Page 2 of Love, In Balance

Despite doing so well on my new prosthetic, my residual leg muscles get sore, especially after a walk in the snow, and so it's important to give my body time to rest. The last time I quite literally ran before I could walk; my prosthetist handed me my arse on a plate.

I’d only been trying out my first leg for a few months and pushed myself too far, resulting in taking ten steps back in my both my physical, mental and emotional recovery.

Trust me, I listened to him and actually learned that time. Since then, I’ve followed the guidance he’s given to me like my life depended on it, because I’ve come to realise that in a way, it kind of does.

In order to soothe my muscles and let my leg rest, ready for the evening, I take my health teams advice and remove my gorgeous lower leg when I get home from walking.

She deserves rest too.

I use my crutches to get around. It took a long time to adapt

to this new way of life for me, but as I got older I realised how capable we are of doing so; adapting during difficult times that we thought would be the end of us. It turns out, it was just the beginning. When I truly lost everything that mattered to me, I had no idea I could grow and find my purpose in life.

I took a super lovely shower when I settled back into the Airbnb from my walk and was able to take my time thanks to having an accessible ensuite all to myself. Otherwise the guys would be queuing up for their turn and shouting at me to hurry up. I’d end up with one armpit and one leg unshaved.

And if you think I’m joking, I’m not. They rushed me so much before, I got overwhelmed and ended up leaving the house half clean shaven and half like a baby yeti.

Yes, It’s my own fault. I take ages showering.

But in my defence, I have long hair, balance issues, one full length leg to balance on in the slippery conditions, as opposed to the average two, and I enjoy the warm embrace of hot water on my skin, especially when it’s freezing outside.

It’s like a comforting cuddle, and a space just for me to feel at ease.

I get out of the shower with enough time to calmly get dressed, dry my hair and put some makeup on. I even light some scented candles and sip some mulled wine too.

Talk about living life.Thisgirl is fucking content.

For our little outing this evening, I decided to go with some short black dungarees, tights (of course), a cosy black long sleeved top and a burgundy, soft, thick cardigan alongside my black boots.

I paired it with a chunky faux wool black scarf because oh my, it is soooo cold outside.

I’ve even blessed fellow humans by wearing a padded bra, but if I’m being honest, it’s actually just so that my nips don’t freeze.

Chapter

1

Lista

Playlist:Is it New Years Yet– Sabrina Carpenter

“I’m going to the bar” I say flatly to the table of pumped-up men I happen to be sitting with.

Well, I don’t happen to be sat with them. They are my best friends, most of the time, so it was very much so a choice to be here, sharing a table.I digress.

Every once in a while, I need some breathing room, and since they forgot some of the drinks order, this is my cue for said breathing room.

It’s New Year’s Eve. I’m in the cosiest little country pub (Reed chose wisely), doing a special pub quiz, and couldn’t be happier to be spending it this way. I know what you’re thinking.Boring.But this is us. We are a group of academics. Need I say more?

We decided this year to hire an Airbnb in the countryside and spend the last days of December hiking, playing board games and doing an epic pub quiz, despite missing a few of the group members, therefore slightly less brain power.

Not for you? Fair enough.

We aren’t the type for clubs or loud parties, where you can only rely on body language to be able to communicate. Plus trying to avoid having drink spilt on you by hammered partiers.

So here we are, in the lake district, in a small pub, celebratingwith the locals.

It’s nice being away from home.

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