fix it.

Yep, you read that right. They're going to break it on purpose. Recovery? Six weeks on crutches, and at least 6 months of physical therapy. 

By months 2-3, I should be walking again without assistance, but I've read the first three weeks are the worst, which—conveniently—fall right around the holidays. So if I go radio silent in December, just know I'm probably horizontal, questioning all of my life choices, and desperately missing being able to walk to my own kitchen.

Needless to say, your girl has been freaking out.

Not just about the surgery itself, but about everything it represents. The vulnerability of needing help. The loss of independence (especially as an eldest daughter who learned to be independent from a young age). The fear that maybe, just maybe, this will be the thing that finally breaks me (pun very much intended).

But then I remembered something I read a while back—a simple exercise for moments when you doubt your own strength. And honestly? It's been the one thing keeping me grounded as I spiral through Reddit posts and worst-case scenarios at 2 a.m.

Here's what you do: grab a sheet of paper and write down all the moments you thought you couldn't get through. The times you were convinced you wouldn't bounce back. The experiences that felt like they would break you.

When doubt creeps in about what you can handle, this exercise reminds you of your own resilience:

Pro tip: Add to this list over time. Each new entry becomes proof that you can handle whatever comes next.

I started my own list, and here's a peek at what I wrote:

Each of those moments—and trust me, there are many more—felt like my life was over. Like I wouldn't bounce back. Like maybe this was finally the thing that would be too much.

And yet…

Here I am! Somehow, some way, I found the strength, the confidence, the sheer stubborn determination to push through to the other side. Not perfectly. Not gracefully. But I did it.

Reading this list reminds me that I am strong. That I've already done hard things—really hard things. And that this surgery recovery? It'll just be another entry on that list one day. Something I'll look back on and think, "Damn, I really did that."

I’ve still got a few more months of “normalcy.” Then yeah, I might ghost you during those first few weeks post surgery. But honestly? It's the holidays. I'm sure you and your inbox could use the break. 😉

Until then, expect more stories about celebrating progress over perfection—because if there's one thing this year has taught me, it's that perfection was never the goal anyway. Getting through it, messy and imperfect and still standing? That's the win.

Take 10 minutes to write down 3-5 moments you thought would break you—but didn't. Keep that list somewhere you can see it when you need a reminder that you're stronger than you think.

If you're comfortable sharing, reply and tell me about one thing on your list. I'd love to celebrate your resilience with you.

_{¿Qué dijo? / What did she say?}
Ay Viry, qu é más?! -Oh Viry, what else?! / what now?!