BACK BRACKING PG.

82
By: Martine De Luna
LITERARY ESSAY
The text is entitled "Back-Braking" and was written by Martine De Luna. It tells
the story of a hard-working mother who had to take a break due to an injury caused
by constantly lifting her baby, doing household chores, and working outside. In her
blog, she shared that her injury forced her to stop and take a “brake” from her back-
braking life. This back-brake allowed her to protect her family dynamics and gave her
much-needed rest. It's as if her body had given up on her, but in doing so, she was able
to give herself the time and space to do things more mindfully. The text portrays the
theme of struggle and perseverance in the face of challenges. The title itself suggests
the physical and emotional strain of carrying burdens or facing difficulties. The text
likely delves into the theme of resilience, strength, determination to keep going
despite the hardships one may encounter, and the unconditional love that binds
families together. It also revolves around the concept of slowing down, looking out,
and sometimes the realization makes us stop and hit the break to prioritize our well-
being. The author reflects on the suffering and experience of needing rest, injury, and
the need for changes to maintain in our lives, such as career, family, and personal
well-being. Martine De Luna serves as the speaker in the text, sharing her personal
experiences as a hard-working mother who had to take a break due to an injury
caused by constantly lifting her baby, doing household chores, and working outside
based on the text. She talks about her struggles and reflections, making it clear that
she is speaking directly to her audience. The intended audience, encompasses
individuals who read Martine's blog or come across her writing online. She mentions
receiving emails from friends, suggesting that her audience extends beyond her
immediate circle to include readers who engage with her content. As for the
character's situation in the text, Martine describes how she injured her back during a
routine activity of carrying her child in a sling. This injury causes her significant pain
and limits her ability to carry out daily tasks. Martine shares her frustration with
being unable to care for her children properly and feeling dependent on others for
help. The injury forces her to slow down and reflect on her life, leading her to
reevaluate her priorities and make adjustments to her lifestyle. The blog entry adopts
a tone that blends humor, frustration, and personal narrative, establishing an intimate
connection with the reader through phrases like "I pulled my back," "I carried Krista
around," and "I felt this piercing pain." The author expressed discomfort and
exasperation caused by the injury, describing it as "awful" and "enough to keep me
hunched over." The post's playful renaming as a "study" in making things blissful
injects a touch of optimism. The theme revolves around resilience, finding humor in
adversity, and adapting to challenging situations. Despite the pain and inconvenience,
the author maintains a sense of humor and seeks ways to make things blissful. The
tone and mood support this theme by portraying both the struggle and the ability to
find lightness in difficult circumstances.

This “Back-Injury” term represents the author's experience of being forced to

slow down or stop due to her back pain. It symbolizes a pause in her usual activities
and lifestyle. Emotional Distress, the injury leads to emotional distress, as the author
feels unable to take care of her children to the extent she normally would. This
situation is particularly challenging because her baby, who is a high-need baby,
requires her attention. Slow Living and Being Less-Hurried, the back injury restricts the
author's mobility, forcing her to rely on others for care and assistance. This
dependency is not only physically tiring but also emotionally draining. Reflection on
Life and Work Balance, the injury serves as a catalyst for the author to reflect on her
life and work balance, leading her to consider slowing down and making necessary
adjustments to her lifestyle and work habits. The issue presented we’re Back Injury,
and it represents vulnerability and frailty. It represents the physical embodiment of
the obstacles and setbacks that people endure in their lives. The author's experience
with her broken back exemplifies the universal human condition of facing hardship
and emphasizes the value of endurance and self-care. Brakes, it represents the need to
take a moment to reflect on one's life. The author's back condition, like brakes in a car
that prevent rapid movements, acts as a symbolic force that causes her to slow down
and reconsider her goals. This symbol emphasizes the importance of mindfulness,
balance and self-reflection. Furthermore, the healing process symbolizes
development, regeneration and resilience. As the author heals from her back injury,
the healing sign depicts her journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It
emphasizes the transformational power of resilience and endurance in the face of
hardship, encouraging readers to discover strength in times of trouble.

The title “back-braking”, emphasizes the importance of slowing down or

stopping altogether in life. Oftentimes, we become so ensnared in anticipating the
future that we tend to overlook all the positive experiences of the past. Taking a break
and looking back can help us appreciate and be grateful for the memories we’ve made,
the person we used to be, and how much has changed since then. The sense of
nostalgia we get from looking back encourages us to make even more memorable
experiences in the present as well as in the future. That taking a break can propel us
even further when we are more refreshed and convicted with our intentions. The text
was like a conversation one might have with a friend, emphasizing the importance of
taking a break, especially when faced with adversity such as injury or illness. It's like
hitting the brakes on one's life not to come to a completely stop, but to avoid burnout.
Finding a balance between work, family, and self-care is crucial. The author mentions
how a severe back injury made them realize they were pushing themselves too hard,
necessitating them to slow down and make changes. Ultimately, they express
gratitude for the experience as it compelled them to prioritize self-care and well-
being.