With my surgery now just a couple of weeks away, I’ve reached that strange point in the countdown where it suddenly feels very real. There’s still plenty of time before the big day, but close enough that I’ve started thinking less about the surgery itself and more about everything that needs to happen before it.
And, as I’m learning, preparing for surgery is about more than preparing your body. It’s preparing your life for a temporary change of pace.
Here are some things I’m doing:
Getting ahead at work: One of the biggest things on my list has been getting ahead at work. I work remotely, have a lot of moving pieces and, like many people, tend to have a hard time truly stepping away when there’s always something that could be done. So I’ve been trying to wrap up projects, get things organized and make sure I’m not leaving myself a giant to-do list for when I’m supposed to be recovering. It’s also meant getting comfortable with the idea that some things can wait. And that has probably been harder than I expected.
Getting the house in order: I’ve also been slowly tackling the things around the house that I know I won’t want to deal with afterward. Nothing particularly exciting—laundry, cleaning, organizing and making sure the things I use regularly are easy to get to. But there’s something about knowing you’re going to be recovering that makes you suddenly notice every little thing you’ve been putting off.
Stocking up: I’m also making sure I have the basics on hand so I won’t have to worry about running out to the store for things while I’m recovering. Groceries, easy meals, household essentials and all of those little things that you take for granted when you’re feeling like yourself. The goal isn’t to prepare for some elaborate period of hibernation. It’s simply to make life a little easier for myself when my energy needs to go toward healing.
Creating a comfortable recovery space: I’ve started thinking about where I’ll actually spend my time during those first few days and what I’ll want within reach. Chargers. Water. Comfortable clothes. Things to watch. Things to read. Basically, anything that will allow me to stay put when I’m supposed to be resting. I’m trying to think less about creating the “perfect” recovery setup and more about making things convenient.
Taking care of myself now: There’s also something to be said for taking care of yourself before you need to recover. I’m trying to prioritize sleep, stay hydrated, move my body while I can, and generally take care of myself without turning it into another checklist I have to complete. I know I can’t control everything about surgery or recovery. But I can control how I show up for myself beforehand.
Learning to slow down: And then there’s probably the biggest part of all…mentally preparing to slow down. I’m not particularly good at sitting still. Between work, Living in Steil, the barn, sailing, errands, social plans and all of the other things that make up everyday life, there’s usually somewhere I need to be or something I want to do. For a little while, that’s going to look different. I’m trying to remind myself that resting isn’t falling behind and I don’t need to fill every minute just because I’m used to doing so.
So here I am, officially halfway through the countdown. There’s still plenty to do before surgery day, but I’m taking one thing at a time and focusing on what I can control until the day comes.
What would you add to this list?
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