Turning Back Time: What I Learned from Falling Back After Breast Cancer

Introduction

As we approach the end of Daylight-Saving Time in the US and prepare to turn our clocks back one hour, I’ve been reflecting on the concept of “falling back” and how it mirrors life after recovering from breast cancer. The act of resetting time, adjusting to new rhythms, and facing the literal darkness of shorter days can feel all too familiar for survivors who have navigated life post-treatment. Yet, just as the transition in time can be jarring, there is also an opportunity for recalibration, restoration, and renewal.

Navigating the Darker Days

With the end of Daylight-Saving Time, daylight slips away earlier, and darkness feels more pronounced. The shift can be disorienting, much like the aftermath of breast cancer treatment. For high-performing individuals, used to being on top of everything and achieving in their careers, this period can bring a sense of loss or even unease. The structured routines and regimens of treatment have ended, but what’s next? There’s a real sense of not knowing how to adjust to this “new normal,” especially when the familiar energy and drive seem harder to recover.

I remember feeling the weight of post-treatment darkness. The world had moved forward, but I felt out of sync, trying to re-establish who I was and what my purpose looked like in this new chapter. The mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion was like a never-ending twilight, making it difficult to trust my body or mind to return to the light.

Recalibrating Internal Clocks

Much like the adjustment we make when the time falls back, post-cancer recovery requires a recalibration of our internal clocks. For those of us who thrive on efficiency and peak performance, it can feel like a betrayal to slow down and reassess our pace. But healing has its timeline—one that doesn’t always align with our ambitious plans.

In those months and years after treatment, I had to learn to be patient, to accept that some days would be less productive, and that rest wasn’t a sign of weakness but a form of self-respect. I learned to redefine productivity and success, understanding that small, mindful steps could create profound shifts in my well-being.

Rediscovering Joy and Purpose

When Daylight Saving Time ends, many people use the extra hour for rest or to spend quality time with loved ones. Similarly, surviving breast cancer presents a chance to rediscover joy in places that had been overlooked. It’s about shifting perspective: embracing life with fresh appreciation and savoring the moments that used to be overshadowed by stress or constant busyness.

During my journey, I found immense joy in simple things. Taking a walk outside, sharing unhurried conversations, or even sipping a cup of tea while watching the sun set earlier—these moments became reminders of life’s preciousness. The post-cancer experience taught me that purpose isn’t always tied to grand achievements but often to the meaningful, intentional choices we make each day.

Lessons I Learned from Falling Back

As we turn our clocks back this weekend, I’m reminded of some pivotal lessons that parallel this transition:

• Embrace New Rhythms: Just as we adjust to earlier evenings and new routines, we must adapt to life’s evolving rhythms. The journey of healing and transformation may not follow the timeline we envisioned, and that’s okay.
• Honor Rest and Recovery: The extra hour we gain is symbolic of the time we deserve to reclaim for rest. High-achieving survivors often struggle with giving themselves permission to slow down, but true recovery comes from a place of deep self-compassion.
• Find Light in Unexpected Places: Though the days get shorter, there is still beauty to be found in the shifting seasons. After breast cancer, joy may look different, but it’s still there, waiting to be discovered and cherished.
• Reframe Productivity: Efficiency and peak performance may be redefined post-recovery. What matters is not how fast we return to our former selves but how intentionally we show up for this renewed life.

Conclusion

As the clocks fall back this weekend, let’s remember that this shift is not just a symbol of lost daylight, but an invitation to reset and reflect. Life after breast cancer is a series of recalibrations, a journey of finding your rhythm in a world that feels both familiar and foreign. It’s about embracing the unexpected, honoring the need for rest, and finding purpose in places you never thought to look.

Each day is a gift—a chance to step forward, even if the pace is slower, and to celebrate the resilience that has carried you through. So, as we adjust to these darker evenings, let’s also commit to embracing our own light, moving forward with grace, gratitude, and a newfound sense of purpose.

If this message resonated with you and you’re ready to deepen your journey of growth and empowerment, I invite you to be part of the LIFT After Breast Cancer community through my newsletter. Visit my website to sign up.

Here, I share expert insights, transformative strategies, and heartfelt reflections designed for high-performing survivors who are ready to reclaim their strength and purpose. Together, let’s continue to rise, find clarity, and live inspired, free, and transformed.