Without rest, identity becomes performance. How true this has rung for me, both in my career and stroke recovery, as I rebuild my identity in this new broken body. I have a tendency to overdo it - my old boss can vouch for me. I pour myself into my podcast, hobbies, and new “brilliant” ideas without pause. Although these all start with purpose and intention, I’m not always acting from purpose.

Some call it being a “workaholic.” I call it crossing the line from identity to performance. It’s where productivity becomes priority rather than purpose. Restraint brings me back to why I’m doing what I’m doing in the first place.

In my stroke recovery, restraint protects my physical well-being, minimizing my chronic pain. Restraint is leaving something in the tank, honoring my limits, and choosing sustainability over intensity. Restraint, for me, is wisdom in action rather than simply awareness, and it’s how I stay well enough to show up again tomorrow.

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#restraint #StrokeRecovery #Disability #ChronicPain #Recovery