Passion for recovery is a beautiful thing. Filling your life with sober friends, activities, and ideas can be very fulfilling. However, you can hit a wall sometimes in your sobriety when we come to believe that recovery is all we do. Your life is filled with only sober ideas, events, and friends. You may begin to feel that there isn’t a distinction between who you are as a person and the sober life you are creating. This is perfectly normal and isn’t something to overanalyze or panic about. No matter how long you have been sober, these are thoughts that may come up and are understandable. Recovery isn’t meant to be limiting. The purpose is to discover your potential through the clarity of your new life. In dealing with this dilemma, there may be some changes you need to make to remember that your recovery is a wonderful part of who you are and not your entire identity.
(Re)Discover a Hobby or Pastime
Take a look into some of the activities that brought you joy in the past, or things you haven’t tried yet. Take a class in something you’ve always been interested in! Maybe art has always been a passion of yours. Revisit an old art form or try out a new one. Drawing, sculpting, painting, playing an instrument, or making music can be things that you do that make you unique! Get involved in a sport! Join a local kickball team, a dance class, or even a bowling league. Crafting, sewing, cooking, traveling, learning a new language, and creative writing are all other hobbies that can inspire you to create and learn. Taking part in any of these activities can reignite your passion for life and maybe even help you find a purpose or career path! Whether you are an athlete, a baker, or an artist, reconnecting with these hobbies can remind you that these are characteristics of your identity alongside your recovery.
Friendships Outside of Recovery Are Okay
Hanging out with work friends, or friends from the kickball league you just joined is perfectly alright. As long as you aren’t jeopardizing your recovery and you feel comfortable doing so, this is a great way to expand your life. New friends can add so much to your life and encourage you to get out of your own way. Don’t feel confined to the relationships you build in meetings and fellowship. Of course, these are very important bonds and are on a level that many outside friends cannot understand. Your network of friends and supporters can include sober friends as well as coworkers or people from other areas of your life. Having these friends doesn’t mean you are neglecting your recovery. It can be nice to meet new people, see new places, and try new things. This can enhance your life in many ways, as long as you feel stable in your recovery, and might introduce you to new perspectives of life!
Make a List of Your Values
While recovery is very important in your life, take a look at some of the other things that matter to you. Try to create a list of some of the core values you have. Here are a few examples:
- Family
- Adventure
- Peace
- Self-respect
- Humor
- Knowledge
- Love
These are only a couple of values that could have significance to you. Your list might be a few pages long and include entirely different things. Thinking about your values can remind you just how multifaceted you are. There are so many different attributes in your makeup, whether they are recovery-related or not. Values are foundations on which we live our lives and they vary from person to person. Considering some of them can remind you of where your passion or interests lie and give you a sense of purpose and direction.
Seeking Outside Help
If you truly feel that you are uncertain of your identity beyond recovery, it may be helpful to seek outside help. Talking with a therapist may help you refocus or guide you to rediscover attributes you’ve been neglecting. Express your concerns and ask questions. A specialist can help you find what you believe is missing if some of these other activities aren’t helping. There may be some unresolved issues or underlying problems that are getting in your way. If this is the case, the best course of action might be to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can create a safe space to work through your emotions and thoughts and offer guidance in uncovering other parts of your personality.
When we embark on a journey of recovery, it is something to be celebrated. Staying sober is no easy feat, and is truthfully a part of our daily life. When it begins to feel like our entire lives revolve around recovery, which is not a bad thing, there are many things we can do to remind ourselves that it is not true. Enjoy the fact that you are someone who is healing and getting better, that is a large part of who you are, and it is a positive thing! At the same time, don’t forget to honor all the other characteristics that make you special, or bring you joy! Humans are complex creatures, we are growing and changing all the time. Try new activities, revisit old ones, and love yourself for everything that makes you unique!
The Guest House provides quality care for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. We teach people how to live a sober life through programs, therapeutic support, and evidence-based therapies. Our recovery program is staffed by people who understand the power of addiction and are trained in helping you in the healing process. For more information on sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call 855-483-7800.