Sometimes sobriety feels anything but beautiful. Which is why I’m going to help you with simple and quick ways to find the beauty of life in recovery.
Before we continue, I created a daily PDF journal dedicated to the beauty of today with a few exercises and journal prompts to guide you in your recovery journey. If you’re interested, check it out.
Back to the post- recovery is filled with a ton of questions, most of which there’s no direct answer for. From how to act to changing your thinking and behavioral patterns to learning new healthy coping mechanisms- you don’t know if you’re doing it the “right” way.
Well, the good news is that there isn’t a right or wrong way to recover. Only a way that works for you while being honest with yourself. Maybe you’re not even sure what being honest with yourself means. That’s ok.
I was there too. When I sobered up six years ago, I struggled with the same things you did. I also didn’t have a support system (not even AA), so I had to wing it and learn everything on my own.
Did I make mistakes along the way? Of course I did. Too many to count. Is my life perfect? Nope. But it’s beautiful and sometimes messy. And I love it. Do I have the secret and best method? No. But I have found methodologies of what’s perfect for me.
That’s why I’m breaking down everything for you so you can heal and find happiness. Because you can use a little more of both, right?
Keep in mind that maybe everything won’t resonate with you. That’s ok. Keep what does. Leave what doesn’t. This is about finding and creating what works for you. So you can discover your own rhythm.
THE BEAUTY OF LIFE IN RECOVERY
Spiritual wellness
Spiritual hygiene is an absolute must for me and it only takes a few minutes to get grounded and centered. Because when you spend a few minutes investing in your wellbeing, life feels more beautiful.
Think of it like this: the way you shower everyday is exactly why you should practice spiritual hygiene on the daily.
Have you ever noticed when you’re around certain people, your energy gets depleted? Almost like it takes a few days to recover from being around them? That’s because their energy is lingering onto you. But when you practice spiritual hygiene, you’ll keep more of your energy to yourself while keeping other people’s energy out.
Ways to practice spiritual hygiene:
- Smudge
- Create a morning routine
- Be discerning of who and what gets your energy
- Reduce your stress
- Deep breathing
- Yoga (Yoga with Adriene has great 30 day challenges)
- Create a sacred weekly bath (check THIS out for a self-love tea bath recipe)
Cherish the simple pleasures
Sometimes we get so caught up with healing and making sure we’re making the right decisions, that we forget to stop and savor the small moments. The moments that bring us solace, the little things we find joy in, the things that bring a smile to our faces. Maybe it’s the scent of freshly roasted coffee or the morning dew that brings you peace. Or it’s the way your dog looks at you with loving eyes.
Don’t let those little moments pass you by. Let them linger. Hold onto them. Because it’s the simple pleasures that make life so worthy of living. Sometimes the little things are all you have so they’re what gives you a reason to stay sober.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE BEAUTY OF TODAY JOURNAL
Live with intent
Sometimes life gets in the way of life. And sometimes recovery gets in the way of truly living. Which is why when you create an intentional lifestyle in sobriety, you’ll learn to go with the flow and find beauty in life.
The best part? You’re simplifying your life. All that complicated chaos during your drinking days becomes a bygone era. It also doesn’t require a drastic change in your lifestyle. Just small changes here and there will make a profound impact on your mind, body, and soul.
Feel grateful
There’s so much to feel grateful for in sobriety. I know it’s hard to find blessings when you feel like a part of you is dying on the inside. But even that metaphorical death is something to find gratitude for. You’re growing, evolving, and rediscovering who you are. Even if it’s only for one minute, feel heartfelt gratitude for the woman you’re becoming. Honor the trials and tribulations because without those, you may not have decided to get sober. All the darkness that clouds you- it’s helping you to find the light within.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE BEAUTY OF TODAY JOURNAL
Raw honesty
Just for today, be brutally honest with yourself about one thing. Maybe you’re not as ok as you’re making yourself out to be. Or you’ve been repressing emotions because you haven’t wanted to feel them. Or maybe you hate peas but eat them just to please everyone around you.
Do yourself a huge favor and admit to yourself one thing you’ve been suppressing. You’ll feel such a sense of relief when you do. It also makes recovery so much easier.
Radiate self-love
I’ve always said getting sober was the easy part. Learning to love myself was what posed its challenges. But it was also the most rewarding thing I could have ever done for myself.
Find something you love about yourself- your sense of humor, your quick wit, your compassion for others. And make it a point to honor what makes you so lovable.
Take yourself out on solo dates, learn who you are, start embracing the flaws and quirks. Because those make you even more lovable. That fiery temper? You’re passionate. The mood swings? You feel deeply and intensely. The mistakes you’ve made? You’re mortal. Every bit of you deserves to be loved by you.
DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR COPY OF THE BEAUTY OF TODAY JOURNAL
Get your glow on
Find what makes your inner fire burn with eternal passion. Chase your dreams. Follow your heart. Do what makes you happy and cut out everything that’s not helping you grow. Allow your internal compass to be your guiding force. Because you only have one life to live. So you might as well honor your soul’s destiny. It’s the key to your happiness and fulfillment.
Say no when you want to. Say yes to yourself. Don’t deny yourself anything because you feel unworthy. Do the things that matter to you, not because of obligation. But because of a heartfelt want and yearning for something more, something better.
Let’s do a quick recap on finding the beauty of life in recovery:
- spiritual wellness
- living with intent
- feel grateful
- raw honesty
- radiate self-love
- cherish the simple pleasures
- get your glow on
Beauty can be found everyday in the mundane things you’re doing. From the foods you eat to the scent of your favorite perfume to the feel of your favorite sweater. Take a few seconds or a few minutes to just relax into finding beauty. You don’t even have to leave your home because beauty is all around you. Admire your surroundings. Appreciate the simplicity because that’s where beauty is found.
Even if you don’t have a lot of time, one minute can make a profound impact on your day. How do you find the beauty of life in recovery? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
Please be sure to share this with anyone who may benefit from this read.
I’ll see ya soon…in the meantime, love yourself so much that even a Hallmark Christmas movie would be jealous.
If you haven’t already purchased the beauty of today journal, be sure to grab it before you leave so you can start living with intent.
