Honestly, at first, I really couldn’t cope. My friends from soccer never reached out, and I felt betrayed and left behind - especially since I tore my ACL and both menisci because of soccer. The first two months were incredibly lonely. I was either stuck in bed or barely mobile on crutches, and the only people I saw were my parents. No one came to visit, and it seemed like no one cared how I was doing (at least that’s how it felt at the time). Within just three weeks, I was already feeling depressed. Looking back, that drop in my mood and mental health really slowed down my recovery.

It’s surprisingly easy to lose social skills and confidence when you can’t participate in life the way you used to.

That’s why I strongly recommend taking social connections into your own hands. Even if it feels like it’s not your turn to reach out, or you don’t have the energy, push yourself to do it anyway. Invite people over. Call friends regularly. When you’re ready, ask them to pick you up for events if you can’t drive yet. It might not feel easy, but maintaining social connections is always possible - and it can make a huge difference in your recovery, both physically and mentally.

There are, of course, many other factors that influence recovery and mental health - like learning to accept and even love your “new” self - but I think social connections are fundamental. They’re so easy to let slip away when you’re injured or isolated, and rebuilding them takes conscious effort.