Some of the most important work we do in recovery involves shedding the limiting beliefs we hold about ourselves and instilling new, more empowering ones for ourselves. One of the most toxic beliefs we hold onto is that we are restricted by the limitations we’ve placed on ourselves, or that we feel have been placed upon us by others or by society. As we’re working to heal, we start to realize that our limitations, like many of our beliefs, are based on the illusions of our fears and not on reality. We start to see that our reality is whatever we manifest it to be.
The limitations imposed upon us by society are difficult to navigate. We think that societal norms are to be abided by. We assume that we ought not go against the status quo. We fall into the trap of believing that if society deems something acceptable or unacceptable, it must be true. The truth actually lies in working to transcend the limitations society places upon us. Cultural norms tell us, for example, that addiction is something to be ashamed of, to be silent about, to avoid speaking on. Our truth can be something different, though. We can tell ourselves a new set of truths. Our addictions are, in fact, nothing to be ashamed of. No one in this world is immune to difficulty and struggle. Our addictions happen to be our difficulties, our struggles. They are illnesses that we are extremely brave in fighting. We are powerful in our recovery. We are strong in not succumbing to them and allowing them to overpower us. We are brave in speaking about our addictions honestly and openly.
Societal limitations are tough because they surround us, inundating our thinking and the thinking of everyone we know. We might have to defend ourselves to other people, trying unsuccessfully to convince our loved ones that we are not immoral or shameful because of our addiction but struggling with an intense illness. We might feel as though we have to justify our desire to be seen as equal. This can be draining and exhausting. We can feel like shunned members of society. We can feel invisible, ignored, hated even, as policymakers criminalize addiction and penalize addicts rather than offering us the support we so desperately need. We can feel as though the societal constraints around addicts and addiction are so pervasive we can’t escape them.
Perhaps the most damaging limitations we must contend with, however, come from within. We give our energy to the limiting beliefs telling us that we’re not good enough, that we’re doomed to suffer and incapable of recovering. We give credence to the notion that addiction is stronger and more powerful than we are. We give into the belief that our addictions make us shameful, bad people. When we accept these beliefs as true, we’re literally hurting ourselves and our chances of getting well. We’re self-sabotaging, whether consciously or subconsciously, and defeating ourselves in all kinds of ways.
When we believe in our perceived limitations, we tend to be that much more likely to self-destruct. Our addictions are themselves a form of self-destruction. We use our addictive substances and behaviors as a means of self-medicating and numbing our pain, knowing full well how unhealthy and toxic they are for us. We know how damaging and dangerous they are, but our self-destructiveness causes us to be less concerned with our health and well-being than we might be otherwise.
One of the limitations we subscribe to is that stopping our addictive patterns is simply a matter of willpower, and that if we haven’t quit yet, it’s because we’re not strong enough, not trying hard enough, not good enough. We believe we’re lazy and weak. We believe we’re inadequate. We believe we’re simply not giving enough effort or putting in enough work. And sometimes we’re not, sometimes we could be working more and trying harder to recover, but beating ourselves up in this way and judging ourselves only knocks us down further. It depletes us of our energy, chips away at our already fragile sense of self-worth, and makes us feel even worse about ourselves. We can’t possibly hope to transcend our limitations if we’re hurting ourselves mentally and emotionally in this way.
The work we do to transcend our limitations involves working to change our beliefs. We have to start believing that anything is possible, and that we are capable of anything. We have to be more openminded and more open-hearted with our approach to our recovery. We have to tell ourselves that, along with our willpower, we also must work on our self-love, our feelings of self-worth, and our self-esteem. We have to shed the pridefulness that makes us resist getting help. Instead of thinking that it’s too late for us to recover, that ‘if we’ve gone this long being unable to quit, we’ll never be able to,’ we have to start telling ourselves that no, it’s never too late. It’s never too late to make changes in our lives. It’s never too late to start making healthier choices. It’s absolutely never too late to ask for help.
When we include transcending our limitations as part of our recovery goals, we can start to affirm and believe in our power, our capabilities, and our inner strength. We can supplement our willpower and resilience with newfound faith in ourselves. We can renew our sense of self and rebuild ourselves from within. Our limitations are meant not to be adhered to but instead to be transcended. We’re meant to succeed. We’re meant to manifest the recovery we want for ourselves.
The Guest House Ocala provides unparalleled, premier-quality treatment to those who suffer from self-defeating behaviors brought on by trauma and its underlying issues. We are uniquely equipped to help our guests heal from trauma-induced substance abuse, process addiction, anxiety or depression in a safe, comfortable and confidential setting. Call 855-483-7800 today for more information.