I Was Nervous, But I Did It! How Gently Pushing Yourself Can Support Concussion Recovery

— A Real Moment in My Concussion Recovery Journey

Prefer to listen? Go to Podcast episode 164: "Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone can really help in concussion recovery".

There I was, Sunday morning, enjoying my oat bowl with banana.

I felt a bit restless, like I always do when I push myself outside my comfort zone.

But there was also a feeling of excitement.

What if… maybe I can actually do this?

And when it works out, it’s proof again that I’m capable of more than my brain tells me—especially while healing from a concussion.

A Visit That Felt Like a Big Stretch (Post-Concussion Style)

Last Sunday, I went to visit my nephews because one of them had just turned two.

They live in Roermond, a town in the south of the Netherlands, about a 1.5-hour drive from Antwerp, where I live.

Right before I was about to leave, I checked again and suddenly saw that the trip would now take 1 hour and 50 minutes.

My immediate reaction:“Nooo, I can’t do this. 1.5 hours was already a big stretch for me—this is even worse!”

This is the kind of moment many of us with post-concussion syndrome face. The mental load of planning, the fear of pushing too far, and the worry that we’ll crash after.

Shifting the Inner Dialogue: From Fear to Trust

But then I told myself:“No, Silvie, just try. Just do it."

I’m not going to let my brain always keep me ‘safe’ in my comfort zone.

Because if I don’t go now, I’m signaling to my brain that this situation isn’t safe—and I’ll stay stuck in that anxiety loop forever.

In concussion recovery, gently pushing our boundaries is part of rewiring the brain and showing it what’s possible.

And Then I Did It (Despite the Fatigue Fears)

So off I went—first I had to get gas (as if that wasn’t stressful enough 😅).

But about 15 minutes into the drive, I started to feel calmer. It was going well.

An hour later? Still doing fine. I didn’t even need to stop.

After 1 hour and 50 minutes, I arrived at my family’s house—and I didn’t even feel exhausted.

I actually felt proud and happy that I had done it!

And after a busy visit, I drove the 1.5 hours back to Antwerp and got home by 10pm.

Take that, brain—looks like you were wrong about me not being able to do this. 😉

Why I’m Sharing This (Hope After Brain Injury)

With this message, I don’t want to say, “Hey, look at me!”

What I do want to share is this: Even after 8 years of living with a brain injury, I still see improvements.

Further reading: My 8-Year Concussion Anniversary: The Real Story

Things are still getting better. Symptoms are still healing.

I want to give hope to anyone who feels like their concussion recovery will never end.

Because I’ve often felt that way myself.

But these kinds of moments prove there is always hope,even when you can’t feel it right now.

Gently Pushing the Edges of Comfort

We’ve got this.

Believe in yourself.

Push yourself gently out of your comfort zone, and try something you haven’t done in a while.

Whether it’s a long drive, a dinner with friends, or going back to a hobby you once loved—life after concussion is about showing up again, one step at a time.

The Day After: Concussion Fatigue Didn’t Win

So how did I feel the day after that long drive and a busy day with kids?

Yes, I was a bit more tired.(That’s part of navigating concussion fatigue, right?)

But I also worked the entire day on Monday!

Mostly because I’m super excited about something NEW I’m working on right now…

Something New Is Coming: A Healing Challenge

I’m working on a challenge for The Concussion Community where I’ll share more about certain topics around recovery, mindset, pacing, and life with a concussion.

I’ve already asked for input from my members and on Instagram:

The idea is that we’ll go through this challenge together—to support and uplift each other during post-concussion healing.

We’re Moving: A Better Place for Brain Recovery

Exciting news!I’m moving The Concussion Community and Boost Program to a new platform that’s much easier to navigate, especially for brains that need things simple and clear.

Don’t Want to Miss Out?

Make sure to sign up for The Concussion Community waitlist so you’ll be the first to know when we start again.

Wishing you all a restful, empowering weekend—filled with small wins and gentle courage.

Love,

Silvie

7 things that have helped me the most in concussion recovery

What helped you the most?" I received this question daily in my inbox. That's why I created a free eBook so you can clearly see what truly aided my recovery.

These things helped me to:

✔️ reduce fatigue & brain fog

✔️ have more energy ✔️ improve my sleep ✔️ feel less stressed

✔️ exercise again (finally!) ✔️ have a better mood

Download it for free: