Recovery isn’t always a comfortable process. As you being introspection and therapeutic investigation, you find that at once you’re learning more about yourself, and know less about yourself than ever before. In between, you can feel uncomfortable being you, because who you are is changing. Remember, it’s okay to be wherever you are in your recovery.
Your opinions, thoughts, values, and beliefs aren’t concrete yet: They certainly don’t have to be. Being stuck in one frame of mind is not the most freeing place to be. Having an open mind is critical to recovery. When you don’t have a lot on your mind in terms of your values and beliefs or thoughts and opinions, you can feel closed-minded anyway. Getting to know yourself is an exploratory adventure. Each day you are learning a little bit more about who you are, what you like, what you don’t like, what you stand for, what you oppose, and what all of that means. Give yourself time and enjoy the process of self-discovery. You aren’t comfortable around other people: Social anxiety is a common characteristic of early recovery. Settling into your own skin makes being around others a difficult task. If you aren’t completely comfortable with yourself it is hard to be comfortable around anyone else. You avoid social interactions or when you’re forced to be a part of them, you distract yourself as much as possible on your phone, stepping outside, or just leaving. Give yourself compassion as your endure these awkward situations and learn how to grow through them. Understand it is okay to leave a situation when you are feeling overwhelmed. You’re hyper-aware of your physical body: Body image issues, body dysmorphia, and eating disorders are common developments in an effort to cope with trauma. Feelings of insecurity are manifested through your physical body because you aren’t yet capable of connecting to and fully coping with the state of your emotional self. In moments of feeling uncomfortable, triggered, or unsure, you might find yourself anxious to gain some awareness of your physical state. Since you can’t connect to anything else, checking in with your body gives you a sense of momentary safety and control. “Body checking” behaviors can include feeling your body, squeezing your body, or looking at your body. Most often they are areas you consider to be “problematic”.
You can become comfortable in your own skin again. Whether you are struggling to cope with trauma, addiction, eating disorder, mental health, or related issues, The Guest House Ocala has a residential program to help you heal. Call us today for information: 1-855-483-7800