A healthy recovery calls for a deep understanding of self, something that’s only acquired through personal development, self-care and learning about ourselves through relationships with others. The importance of finding yourself in recovery cannot be overstated, and there are a few ways to help you along.
1. Find more motivation to recover.
Choosing to walk away from substances and enter a life of recovery requires motivation, however small it may be. Whether you’ve decided to recover for your health, your family or out of fear of sinking deeper into addiction, the initial motivation to make a change can cause an exhilarating, life-changing experience. However, that exhilaration tends to fade over time.
It’s crucial to connect with additional motivations to stay engaged in recovery. Creating goals and a plan to succeed in life after treatment is essential. By living each day with intention, you’ll be able to stay motivated and dedicated. Things like working out with a personal trainer, learning how to cook or preparing to re-enter the workforce after treatment are great ways to remain committed to recovery.
2. Build self-awareness.
Self-medicating undesirable feelings with drugs or alcohol doesn’t do much to harbor self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Substances leave you feeling out of touch with yourself, and learning how to cope with unpleasant feelings without drugs or alcohol can be really challenging in the initial stages of recovery. However, activities like meditation, therapy and journaling can help you better process and manage your emotions, one skill that is critical to succeeding in recovery.
3. Get back in touch with yourself.
In recovery, the relationship that often requires the most maintenance is the one you have with yourself. People typically struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, resentment and regret brought on by the consequences of substance use, and to truly heal, you have to learn how to forgive yourself, treat yourself with more compassion and do things that bring you peace and joy.
Recovery is a time where you get to work on your relationship with yourself by trying new things and stepping outside of your comfort zone. Now that you’re in a space where you can focus entirely on getting well, you can fill your time with activities like going for walks, reading, exercising, journaling, swimming, cooking and getting outside. This is a time where you’ll learn more about who you are that you ever have before.
4. Improve your relationships.
Healthy, fulfilling relationships with family and friends bolster your recovery and work wonders for your attitude. In recovery, you’ll learn how to repair the relationships that have been damaged and let go of the ones that aren’t conducive to your new lifestyle. You’ll also learn how to maintain meaningful connections by being trustworthy, a good listener and your most authentic self, characteristics that most people in recovery have lost.
By committing to getting back in touch with who you really are, you’re laying the groundwork for a more prosperous, fulfilling recovery. It’s a process, but it’s possible. To learn more about how you can deepen your connection with yourself and tap into your true potential, contact a Spearhead Lodge admissions specialist at 1-888-483-0528.