Accepting the “New You”
- Cheryl
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
Day FOUR
Life is full of changes that shape who we are and how we feel about ourselves. Throughout our lives we take on different roles and identities. After experiencing a trauma such as a stroke, life can change instantly and make us feel different. We may be have to be dependent upon others when before we were totally independent. We add “patient” and “survivor to our list of identities. Throughout recovery and beyond, our self esteem can take a hit.
After stroke, people often say, “I don’t feel like myself anymore.” The changes in speech, memory, or movement can make everyday life feel unfamiliar. But here’s something important to remember: you are still you.
The stroke may have changed what you can do—and how you do it—but it did not erase your core self.
Who You Are Hasn’t Changed
Your personality, your humor, your values, your love for others—these remain. If you were creative, kind, stubborn, thoughtful, or determined before, you still are now. The heart of who you are is untouched.
What Has Changed Is How You Do Things
Maybe before, you shared your stories with long conversations. Now, you might share them through shorter phrases, gestures, or even art.Maybe you worked quickly and independently before. Now, you pace yourself and ask for help sometimes.These changes are not about losing yourself. They’re about finding new ways to live as the same person you’ve always been.
Honoring Continuity and Growth
Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up. It means recognizing:
I am the same person.
I do some things differently now.
I am still growing and learning.
This perspective lets grief and gratitude live side by side: honoring the loss while also embracing the ways you continue to show up as you.
Gentle Reminder
You don’t need to rebuild your whole identity—there are still parts of you that are you. What you are building is confidence in the new ways you move through the world.
✨ Takeaway Tip: Write down (or tell a loved one) three qualities about yourself that have never changed. Keep them nearby as daily reminders of who you are.
NOTE: I used ChatGPT to help with organization and to make it cohesive. Aphasia can affect speaking, reading and writing. Tools, like chatGPT, can help.
Cheryl, your words really resonated with me. I so agree that it’s important to acknowledge our challenges without letting them define us. At our core, we are still who we’ve always been. For me, that’s my sense of humor, my love of learning, and my trust in God. Thank you for reminding us that acceptance and resilience can walk hand in hand.
Cheryl: As I read your post I'm smiling. I know the roller coaster. It was much more fun at 10 on the Cyclone. As i read you post I know you are ready, seat belt fastened and ready for the possibilities. Some of which I'm sure take your breathe away, like going down on that roller coaster. Thank you for sharing - you are supporting all of us.