Life doesn’t always move in a straight line. Sometimes, it feels like just when we’re climbing up, we hit a slide that sends us back down. It’s frustrating, disheartening, and often, it feels unfair.
I’ve felt this in so many ways. In my 40s alone, I’ve faced open-heart surgery, a serious knee injury, and being hit by a car while biking. Each time, it felt like being pushed off course, wondering how to move forward or find my way back to a sense of normalcy. And frankly, it hasn’t been easy.
As an adult, I’ve had to take responsibility for getting myself back up. But that doesn’t mean I’ve done it alone. I’ve had to ask for help—from doctors, family, and friends. I’ve had to muster up the courage to keep showing up to appointments and take small steps toward recovery. And sometimes, I’ve had to pause, take a breath, and let myself rest before I could roll the dice again.
That’s why it helps to think of life like a game of Chutes and Ladders. When kids land on a slide and get sent back, they might feel upset or want to quit. But what do we tell them? “It’s just part of the game. Keep going—you’ll climb another ladder soon.” And they do. They don’t dwell on it for long. They roll the dice, keep playing, and eventually, they’re climbing again.
As adults, it’s harder. The slides feel bigger, and the effort to get back on track feels heavier. But every small effort—every roll of the dice—gets us closer to where we want to be. It’s not about doing it all at once; it’s about staying in the game, even when it feels hard.
For me, every small step—making an appointment, taking a breath, asking for help—has been worth it. It might not feel like it in the moment, but each time I pick myself up and take even the smallest action, I find myself back in life where I belong.
And that’s the gift of staying in the game: we get to live.
ACTION: Think about a recent setback you’ve experienced. What’s one small step you can take today to “roll the dice” and move forward? It could be asking for help, taking a break, or simply reflecting on what’s next. Even the smallest action gets you back in the game.
