There’s an adage my friends in AA use to describe the fear of transformation, “One, two, three… drink. One, two, three drink.” This is a reference to working steps 1-3 in recovery, only to return (often briefly) to drinking and using.
The Mythology of Happiness
Happiness is more a state of being than it is an emotion. Gratitude and attitude are the keys. How lovely and disturbing to find that they’re both in our control. Here it comes – another opportunity to get out of our own way.
How to Stay Cool When the World Is on Fire
I want to know what sustains you when you’re overwhelmed? I hope you have lots of answers to that question and I hope that list includes some pretty stellar people. I am grateful for the folks my HP puts in my life. When I look at my support system, my ego would like to believe that I’m so clever that I went out and found these folks – but it’s just not true.
Expectations of Self Lead to Resentment
I’ve learned that the expectations and standards we hold ourselves to serve as guiding principles in our lives. Like many in recovery, I found myself repeatedly crumbling under the weight of the demands I placed on myself, the pressure I put on myself to juggle an impossible number of undertakings, and the absence of support that I allowed myself.
Overcoming the Fear of Judgement
When we talk about our “trust issues” we’re often referring to our fears of judgment and rejection. Our experiences both in growing up and in active use taught us to expect it. It’s a hard piece to reconcile. The people in our lives today are very different than those who gave us a distorted sense of self.
Lies My Depression Tells Me
My friends in recovery personify the disease of addiction in a myriad of ways. I’ve learned volumes from that. There’s a vital distinction between what is me, and what is within me that is not me, seeking to destroy me.
How to Overcome Panic Attacks
Panic attacks cause a debilitating loss of perspective and folks struggle to even begin to cope. It’s important to know that attacks only last 15 minutes or less.
Self-diagnosing your mental health, and other BAD ideas
We have a longing to understand ourselves and a tendency to judge ourselves unfairly. Let’s hod off on labels and work on developing health and identity!
Stop Sabotaging Love!
Childhood abuse and neglect, adolescent and young adult trauma, it all adds up in layers like sediment that can’t be permeated.
The 3 Types of Depression & How to Cope
Most of us have a limited ability to recognize depression in ourselves and others. The more we’re connecting with kindred spirits, the better our coping and friendships.