REBOUND
Synonyms: spring back, recover, recoil, rally, Be Audibull...
Everytime I have said the word rebound, it was in a judgemental tone to a friend who has entered a talking stage or relationship before they fully healed from their previous breakup.
Last Sunday is the first time in nearly a decade that the word “REBOUND” meant something different.
Case in point?
An elastic band recoiling after a pull, mothers in post natal phase trying to get back into their pre-natal routines (career and life), the body healing after a major injury etc.
Hi Audibull (flashes a shy smile).
I have been away for sometime, living and learning another turn that life can take.
Certain phases in life can undo your drive and shatter your ability to feel, think or recall.
You who could do your laundry, prepare lunch and contribute to two meetings simultaneously, can now barely recall what you really wanted to become.
You forget what usually is your daily routine.
As an ex-workaholic, you avoid the minimum marks of productivity; to-do lists, weekly plan, assessments, social media calendar, TBR target.
The guilt overwhelms you often. Worse still, there's no one you can tell how you really feel.
I have been there and now I understand certain bible characters better.
Elijah seemed so faithless when he plunged into depression after his great conquest at Carmel, but now he doesn't anymore, because we all are Elijah at certain phases of our lives.
Audibull, Life can change you (even if it's just for a short time).
Chimaamanda shared how she couldn't write fiction for 10 years, not as a matter of choice, but because she just couldn't. She called that phase “unbearable”.
I always claimed that self driven people can never lose to life, but I know differently now. Life can happen in motherhood, a day, a week, a month, a school, a relationship…
Don't overestimate the control you have over life.
There are many moments in life where you would need more than your aspirations, habits and drive. In those moments, your circle, faith, devotion and relationship with family is the compound account you'd withdraw from to REBOUND.
Deposit as much as you can in these places.
While I was dealing with life on my end, I worried for you too, because life is an attention seeking beast with many limbs, it deals simultaneous blows on as many as are alive.
I hope that you didn't have to fight alone and that like me, you have had God, family and the most supportive friends to remind you of the champion that you are.
If you haven't, I am here to remind you that you are not alone in the recent struggles and that whatever THIS PHASE is, it will pass. It always does.
I feel beyond elated to write to you again and if you don't feel Audibull right now.
“Take all the time that you need to recover”.
My mentor said this to me when I told her how sad I felt to be so out of my regular.
You'll look back and be grateful for the miracle that this phase was.
To our recovery and rebound,
Mama Bull♥️