Navigating loneliness in recovery is usually tough. When Valentine’s Day rolls around in February, loneliness can be even more intense. This February, make a point of practicing self-love, self-care, and self-acceptance. Those practices are an excellent way to break out of loneliness and spend time with the most important person: you.
Navigating Loneliness in Recovery
If you’re like many people, recovery can seem like a lonely journey. When you were still in active addiction, you may have been surrounded by people who didn’t necessarily have your best interests at heart. Now that you’ve started a new chapter of your life, it’s important to build supportive connections with others and also with yourself.
According to a 2020 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry, social isolation and solitude are common for people with substance use disorder (SUD). Oftentimes, this feeling of loneliness leads to increased substance use.
When you choose the path of recovery, your life is going to be a lot different. A quality recovery program can help you create new support networks and inspire you to heal your relationship with yourself.
Navigating Loneliness: Rediscovering Your Sense of Self
Addiction can lead you to lose your sense of self and identity. After years of substance use, you may even end up with low self-esteem or feelings of guilt and shame that can hinder your recovery.
If this is the case, it’s important to remember that you are not your addiction. Since February is the month of love, you can use this time to rediscover love for yourself and who you really are apart from your struggles with SUD.
Navigating Loneliness With Self-Love and Care
In the month of February, reminders of Valentine’s Day are everywhere. Stores are filled with cards, candies, and other gifts, making it difficult for those who are navigating loneliness already.
Nevertheless, during this time, it can feel empowering to be your own valentine. You can buy yourself flowers and double down on practices that help you truly love and care for yourself.
Self-Forgiveness
A great place to start your new self-love and care routine is to practice self-forgiveness. According to a 2013 study published in Substance Abuse, self-forgiveness has the potential to reduce the negative experiences of guilt and shame associated with SUD.
If you don’t have one already, pick up a journal you can use during the month of February. You can begin practicing self-forgiveness by simply writing a letter to yourself. At the top of the page, you can write, “I forgive myself for.” Then you can write down any negative thoughts, feelings, or experiences that come to mind.
Self-forgiveness may seem almost too simple, but it’s incredibly powerful. Try not to judge what comes up so that you can release each feeling or memory with love.
Positive Affirmations
Using positive affirmations is another powerful way you can cultivate deeper self-love. You can recite affirmations in the mirror, write them down in your journal, or just speak them out loud while you’re going about your day.
Simple statements like “I am worthy of love and acceptance” or “I love myself just the way I am” can actually train your subconscious mind to believe positive thoughts about yourself.
Self-Love Practices
During the month of February, you may want to commit to daily self-love practices. However, don’t be hard on yourself if you skip a day or two. The point is to help you get into a new routine with small steps each day.
Journaling is a great tool to help you cultivate deeper self-love. You can use a journal to track your self-love progress. This could include writing down your wins for the day. You could also consciously write soothing messages about the fears and worries you may be having.
Self-Care
The final part of your self-love month can include intentional self-care practices designed just for you. Self-care practices can include any of the following:
- Taking a calming bath by candlelight
- Pampering yourself with at-home treatments or going to the spa
- Treating yourself with flowers, gifts, and sweets
- Taking naps and getting ample rest
- Using mind-body practices like meditation, yoga, and breath work
- Taking time out to read, write, or color with a cup of calming tea
No matter what you choose to do for self-care, it’s important to do it unapologetically. Don’t feel guilty for spending this time on yourself. Instead, sink into the moment and give yourself the time and attention you deserve.
Healing at The Guest House
During this potentially challenging month, it’s more important than ever to focus on self-love and care. At The Guest House, our mission is to help you rediscover your sense of self while creating a strong foundation for lasting success.
Your recovery journey is really all about you. At The Guest House, we understand that each and every person has their own unique set of circumstances and struggles. This is why we place such a strong emphasis on individualized care, allowing you to create a toolkit for healing that suits you best.
Holistic Therapies and Self-Care
The Guest House offers a cutting-edge recovery program that includes transformative tools to help you heal your mind, body, and spirit. Our unique blend of traditional and holistic modalities will enable you to find the practices that work best for you.
We offer a wide variety of therapies that will help you regain your sense of self. Here you can explore different modalities like conscious connected breath work, music therapy, and art therapy.
Navigating loneliness in February can be difficult. At The Guest House, you will find the right tools and support to help you love yourself again. This effort to love yourself better will create a strong foundation for your recovery.
Navigating loneliness in recovery can be hard. In the month of February, it can be even more difficult. There are reminders of love and relationships everywhere. At The Guest House, we believe that successful recovery is rooted in a strong foundation of self-love. February is the perfect time to create this foundation and develop your own self-love and care practice. The Guest House offers a wide variety of tools and modalities to help you regain your sense of self as you learn how to heal your mind, body, and spirit. Here we place a strong emphasis on individualized care, allowing you to create your own toolkit for success. Call us today at (855) 483-7800.