For me, a spiritual awakening is a slowly emerging new state of consciousness where we can be honest with ourselves, tolerant of others, and serene when alone with our thoughts. This inner shift begins with willingness to change, challenging self-will, and acknowledge my distorted thinking.

My program requires daily work to guard against my disease. Being honest with myself is the hardest part. I must take responsibility for even the sides of me that I don’t like to look at and resist the temptation to blame others.

Living these principles daily transformed me before I noticed the change in myself. I try to bring the principles beyond meeting rooms and model a balanced life rooted in spiritual growth rather than self-centered fear. It’s my best defense and helps me carry love, honesty, tolerance, and peace of mind into my life to give to others.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#SpiritualAwakening #RecoveryJourney #DailyRecovery #MindfulLiving #HonestyFirst #ToleranceMatters #PeaceOfMind #SerenityNow #12StepLife #SelfReflection

I create pressure on myself to stay constantly productive. In my career, I was juggling tasks, saying yes to everything, and in a constant state of “on.” You know who introduced me to the concept of slowing down? My dog trainers! My Weimaraner, Autumn, was difficult to train when I was solely focused on producing an outcome instantly. Instead of pushing harder and moving faster like she was, I needed to slow down. We needed to get to know each other, like dance partners.

Slowing down is simply approaching tasks with greater awareness. It is an effective way to maintain balance and clarity throughout the day. Pauses during the day, like going for a stroll outside or taking a few deep breaths while doing nothing else, can improve focus and decision-making. These bits of rest reset your mind and allow you to move through your day more effectively.

Today I live more like Boris, my English Bulldog, taking intentional breaks and responding instead of reacting. Boris takes the “pause” to a whole new level. He enjoys waiting 3 seconds before he responds to one of my commands. Seriously, I counted! I wish I could say Boris’ pace improves his focus and decision-making, but he mostly uses that time to decide whether moving is worth the effort. Still, he’s taught me that sometimes the wisest move is to sit back, breathe, and let life happen without you.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#Mindfulness #SelfCare #MentalHealth #SlowLiving #WorkLifeBalance #StressRelief #Productivity #Dogsofinstagram #DogMom #Wellness

Yesterday I had a cardiac loop recorder implanted to help uncover any silent AFib that may have triggered my stroke. The procedure at Georgetown Hospital took only a few minutes, but the lead-up felt like a full surgery: gown, sterile drapes, and a small incision over my chest. Although local anesthetic prevented pain, the unfamiliar setup and sheet over my face sparked a brief panic attack and left me trembling until we were halfway out of D.C. The device is about the size of a stick of Trident gum and will stay in place for up to four years, transmitting data through an app on my phone. Right now, the site feels like a deep bruise, but otherwise it’s manageable.

The harder part was the round-trip itself. Riding through city traffic with my vestibular disorder meant closed eyes, sudden noises, and a spike in symptoms that will linger for several days. I skipped recording a podcast because of symptoms with a side of self-pity that crept in. Medical days do that to me. Still, the experience reminded me why I share these details. Someone else facing a loop recorder implant may find comfort in knowing exactly what to expect.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#StrokeRecovery #HeartHealth #LoopMonitor #AFibAwareness #VestibularDisorder #MedicalJourney #AnxietyManagement #LivingOnLifesTerms #RecoveryCommunity #SurvivorStrong

Addiction steals freedom by creating a mirage of self-sufficiency that collapses into isolation. I define freedom as when my “wanter” aligns with my “should’r”, or in other words, when I want to do the next right thing. I discovered an innate spiritual hunger and examined my behavioral patterns, motives, and fears that were blurring my clarity and severing my connections.

Unchecked drinking drove me further inward. Eventually, the only people like me were those hiding at home, confined to detox, or already gone. I had a persistent spiritual void that no amount of Vella Chardonnay could fill. Removing the alcohol and practicing daily self-analysis (inventories, motive checks, naming my emotions, etc.) finally brought relief. My peace of mind now grows in direct proportion to the peace of mind I help create for others.

Sustained freedom requires replacement of self-reliance with disciplined self-reflection, spiritually guided courage, and a steady commitment to doing the next right thing.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#SoberLife #AddictionRecovery #FreedomFromAlcohol #SpiritualGrowth #SelfInventory #EmotionalSobriety #RecoveryCommunity #OneDayAtATime #MindfulLiving #ChooseRecovery

Before sobriety, I lived with a constant sense of impending doom. My nervous system was fried, and my health was failing while my mind was numb to the real danger—myself. My relationships deteriorated, and I ultimately lost my job because I had become a high-risk employee. Self-reliance was no longer enough. I was confident that I’d crossed a point of no return with alcohol. Recognizing a power greater than myself, whether God, community, or simply the order of the universe, converted my fears into curiosities and my crisis into purposeful consistent action.

Simple repeated habits, like daily meetings, morning reflections, nightly prayers, personal inventories, and regular exercise, steadily build evidence that the program works. Over time these repetitions rewire the brain, making sober decisions more automatic and reinforce emerging faith.

If you wonder, “What if I commit fully to sobriety and it doesn’t work?”, the answer is simple, albeit not easy. Only full commitment provides the evidence you need to prove that it works, while partial measures avail us nothing. Consistency can defeat doubt every time, and from that consistency, faith is born.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#SoberLife #AlcoholFree #RecoveryJourney #SoberCommunity #OneDayAtATime #MentalHealthMatters #FaithInRecovery #StayConsistent #ChooseSobriety #SobrietyWins

I find incredible healing in speaking my truth out loud (obviously). Painful secrets, lingering shame, and behavior patterns I wasn’t proud of, kept me stuck. I was in a loop of secrecy and self-protection. When I talked about the stuff I kept hidden for all those years it lost its grip on me. I began to tremble less and smiled more. It wasn’t immediate, and it was scary, but I wanted to live more than I wanted a drink.These intimate conversations with another person release emotional tension, create connection, and bring spiritual gains. There are new neuropathways being architected with every confession and honest self-reflection. Just as vestibular exercises keep my brain from regressing, conversations lead to transformative emotional, spiritual, and mental growth.What’s one thing you have been keeping to yourself because of fear, shame, or anxiety? Find someone you trust to talk about it and feel yourself heal. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube. For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#speakyourtruth #honesty #letitout #emotionalfreedom #vulnerabilityisstrength #secrets #innerhealingjourney #authenticliving #truth #honest

We rush, grind, and sometimes drag through our routines, adding collagen to our morning coffee half-asleep, singing through stop-and-go traffic, and robotically checking off work tasks. Some days feel like I’m stuck in a loop of monotony. It leaves me with a lingering sense that I’m missing out on something deeper and more meaningful. There's a quiet ache for more connection, purpose, and joy. The illusion of living an ordinary, boring life can blind us to the richness we can weave into even the most repetitive tasks.

But within the ordinary lies a quiet decision that waits for us to make. Ordinary is simply a mindset. By anchoring ourselves to the moment and tuning into our imagination, we awaken to life’s subtle beauty. Cultivating joy allows us to experience the extraordinary within the everyday. Mindful breathing and a scented candle during a shower can feel like a mini-spa, adding a couple sides to your morning toast screams continental breakfast (, and I love me a good continental breakfast at a frugal hotel), or cultural cookbooks can transform a routine meal into a culinary adventure. Through imagination, we deepen our connection with ourselves and the world around us. Instead of dragging yourself through your day, unlock hidden treasures of joy, clarity, and meaning that elevate life beyond the mundane.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#MindfulLiving #PresenceOverPerfection #FindJoyInTheOrdinary #EverydayMindfulness #SlowLiving #MindfulMoments #IntentionalLiving #MindfulnessMatters #GratitudePractice #LiveInTheNow

In a world of social media filters and KPIs, our desire to be flawless personally and professionally can feel unrelenting. We want to present a sculpted life all while holding ourselves to standards that are unrealistic. These expectations, even when self-generated, create toxic self-criticism. The pursuit of perfection manifests as stress, anxiety, and burnout. Take the example of a young professional striving to meet every expectation flawlessly, only to make a mistake that results in a catastrophizing claim that her entire day is ruined. It’s emotionally and physically exhausting to expect perfection from ourselves. It’s torcher!

Mistakes are inevitable and valuable. Embracing imperfection encourages self-compassion, acceptance, and emotional freedom. Accepting ourselves as we are, flawed, human, and ever-learning, is…I’m just gonna say it…adorable! We treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer that quirky friend who wears the plaid pants with the floral shirt and somehow makes it work! We ease the pressure and let go of the façade and unexpectedly find a deeper connection with others. It is what happens after the mistake that matters the most.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

This month I'm participating in a fundraiser for vestibular disorders awareness because I know what it’s like to live with something you can’t fully explain and no one can see. Visit my fundraising page: https://s2b.funraise.org/fundraiser/rachel-abbassi

#EmbraceImperfection #ProgressNotPerfection #PerfectlyImperfect #SelfCompassion #LetGoOfPerfect #AuthenticLiving #FlawedAndFree #MentalWellness #BeKindToYourself #ImperfectJourney