I had no idea when I was drinking that there was a deeper level of living beyond just surviving. For years I thought I was happy, but I was just riding a rollercoaster of emotions that weren’t necessary. I just didn’t know how to respond to life and people. Drinking gave me a false sense of protection, shielding me from being hurt but also cutting me off from giving to my relationships with others. My absence was harmful to others. I stole others’ peace and didn’t nurture my friendships.

Sobriety teaches me that physical presence means nothing without being emotionally and spiritually engaged. I used to take life for granted, doing a lot of “getting by,” and in doing so I eroded relationships. I’ve shifted from surviving to participating with the people I love. Small, intentional actions rebuild trust and connection. What once felt like survival now feels like living.

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To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#SobrietyJourney #LifeAfterAlcohol #RecoveryDaily #FromSurvivingToLiving #EmotionalSobriety #BuildingConnections #SpiritualGrowth #LivingWithGratitude #HealingRelationships #RecoveryIsPossible

Restraint of pen and tongue has evolved into one of my most valuable tools for managing my relationships. I don’t always have to speak, contribute, or correct someone. It’s fascinating that without adding my opinion, life still happens! And sometimes it turns out better than if it went my way. Pausing gives me a chance to shut my mouth while I think, to let humility in before self-righteousness takes over.

I heard today that practicing these principles isn’t contingent on anyone else’s behavior. What a concept! When I’m disturbed, that’s my signal to look inward, not point fingers and assign blame. Sometimes choosing silence strengthens character, while speaking out too quickly can unintentionally disturb others’ peace. The pause gives space for gratitude and tolerance.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#RecoveryJourney #EmotionalSobriety #RestraintOfTongue #DailyRecovery #SpiritualGrowth #LivingWithHumility #GratitudePractice #PauseAndReflect #BuildingCharacter #SerenityFirst

In early sobriety, I spent a lot of time wishing I could be like everyone else and have a glass of wine at dinner without ending up in a downward spiral. I wanted to be able to relax the way other people did. But I’ve learned over these nine years that the relaxation I envied wasn’t healthy for me. My relaxation today is deeper because I can decide to let go at any time without tucking all my problems into my “dark place” only to see them again in the morning bigger and more terrifying.

That same mindset shift is happening in stroke recovery. I still wish my vision worked like everyone else’s to do all the things I want to do. I do have moments of jealousy, like knowing I can’t go biking with a friend or play volleyball at a summer picnic. But instead of staring at what is missing in my life and the space left behind, I’m filling it with new possibilities. I have new hobbies and am connecting more deeply in ways I never would have without the stroke. The abundance in my life that has filled the empty space is what I focus on. I’m not a victim of what’s happened to me or of my own thinking. I choose to see my differences as the reason my life is richer, not poorer, and I believe that over time, both in sobriety and stroke recovery, I’ll only grow more grateful to be exactly who I am.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#StrokeRecovery #LifeAfterStroke #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFreeLiving #HealingIsntLinear #RecoveryJourney #GratitudePractice #ThrivingThroughRecovery #LivingWithHope #NoFinishLine