The recovery process is challenging one – emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. One of the most important parts of the process is that of rediscovering ourselves. Our addictions and mental health issues can cause us to completely lose sight of who we are. We’ve isolated ourselves, distanced ourselves from loved ones, broken relationships. We’ve lost our jobs. We’ve given up on our passions. We’ve stopped following our dreams. How do we rediscover ourselves and start again? We often feel as though the person we’ve become, the addicted version of ourselves, is who we really are. We’ve forgotten the person we were before addiction took hold of our lives. Who were you as a child? How would loved ones describe you? What kinds of things did you enjoy? What gifts, traits and strengths made you special and unique? Try to remember back to the years before you started using, before you became depressed. Try to bring your inner child to life in your memory and in your heart. Connect with that person. Try to imagine how you felt, how you thought, how you behaved. Chances are there are some things that, looking back, you now can see may have contributed to your addictions. Maybe you already struggled with anxiety. Perhaps you already had low self-esteem. Maybe your relationships were toxic. The process of self-discovery is not only about returning to past versions of ourselves but also redefining and recreating ourselves. What kind of person do you want to be? What kind of life do you want to live? What are some key feelings we can use as guides to implement our new ways of being and shed our old self-destructive ways? Ask yourself questions: How do I want to feel on a day-to-day basis? How do I want to live? Chances are you want to feel happy, at peace, safe and secure. Start to embody these emotions. Do the things that make you happy. Focus on all the wonderful things in your life. Develop a mindset of optimism and gratitude. Start a gratitude practice where you list the things you’re grateful for every day. Give energy to cultivating inner peace. Meditation, journaling, breathing exercises and repeating affirmations are all helpful in bringing yourself more calm and stillness. Holistic practices such as chakra healing, grounding exercises for example, can help us to feel more safe, centered and secure within ourselves and in the world. Envision the person you want to be, give energy to your self-care, and believe in your ability to grow. Soon you will be watching yourself become that new person.
We’re here to support you in your recovery process. Call 1-888-986-7848 for information on our treatment programs.
