A Personal Growth Lesson in a Vertigo Episode: Embracing the Unexpected

Not long ago, while on a business trip, I woke up in my hotel room feeling unusually dizzy. Initially, I dismissed it, assuming a bit of rest would make it go away. However, the dizziness only worsened, escalating to a sensation of spinning uncontrollably, as if I were plunging off a cliff. Alone and scared, I eventually called an ambulance. It was one of the most terrifying experiences of my life.

At the hospital, the initial fear was that I had suffered a stroke during sleep. Tests were conducted as neurologists observed my eyes spinning and my inability to recall the date, month, or year. After ruling out a stroke, they concluded that I had experienced a vertigo episode—a condition where displaced crystals in the inner ear create the illusion of falling, leaving you feeling completely out of control.

Reflecting on that episode, I learned some valuable lessons:

Lesson 1: Life Can Change in an Instant.
The night before, I was thriving—learning, working, and confident in my ability to handle everything on my own. But in just one night, I became completely dependent on others: the hotel staff, emergency personnel, nurses, and doctors. I couldn’t even muster the confidence to fly home alone after being discharged. Life is unpredictable, and this experience reminded me to appreciate the present moment, seize opportunities, and do our best with what we have.

Lesson 2: It’s Okay to Ask for Help.
In hindsight, I should have reached out sooner. A friend with vertigo could have offered tips to manage the symptoms from my hotel room. But instead, I waited until it was too late, letting the situation spiral out of control. Even when I finally called for an ambulance, I felt guilty for possibly wasting their time. The truth is, it’s okay to rely on others and ask for help—we don’t have to face challenges alone.

Lesson 3: Perception Isn’t Always Reality.
During the vertigo episode, it felt like I was endlessly spiraling down a cliff. When a physical therapist adjusted my head in a way that triggered the sensation, I cried out and clung to her arms because the feeling of falling was so intense. This taught me that things are not always as they appear; sometimes, our minds create illusions that feel incredibly real.

Lesson 4: Lean Into Discomfort to Overcome It.
The key to overcoming vertigo was to lean toward the direction that triggered it and hold that position until the sensation subsided. This approach is similar to handling life’s challenges. When faced with discomfort, our instinct is often to run away. But growth happens when we confront our challenges head-on, leaning into them until we find a solution.

In conclusion, my first experience with severe vertigo taught me some profound lessons: cherish the present moment, don’t hesitate to ask for help, remember that things aren’t always as they seem, and embrace discomfort as a pathway to growth.