The space that we live in has the ability to greatly affect how we feel, think, and our behavioral influences. Oftentimes a person’s living space contributes to their addictive patterns in some way. Your living space can also drastically influence your mental health issues, such as anxiety or depression. Creating a space that works with your sobriety and helps you maintain your health is a very important part of a continuing recovery process. Some people may need to remove trigger objects, while others work on decluttering and adding decor to bolster happiness and a healthy lifestyle. Here are a few simple tips on how to create a space that not only will you love but also will help you to maintain your sober lifestyle.
Remove the Triggers
One of the most important things you need to do in order to create a safe space is to make sure all triggers are removed. You have done an amazing job on your recovery journey, and maintaining your sobriety is of the topmost importance. Making sure all substances are removed from the space is a good beginning. For most people, this includes alcohol as well, even if it was not the original drug of choice. Some people may need to remove specific furniture, decorations, or objects; if an item is going to trigger you back to an unhealthy time, then you may want to consider getting rid of it. This process will look different for everyone, and it simply takes time to process your emotions. One person may need to remove every piece of furniture, whereas someone may only need to make sure there are no substances in the home. It is okay to be different than the people closest to you. Just like you learned during treatment, understanding your own needs is really important. This is something that does not simply end with treatment; this is something that you should consider all through life.
Maintain Your Guestlist
If you want to create an atmosphere of safety and comfort, it will be necessary to think about who you invite into your space. You have worked hard to get sober, so you will want to only invite others who understand your hard work and are willing to support you. Inviting only those who can and will respect your wishes on what they can and cannot bring into your home will be key. The people who matter will have no problem adhering to any guidelines you set for your health and safety. Do not feel bad if you choose to not have a specific person or group over. Sometimes it takes time to find our comfort again. Maintaining our sobriety is important, so it is okay to take your time with everything else.
De-Stress Your Space
How our living space makes us feel has a huge impact on our overall mental health. If the space makes us anxious, stressed, or angry, it could impact our sobriety and the choices we make. Things like clutter, messes, or unorganized surroundings can easily add to stress or anxiety. If we feel anxious in our home, it may make it so we do not want to be there. Taking the time necessary to organize your things and set yourself up for success is vitally important. Remove past objects, furniture, or decor that hold negative energy. Try to create a fresh, light space that is filled with positivity and hope for the future. Your living space should be your safe haven– somewhere that you can relax, de-stress, and find your inner calm. You learned a lot of coping mechanisms during treatment. You also practiced a lot of skills and techniques to stay physically and mentally healthy. Your living space is a key component of your physical and mental health.
Location, Location, Location
While the inside of your living space is hugely important, the location can be as well. Whether you choose to live on your own, with family, or with friends, you have to take the time to really consider what is best for you and your sobriety. Creating a wonderful space will do you no good if you are living with someone who triggers you back to your past. You can love and respect someone, but that does not mean they are necessarily a healthy choice to live with. Understanding your needs and emotions is key in making that educated decision. Also, consider the location of your living space. Making sure it is not connected to triggers or past negative behaviors or actions is important to consider when making that decision.
Creating a sobriety-friendly living space is a huge part of your continued recovery. You worked hard to get sober, gain life skills, and learn techniques to better process your emotions. Creating a living space that helps you maintain everything you worked for is key to success. For some, a sobriety-friendly living space may mean removing all substances. Others may need to work on removing triggers, including furniture or decor. This process looks different for everyone and can be a challenging task. Maintaining your sobriety is not a task that you need to do alone. Here at The Guest House, we are ready and willing to help you maintain the sobriety you achieved through treatment. Working with a professional can be helpful when dealing with the stress and pressure of sober living. Call us at (855) 483-7800 to learn more about how we can help at any stage of addiction recovery.