Sometimes life changes so much that we begin to forget who we are.
We become focused on everything that has changed.
What we can no longer do.
What we have lost.
What takes longer.
What requires help.
And somewhere underneath all of that, we may begin wondering:
“Where did I go?”
You: The Self You Forgot, The Power You Still Have by Kendrick Ford speaks to the powerful idea of rediscovering yourself and recognizing the strength that may still exist beneath everything life has placed in your path.
For someone living with a brain injury, this message can feel especially meaningful.
A brain injury can change your abilities, routines, relationships, confidence, and sense of identity.
But change does not mean that everything about you disappeared.
💔 When You Don’t Recognize Yourself
After brain injury, one of the most painful questions can be:
“Who am I now?”
Maybe you used to work full-time.
Maybe you were independent.
Maybe you were constantly active.
Maybe you had hobbies that filled your days.
Maybe you were the person everyone depended on.
Then everything changed.
You may still be the same person inside, but your life may no longer look the same.
🧠 The Person Beneath the Injury
Your brain injury is part of your story.
It is not the whole story.
You are also:
❤️ Someone who loves
🌱 Someone who learns
✨ Someone who dreams
🤝 Someone who connects
💭 Someone who thinks
🌻 Someone who continues
Those parts of you deserve attention too.
🌱 Rediscovering What Remains
Recovery can sometimes become so focused on what we lost that we forget to notice what remains.
Maybe your sense of humor is still there.
Maybe your compassion has grown.
Maybe your creativity has changed but not disappeared.
Maybe you have developed patience you never had before.
Maybe your experiences have given you a deeper understanding of other people’s struggles.
Sometimes rediscovering yourself means looking at your life with new eyes.
💪 Your Strength May Look Different Now
Before injury, strength may have meant independence.
Working long hours.
Solving problems.
Taking care of everyone else.
After injury, strength may look very different.
It may mean getting through a difficult morning.
Going to an appointment.
Asking for help.
Resting when your body says enough.
Trying again tomorrow.
That is still strength.
🦋 You Are Allowed to Become Someone New
You don’t have to become exactly who you were before.
You can honor the person you were while making room for who you are becoming.
Maybe your goals change.
Maybe your pace changes.
Maybe your priorities change.
Maybe your definition of success changes.
That doesn’t mean your life has become meaningless.
It means your life is evolving.
💗 Love Love Brain Thoughts
Sometimes we search everywhere for the person we used to be.
But perhaps we don’t need to find that exact person.
Perhaps we need to meet the person standing here today.
The person who survived.
The person who adapted.
The person who kept going.
The person who learned new things.
The person who is still capable of love, purpose, connection, and hope.
You may have forgotten parts of yourself.
But that doesn’t mean they are gone forever.
Start looking again.
💬 We’d Love to Hear From You
What part of yourself have you rediscovered after brain injury?
What is something about you that your injury could not take away?
Share your story in the comments.
📖 Where to Find the Book
Information about this title is limited in major bibliographic sources, so readers should verify the edition and current retailer listing before purchasing.
🛒 Get the Book on Amazon
Love Love Brain may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases made through this link. This does not affect the price you pay.
Book cover belongs to the publisher and is displayed for identification and review purposes.
Note: This book review is for educational and reflective purposes only and is not medical advice.
Do you Love Love YOUR Brain?