I put my pants on one leg at a time, but not like everyone else. When I do it, I make it mean there is a problem with my leg.
HIP CHICK
Last year I had hip replacement surgery and a couple of big hopes as I healed from the surgery. First, I was desperate to get rid of the debilitating pain I’d endured for the previous two years. Second, I was looking forward to moving better again.
And by moving better, I don’t mean getting back into marathon training or climbing Mt. Everest, I mean simple, everyday movements. Top of my list were being able to scrub the bottom of my feet in the shower and being able to lift my leg/foot up high enough to put pants on while standing.
These may sound like small things, but when they interfere with your everyday life, they can become big things. Having to think about or find hacks to do things that most people can do automatically adds a level of complexity to everyday life.
THE FIX IS IN
Surgery came and went and I began to heal and work through physical therapy with less pain and more mobility along the way. I’m not sure exactly when it happened, but one day I shouted to my husband from the bedroom:
“I was able to lift up my foot high enough to put it in my pants leg!”
He didn’t seem super excited about my proclamation, but my enthusiasm could not be dampened. If I was back to putting my pants on one leg at a time like everyone else, there was no limit to what I might be able to do next.
ON THE OTHER FOOT…
Fast forward a year and I began to notice every time I went to put on a pair of pants, I was catching my left foot and tripping. I didn’t have this problem with the right foot, so my suspicions grew. It was my left hip that I had surgery on. It was my left leg and foot I had trouble lifting prior to my surgery. What was happening? Was something wrong with my hip again?
As the weeks went on and I continued to have this problem, my anxiety grew along with it. Maybe my new hip wasn’t so great after all. Maybe I should have done more exercises to keep my left side stronger. Maybe I should have gone back to the chiropractor like I swore I would. Maybe I’m already starting to ruin this hip like I ruined the last one.
A DECISION AND AN AHA
Yesterday as I stood in my bedroom, ready to put on my pants, I had a thought. Maybe I’ve babied my left side too much and it’s just weaker than the right. I’ve always been very right dominant, so that made perfect sense. I almost ALWAYS lead with my right side in anything I do.
I made the decision to start leading with the left in the hopes of getting my left side stronger again. I lifted up my left foot and put it into my pantleg with no problems whatsoever. Interesting. As I lifted my right foot to put the other pantleg on, I caught my toe and tripped.
In that moment, I realized there was nothing wrong with anything on my left, or my right sides for that matter. My problem wasn’t a problem after all. It was obvious that I simply needed to make a slight adjustment in how high I lifted whichever leg was going in second.
WWWWW + H
I immediately felt a sense of relief, and frankly, rather silly for being so dramatic. But it did make me wonder if there are other areas in my life where I am doing something similar.
Who do I wish was different so I can feel better?
What situation am I catastrophizing that has a very simple solution?
When am I choosing to trip and stumble vs. lifting my foot up a little higher?
Where am I placing blame where it doesn’t belong?
Why am I only focused on what’s going left in my life when so much is right?
How can I get better at noticing and stopping these patterns before I get so carried away?
HEAD TRIP
Next time you find yourself tripping over the same old metaphorical pantleg, try stepping in with the other foot first. Or sit down and put both feet in at the same time. You could ask someone to help you with your pants or you could even try this pants donning hack I found on YouTube.
The bottom line is, even though you CAN continue to put your pants on one let at a time like everyone else, you don’t have to. Even ordinary, average human beings can flex their superpowers now and then.
Do you want to learn how to stop overthinking and creating problems that don’t exist? You CAN do it and I can help! Email me to learn more.