You made the decision to change your relationship with substances, entered a treatment program, and are now facing the prospect of re-entering society as a newly recovering person. Trying to navigate an entirely new lifestyle, utilize recently learned coping skills, and resume your usual responsibilities might feel overwhelming. The motivation that initially pushed you to enter recovery may start to wane as you begin to encounter the challenges of your new life. Here are a few tips to stay engaged with your recovery, even when you may not feel like it.
Remind Yourself Why You Started
We each have unique motivations for wanting to change our lives. For some people, they began their journey to recovery to restore damaged relationships or stay out of legal trouble. When you’re having trouble staying focused on recovery, remind yourself of what motivated you to begin with. Staying connected to your “why” can help put your current circumstances into perspective and give you the internal strength to keep moving forward. Write a list of all the reasons you chose to enter recovery and refer back to it whenever you need a little extra inspiration.
Lean On Your Supports
Recovery from a substance use disorder doesn’t happen in isolation. A primary component of a recovery lifestyle is building a supportive recovery network that you can rely on. This support system can consist of family, friends, or professionals that are committed to helping you reach your recovery goals. If you already have a solid support system, don’t hesitate to talk to them about what you are experiencing. They can help shift your perspective, remind you of all the reasons to keep going, and give you a safe place to just vent.
Take it One Day at a Time
Thinking about the big picture of recovery can make it seem unrealistic and unattainable – especially in early on. If you find yourself looking too far into the unknown future, remind yourself to stay focused on what you can do here and now. Setrealistic, attainable goals for yourself to accomplish throughout the day. Keeping your focus on the present will help eliminate your concerns about the future and allow you to tackle the work of recovery without feeling overwhelmed. If you take it one day at a time, the big picture will take care of itself.
Practice Gratitude
If you’re lacking motivation, reminding yourself of all the good things happening in your life can have a big impact. Consider writing a gratitude list or journal on a regular basis. Actively practicing gratitude will help you foster a positive mindset, which can greatly improve your engagement with recovery. Even when things aren’t going your way, there are always things to be grateful for.
Celebrate Your Growth
It’s easy to feel stuck in early recovery when you hit a roadblock and realize that the journey won’t always be smooth. However, you have probably already started to see the ways that recovery has benefited your life as a whole. Don’t forget to celebrate how far you have come. Embrace each of your successes – no matter how big or small. Applaud yourself for successfully living life in recovery and remind yourself just how far you’ve come. This will help spark your motivation and build self-confidence.
In Closing
Learning to adapt to a new way of life is all a part of the recovery process. Staying motivated in early recovery is a lot easier with the right people on your side. At Greenbriar Treatment Center, our team of professionals is available to support you during the early days of your recovery. We offer a full range of treatment and recovery support services designed to help you meet your recovery goals. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help.
