In this week’s blog post I thought I would speak about the ups and downs of recovery. This is a loaded subject that I could probably speak about for hours but don’t worry, I’m not gonna subject you to that. Throughout this post, I plan on giving you brief examples of my own struggles in recovery to hopefully help you understand what other people in my position are going through.
Coming into recovery I did not plan on it being a very long process, boy was I surprised. I thought that I would put in a couple of months of hard work and my journey through recovery would be over. I would be fixed. I have since learned that recovery will be a lifelong process, and shortcuts are never worth it.
I have been going through this recovery process for about 3 years now and I know that I have made a lot of progress, but there are times where I still struggle a lot. I still find leisure times really difficult because that’s when my brain has time to run wild with a million cognitive distortions that have surfaced over the years. I also tend to get stuck in the thought that I’m never working hard enough and that I’m destined to have to go without my basic needs again. As a result of this, having to go without my basic needs is a huge fear of mine. I find it difficult to get rid of old clothes that no longer fit me. I hoard things like socks and toothbrushes. These things are taking more space in my room than I’d like to admit.
I’ve been trying to work through these issues here at SafeHope but it definitely hasn’t been easy. These are just a few examples of the issues that still appear for me personally. Others in recovery could have completely different struggles. Everyone’s journey is valid and difficult in its own way. Although this road has not been easy, I wouldn’t change it for the world. Thank you for taking the time out of your week to read the blog. We will talk next week.
Ciao for now
Ricky
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