The path of recovery is not always filled with joy. It is scary, frustrating, and a winding path that never seems to end. Life sober is different than living with addiction. Recovery takes diligence, time, and patience to pursue a life that is better than anyone can imagine but not always easy. To help find joy on the path of recovery, it means looking at it differently and seeking hope in the midst of the challenges.
Stay Present and Open
Joy is about staying connected to the present. People get lost in the past with recovery because they spend a lot of time reviewing their past hurt, pain, and difficult experiences. They may reside there rather than work to heal past trauma and wounds to move forward. By focusing on what is happening right now, people better focus when they have a clear mind to stay present and in the here and now.
Take in Beauty
Nature and other experiences in this life have hidden beauty that is not seen unless it is really seen. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder for some people. One person may not like nature hikes while another loves them. Some love art while others don’t like it at all. Whatever beauty looks like in this season, take moments out of the day to go find it for yourself. Go look for beauty and experience it every day. Even in small ways, beauty can be transformative for the journey.
Offer Forgiveness
Forgiveness is not easy. It might mean forgiving oneself or forgiving others. Forgiveness is a key step to moving on from the past. Everyone makes mistakes but don’t let that hold you back. Look ahead to how life can be better now. Make amends but don’t hesitate to move on after a while. Let the hurt be released so you can be free to move on from the past and step into a brighter future. You are worthy of forgiveness and you can offer it to others who caused harm as well.
Build Healthy Relationships
True joy comes out of meaningful connections with others. Relationships are important for people because they help them develop socially but also internally. A person’s spirit, emotional, and physical body can be changed in relationships with others who support and offer them, fellowship. Find sober friends and groups who want to hang out. Go do hobbies like exercising or creative endeavors. Go have fun for a little while and not think bout recovery. This will help develop those muscles to learn how to find joy again.
While ou work on living a sober life filled with joy, it does not mean life will be roses all the time. Addiction does not have to hold you back, however, and you are allowed to live life again even after addiction. Recovery is about discovering joy today and finding hope for the future.
The Guest House Ocala helps you find joy again in recovery. Our rehab program sets you up for success by giving you tools and support that help you navigate the road of recovery with peace and intentionality. It will not be perfect but we will be with you every step of the way. Call us to find out how to get started: 1-855-483-7800