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Many people in recovery have issues coping with change or uncertainty. When you were using substances, you may have felt like there was a big question mark when it came to your future life. Or, you may have daydreamed about the future but could not pursue your dreams. Substance use can derail big plans and objectives. Recovery, however, can be a second chance at life. By working the steps, staying sober, and beginning to work on yourself, you create the opportunity to change your life. However, life can be uncertain, especially in the post-COVID world. So how can a person in recovery from addiction learn to cope with uncertainty?
During COVID, there have been a lot of uncertain times, and you may have emotions cropping up again now that the omicron variant is raging. It’s okay to have feelings, even negative ones, about what is going on in the world. But you can’t let those feelings be the only thing that drives you. Accepting and acknowledging your feelings of fear or anger is essential. If you’re feeling these things, take some time to let yourself sit with them.
You may want to keep a journal of your anger or fear. (Much of anger comes from hurt or fear, too.) Writing about your worries can help you put them away for the rest of the day and continue to work on your recovery program. We can make plans for the future, but there will always be life’s little surprises. Some may be good, and some may be bad. But when you are sober, you get to experience life more fully. You also have the support of your peers to help you get through.
Don’t be afraid to express your feelings with others in 12-step meetings and therapy groups. That’s what they are for! Connecting with others by sharing these emotions can help you deal with uncertainty when it crops up in your life.
Even when life is uncertain, you can work on your goals. Breaking down your goals into steps can help you focus on them, bit by bit. For example, you may need to pay off a certain amount of debt before you can start driving a car to your job. So your first goal will be to save money, which may mean putting money aside for a car. You may also want to start researching cars and car insurance to know how much money you need to save and spend every month.
Sometimes, you may need to step back and regroup when the future seems uncertain. Whenever you feel like life is on shaky grounds, it’s time to re-center yourself in recovery. Don’t drop your recovery program when things go wrong. Your future depends on you taking care of your mental health and recovery.
You can’t always keep the plans you make, but you will learn to adapt in recovery. Don’t stop dreaming or working towards your goals. You may have a detour or two along the way, but you’ll still be able to accomplish things as long as you don’t give up.
Living with others in recovery can help you stay centered as you work towards goals. Learn more about how a sober living environment can benefit your recovery by giving us a call at 760-216-2077.
Recovery is a lifestyle you must adhere to year-round. Different times of year bring different experiences, and you must get through them to stay sober! The winter months may feel difficult or emotional for the first few years you're sober. Today, with the complication of the coronavirus pandemic, life can sometimes feel like a struggle.
Few people feel like winter is their favorite season. If you're like many people, you may find yourself in the doldrums or suffering from seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression brought on by the changing seasons. With less sunlight and colder weather, humans naturally turn into homebodies. In recovery, however, isolation can quickly turn into loneliness or depression.
There are also other reasons that people feel like winter is hard in recovery. Many people also associate the winter months with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years' holidays. Of course, holidays can be challenging times for people in recovery. Sometimes you'll feel quite emotional about the past or even feel triggered by it.
For many reasons, winter can be a challenging time for people in recovery. This winter may even seem a little more difficult due to the ongoing emotional and economic strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking care of yourself and focusing on your recovery is an integral part of the game plan. Here are some ideas to help you lift your spirit every day.
If you live in a warm climate, you won't have to deal with the cold. Yet there are still some effects that you have to cope with during the winter months. Holidays, shorter days in general, and less activity are all things that seasons have in common coast-to-coast.
Consider Sober Living
Have you thought about living in a sober home? Living among other people in recovery can help you have a sense of stability. Learn more about what options are available and how we can help by calling us at 760-216-2077.
COVID-19 has changed the way people live, work, and socialize across the globe. It hasn’t been easy for anyone. As time passes, it’s become clear that our lives have all changed for the time being. Everyone has had to take this new “normal” one day at a time.
People still need to socially distance. As human beings, this is contrary to our nature. Online AA meetings and group therapy have become one way people can reach out to one another. However, it’s hard to imagine that this is genuinely a new lifestyle.
No one knows how long this crisis will last or when the unrest in some parts of the country will end. It’s a scary time, and that’s okay to talk about and feel. If you’re in recovery from addiction, you have probably experienced some not-so-normal lifestyle. It’s important to remember; this, too, shall pass.
Today, you can still take care of yourself even when things aren’t perfect. You’re a resilient human being, and you can get through this. Self-care is important. So is reaching out to others in recovery, and finding ways to be social and safe at the same time.
You can practice acceptance by praying, meditating, crying it out, or writing about it. Accepting the fact that we have no idea how long this crisis will last is essential. Accepting it doesn’t mean you’re happy about it. It simply means you know you can’t personally change it.
You’re not in control of this pandemic, but you can choose to stay sober through it. As a person in recovery, you can stay sober if you use the tools you have. A sponsor, a strong support network, and online support meetings will help you stay connected to the world. You’re not alone.
As mentioned earlier, self-care is an integral part of daily living in this new pandemic culture. Self-care will help you have something to enjoy and hold onto. It’s an excellent time to learn to nurture your spirit and really let yourself experience new things.
Here are some ideas:
Consider Sober Living
Are you interested in learning more about sober housing? Many people need the structure and safety of sober living once they’ve left treatment. We offer friendly, safe, and therapeutic housing to people new to recovery. Learn more about your options by calling us at 760-216-2077.
