Week 19/2025: Exploding back pain
Week of 5 May 2025
I’ve been feeling a bit miserable this week.
Ouch! Exploding back pain
I hurt my back exercising last Saturday (flash back to this week . . . or this one . . . or . . . ) and had various health professionals tell me it was this and I should do this, or that and I should do that . . . and I don’t know. I rushed into a bendy twisty movement without thinking, and there was a sudden onrush of pain in my back and I saw a flash of interconnecting neurones all exploding at once.
Kind of like this, but it was more explode-y.
Boom!
Exploding back pain and yeah that hurt thanks very much.
Which was weird because I cannot see pictures in my mind at all.
You know, that thing where you’re in meditation class and the meditation teacher tells you picture yourself by a stream, and look at all the things you can see.
The blackness of my mind is what I see. No stream. No leaves. Not even any sunlight. Nothing. I thought everyone was like this but apparently not. Other people assure me they can see scenes and objects like they’re looking at a movie screen.
How very odd.
After finding this out, I learned that this is a condition called aphantasia, where you can’t see pictures in your mind.
Who knew.
My osteopath said, “you mean you imagined it”. No, I literally saw it as clear as I can see you.
Then, a couple of days later I was in bed and my body did that spasm thing, where you’re almost asleep and your brain sends a massive jolt of electricity to you, to make sure you’re still alive. (Thanks, yes, I am.) And this time I saw one of those black and white geometrical patterns they give tiny babies to look at.
Saw it.
Brains are fascinating things aren’t they. Let’s not even get started how how they invent tinnitus to keep you entertained. That’s one for next week.
Anyway, the summary of the week is ouch and seeing things that aren’t there.
But I saw them, so they really were there.
I made it through the week, avoiding as much exercise as I thought I could get away with not doing and here are some sunrise photos from my back yard to distract you from that.
Thanks, neighbours, for trimming your trees so I can see.
And look! Here’s a rainbow highlighting the snow that fell on Kunanyi. (Did I mention it was cold. Way too cold to go out and exercise.)
Summary of the week
Habit tracker
- Go outside & exercise first thing (7 days): 7/7
- 15 minutes morning exercise sequence (7 days): 5/7
- Hip exercises (5 days): 5/5
- 2 walks or bike rides or a combination (6 days): 3/6
- Long walk (1 day): 1/1
- Walk 8,000 steps (7 days): 7/7
- 9.00 shutdown & dim lights (6 days): 4/6
- Evening routine (6 days): 6/6
New habits
- Fill water bottle in the morning (7 days): 7/7
- Carry a notebook with me when I walk (7 days): 7/7
- Mid-day journalling (7 days): 3/7
- Thinking time (2 days): 1/2
- Read aloud (7 days): 5/7
What did I learn this week?
I found myself in the waiting room of Butter cosmetic and skin clinic on Monday. It shares a waiting room with the business I was accompanying my mother to an appointment at.
I didn’t know what Butter was, so I googled while I was waiting. From their website I learned:
There have been multiple attempts to define the ‘perfect’ lip shape and size. One of the hallmarks of beauty and a youthful appearance is a voluminous elegantly shaped lip. The ideal lip ratio has been described by using the golden ratio of 1:1.618 for the upper and lower lip.
Wow.
What did I notice this week?
Two plovers mating on Parliament House lawns. It didn’t take long.
I took a tour of the new Collins Street bike lanes. Not on my bike, because it isn’t currently functioning. Another reason I can’t exercise.
And then this. Some people are unhappy.
They have changed the roof of the Greek Orthodox church in Antill Street. It’s all blue now. (You can see what it used to look like in this post.)
A bandicoot in my back yard.
What was the best thing this week?
It was Mother’s Day on Sunday, my first one since 2006 without my young human. I miss him terribly but I know he’s out there doing what he really wants to do and I’m happy for him. We had a lovely conversation of more than an hour on Sunday and it was wonderful to have such a long block of time to talk to him.
What am I reading this week?
- Out of the Ordinary by Kate Jenkins
What am I watching this week?
- Billy Collins Teaches Reading and Writing Poetry
- Masterchef Australia
- Resident Alien
- Princess Mononoke
- Doctor Who ‘Lucky Day’
- Doctor Who ‘The Story & The Engine’
What am I listening to this week?
- Spacemakers Podcast (Season 3)
- Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical
- My Soundhound playlist
About The Author
