{"id":4181,"date":"2026-03-18T08:28:55","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T07:28:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wolfgang-kern.com\/?p=4181"},"modified":"2026-03-19T08:55:28","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T07:55:28","slug":"15-jahre-danach-was","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wolfgang-kern.com\/en\/15-jahre-danach-was\/","title":{"rendered":"15 years later: What I would say to my 20-year-old self today<\/b>"},"content":{"rendered":"

15 years later: What I would say to my 20-year-old self today<\/b><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

On January 29, 2011, my life changed in a single second. I was 20, felt invincible, and suddenly I was trapped by a machine, lost fingers on my right hand, and was confronted with my own mortality for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, 15 years later, I look back at the boy in the hospital bed. If I could turn back time, what would I say to him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. \"Everything will be alright.\"<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It sounds like a clich\u00e9, but in this moment of utter hopelessness, it's the only thing that matters. We have no control over what happens to us, but we have total control over how we react to it. Life consists of ups and downs \u2013 and we have the ability to adapt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Invisible wounds take longer to heal.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Physical wounds heal. You learn to use one hand differently. But the trauma and anxiety triggered by the accident were the real challenge. My advice to my younger self: Trust in your body's ability to heal, but seek help for your soul.<\/em> Therapy wasn't a sign of weakness, but rather the path back to a self-determined life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n