Why would you want to go back in time, what is holding you there today, how is yesterday better than today? If you are dealing with addiction issues, past trauma, and loss then moving forward is always better.
As a person watching our partner/family member/coworker/friend, we can sometimes want the ‘old days’ but it is gone, let it go. They are not the same and you are not the same. We change in life. Take the lessons you have learned to find your own way in the relationship. Therapy is an important part of that individual process.
Embracing Therapy, Self-Care, and Positive Thinking in Recovery and Moving Forward in Life.
In the labyrinth of life, we often encounter twists and turns, some leading us into the depths of past trauma and addiction. Yet, amid the shadows, there exists a guiding light: therapy. It’s a beacon of hope, illuminating the path towards healing, self-discovery, and resilience. I want to delve into the invaluable role of therapy in navigating the complexities of addiction, trauma, and mental health, while also exploring essential self-care strategies and the power of positive thinking to propel us forward. Do research on authors who talk about trauma, PTSD, addiction, recovery, mental health, and learning to understand your thinking and behavior patterns.
Unveiling the Value of Therapy:
Addressing Addiction: Anyone can become an addict, people support not judgment. Addiction is a formidable adversary, weaving its toxic fingers into the very fabric of our being. It can feel hopeless but it is not. Therapy provides a sanctuary—a safe space where individuals can confront the roots of their addiction, unraveling the tangled emotions and experiences that fuel it. Through evidence-based approaches like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or motivational interviewing, therapists equip individuals with coping mechanisms, empowering them to break free from the shackles of substance dependency.
Healing Past Trauma: We cannot change or deny the past. It happened! The scars of past trauma can run deep, casting long shadows over our present existence. Yet, therapy serves as a crucible for transformation—a realm where wounds are tenderly tended to and narratives are reshaped. With the guidance of skilled therapists, individuals embark on a journey of self-exploration, gradually untangling the knots of trauma and reclaiming agency over their lives. I would encourage going every week for at least 4-6 months. I know it is expensive as most insurance companies offer maybe up to $1000 per year. A good therapist gently peels back the ‘onion skin of past trauma/fear/rejection/abandonment/violence’ and helps us find our way through. How much is your happiness worth? Your mental health is priceless.
Cultivating /Creating Mental Health/Self-Care Tools: In the arsenal against mental health challenges, therapy bestows invaluable tools—tools that empower individuals to navigate life’s ebbs and flows with resilience and grace. From mindfulness techniques to stress management strategies, therapists impart a wealth of coping mechanisms tailored to individual needs. self-care looks and feels different for each of us. My self-care tools and strategies will look different from yours and that is OK. Be creative in navigating how to take care of your mind, body, spirit, and emotions. Through psychoeducation and skill-building exercises,( coping skills, reducing /understanding our triggers) individuals acquire the necessary fortitude to weather life’s storms, fostering emotional well-being and inner strength.
Embracing Self-Care Strategies, Getting out of your Comfort Zone:
Prioritizing Self-Compassion: This is something I promote all the time in most social media and personal interactions. Self-care begins with self-compassion, and self-forgiveness —a gentle embrace extended to oneself, especially in moments of vulnerability. Whether through journaling, meditation, or simply basking in the warmth of a soothing bath, self-compassion forms the cornerstone of nurturing self-worth and inner peace. Self-care tools are an individual idea. I like fitness, baking, yoga, crafts, travel, biking, coffee with positive people, etc.
Nourishing the Body and Mind, Spirit and Emotions: In the pursuit of holistic well-being, nourishing the body and mind emerges as paramount. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and ample rest lay the groundwork for vitality and resilience, empowering individuals to thrive in their journey toward recovery and self-discovery. Some forms of fitness help with depression, anxiety, and PTSD by releasing those feel-good hormones. Drugs and alcohol only mask our pain and when we sober up, right back where we started. Avoid numbing yourself, it never lasts or works.
Cultivating Supportive Relationships: Hang out with positive people, not the ‘moan-groan society’. Negative people suck the life out of you. Set boundaries on that type of negative interaction. Amid life’s tumult, the solace of supportive relationships serves as an anchor, grounding us in moments of uncertainty. Whether through joining support groups, confiding in trusted loved ones, or forging connections within therapeutic communities, the embrace of compassionate companionship fosters a sense of belonging and understanding.
Harnessing the Power of Positive Thinking:
Embracing Resilience: The one thing we have absolute control over is our attitude. A positive attitude is what gives us resilience in life. In the tapestry of life, resilience emerges as a thread of unwavering strength—a testament to the human spirit’s capacity to endure and transcend adversity. Certainly try to blend a sense of humour into your daily life. Laughter helps us build resilience. By reframing challenges as opportunities for growth, individuals harness the transformative power of resilience, charting a course toward newfound resilience and self-empowerment.
Feel Gratitude: Focus on the little things in life, the small accomplishments. Amid life’s trials and tribulations, gratitude emerges as a beacon of light—a radiant force that illuminates even the darkest of days. Practicing daily a sense of gratitude, individuals shift their focus towards life’s blessings, fostering a profound sense of contentment and joy amidst life’s complexities. It takes awareness and practice, be patient. You can do it.
Keep Looking /Moving Forward: We cannot live in the past and try to move forward. It is like having one foot stepping ahead and the other behind, we end up off balance and going nowhere. As we stand at the crossroads of past and present, the journey forward beckons—a tapestry woven with the threads of resilience, self-discovery, and unwavering hope. With therapy as our guiding compass, self-care as our steadfast companion, and positive thinking we can move that back foot forward to live in the today and move forward.
Therapy has quite literally saved me. I learned the most valuable lessons in therapy. Most importantly I am completely responsible for everything I think, say, do and how I react. To me that was empowering. Learning to let go of the pain from years of bullying and violence took time and was a challenge. It’s a challenge worth taking.
In the mosaic of life, therapy serves as a guiding light—a beacon of hope that illuminates the path toward healing, self-discovery, and resilience. Through the transformative power of therapy, coupled with essential self-care strategies and the unwavering embrace of positive thinking, we chart a course toward a brighter tomorrow—one infused with newfound purpose, resilience, and unwavering hope. For in the journey forward, we find not only the echoes of our past but also the promise of a brighter, more radiant future.