Thinking changes are coming

I have to remember to take the time to think about what I'm going to do.  This is something I didn't have to do preTBI but it is required for postTBI.  When I don't take the time, I have the tendency to not react well.  I have to think about what could go wrong so that I can plan how I'm going to react to something I didn't plan.  My therapist says that it's a good way to approach things.  She also said that I'm good to think ahead as to what may happen and plan for that but it's exhausting.  

She also told me that I should take my time and not rush into decisions and not think the worst first.  I have worked on this several times this past week, I cannot think of anything in particular but I know there have been a couple of times where I have done it and it worked a lot better than reacting immediately. I even said "I need to think" to my family one day, they understood and backed off for a few minutes.  It wasn't huge but it was definitely good.   

This stop and think part is so unlike me, I did my job for 21 years I didn't need to plan, it was just "natural".  I think post TBI that was a downfall for me.  I just thought I could do it the way I always had without planning what I would do if someone didn't follow my plan.  When someone didn't follow the plan, I reacted badly which was a downfall to my TBI.  Thankfully the new "guy in charge" didn't know the old me, and he saw completely how bad I was reacting to my students. And how much stress it was causing me. And he didn't let me not listen to my body and ignore the stress. He was prepared to be the "bad guy" and I thank him for that. (I don't think he was scared of me...lol)  My brain hurts to think about how I managed to do the job for 2 years.  I never stopped to think, probably for fear of seeing myself in a way I didn't want to be.  I'm thinking now and  things are really starting to go better for all.  

I try to tell my kids to take time to think instead of just reacting.  I think this is a skill that parents all try to teach their kids and I'm hoping to learn it so that I can be their teacher.  Example is better than any words I could say, they learn by watching.  There will be some changes in all of us as this new year progresses, at least I hope so :)