Experiencing Injury: The Comeback
“Always focus on how far you have come and not far you have to go” – Unknown
Can you imagine after having the ability to do basic multiplication your whole life, and out of nowhere 2 X 3 becomes a tricky math question for you? I mean how could it be? You did it easily in third grade, so there should be no way that as a young adult you’d struggle with something that once came so easy to you. This example can be applied to the injury process, and specifically the Comeback! After returning to your sport, your body may be 100% percent ready, but your confidence may have dissipated due to the precariousness of the injury process and therefore you may second guess what once was innate to you as an athlete.
We have discussed the first two stages of injury, which is the initial reaction and the ups and downs of the recovery and rehab process. The last stage of experiencing injury, is finally having the opportunity to return to your team and your sport as you cautiously begin to practice old movements and relearn patterns that once came second nature to you. This is the much-anticipated Comeback, and it looks extremely different for everyone. For some athletes, the Comeback may look like they never left the field or the court as they may return playing at the same level and for some, at an even higher level. On the other hand, for most athletes the Comeback is usually a painful time of adjustment as you may experience hiccups, setbacks, and must focus on certain aspects of your sport that may have once seemed simple and easy. This is a part of the injury journey and in some ways, it mirrors the recovery process as there are many highs and lows that will be experienced. The Comeback is an exciting time because all the emotions experienced during isolation and recovery can now be used as fuel to propel you forward but it is important to mention that the Comeback does not always play out the way you imagined and that is okay, as this is an inevitable reality of sports. Athletes will experience injury; some recover, return and are the same player and for some, this isn’t the case. Athletics are full of volatility and change, and because of this, the ability to adapt is an important skill that should be developed by athletes to be able to handle the changes that comes with sports.
It is imperative that during this time you lean on your teammates, coaches, support staff, and other confidants as this will be a pivotal time in your journey and can have lasting effects physically and mentally if not addressed during this period.
Communication is the biggest part of the Comeback process. Communicating when you don’t feel ready, when you are disappointed, and when you don’t feel well, mentally, is important! Realizing who you respond to, and who you feel comfortable with to share your thoughts, feelings, and emotions is vital during the Comeback. During this transition in your athletic window, you must give yourself grace! Do not be too hard on yourself and be mentally proactive by realizing that it is a day-to-day process. Your journey will look different than others. Comparing yourself only wastes your time and it is truly a useless action, as it brings no comfort and provides nothing in return. When you compare, you only lose! You lose self-esteem, self-belief, and you set yourself up for emotional failure. Appreciate your journey and take pride in coming back, as this is never an easy feat and the fact that you even made it that far should be celebrated. Your journey may not look like everyone else’s and taking pride in that fact will give you more peace in knowing that giving your best, will always be the best and the only thing you can do.
Goodluck on your Comeback!
