Hi everyone!
Unfortunately, the past few days in Sydney have been a little bumpier than my first one. My back started to hurt during my Saturday morning run — over the course of an hour, the minor aching turned into excruciating pain that left me unable to walk, sit, or lie down.
I’ve been mentally preparing myself for things to go wrong on this trip since I started planning in January. And yet, this kind of injury was not on my bingo card! It was incredibly scary to feel physically stuck in such an unfamiliar context, especially while traveling alone. I’ve had similar problems with my back before, but always when I was home with friends or family to help me do basic tasks and with doctors more readily available. I had already started to feel homesickness creep in the day before, and the pain in my back felt like an ugly reminder of how far I was from the people and places that help me feel safe.
However, this situation forced me to practice the self-growth I have been looking forward to on this trip. I relied on strangers in my hostel for help, a form of self-advocacy I’ve always struggled with. In making my way to the nearest urgent care clinic despite not being able to stand up straight, I accomplished what I had thought was impossible. By lying in bed for several days (even when I REALLY didn’t want to), I learned to prioritize rest and self-care. And I practiced gratitude in spite of myself: I’m so grateful nothing worse happened, I’m grateful for the doctors and strangers who helped when I needed it most, and I’m grateful for my amazing support system who were there for me through the hardest moments, even when 10,000 miles away.
On Sunday evening, I challenged myself to go on a walk. The rules: go slowly (even slower than you think you have to), stop when it gets painful, and stop when you aren’t having fun. I hoped to make it around my block once or twice at most. But I surprised myself — I made it all the way to the Opera House, one of my bucket list stops in Sydney! It was a powerful, hopeful reminder that everything will work itself out.
I’ll admit that this particular road bump poses some daunting questions about what the rest of this trip might look like. I suspect my back pain was a result of my heavy bags, long plane ride, and (to a lesser extent) travel stress — all factors that will be pretty unavoidable over the next few months. But handling this situation has helped me prove to myself that I can tackle these obstacles, no matter the gravity. I’m incredibly grateful for my renewed self-confidence and determination to have a spectacular, fruitful journey! To end on a liable note, enjoy some pictures of beautiful Sydney, which I will not hold liable for any back injuries : )
Bondi Beach to Congee Coastal Walk:
Surry Hills:
The Sydney Harbour Bridge (at sunset!):
