When it comes to recovery stories, I can remember the first time I heard an individual stand up in front of myself and possibly an entire room for the strangers and say I’ve been to the bottom but now I’m on my way to the top. You see it’s recovery stories that are told that show people a pathway and how they can be victorious when it comes to their sobriety goals and taking back control of their life. That is why today we’re taking the time out to discuss Not just what a recovery story is to ask the question of you, what is your recovery story?
Recovery stories are empowering. They reveal how an individual can fall to almost the bottom of the bottom and still find a way out. The greatest recovery stories that I’ve heard discuss the challenges that individuals have faced and express how they were able to make it through. It’s important to understand that the worst of moments that we’ve been through in life not only strengthen us, but also provide the most empowering stories in this recovery journey, possibly of all. It’s in certain hard moments that we learned the lesson lessons needed not just for ourselves, but that can help those around us.
As you’re reading this, I ask you, what is your recovery story? What are the successes or milestones that you’re proud of, sidenote if you’re somebody that’s not currently in recovery and you’re saying to yourself I don’t have a recovery story then at least take the time out to reflect on past successes and how you were able to accomplish those. Ultimately, this will be the same formula when it comes to drawing up your recovery story after you take those first steps in the sobriety.
On that note while some people already have a recovery story it is totally feasible that you’re still trying to identify yours. That being said, I asked that you envision what you want your life to look like in the future and how you’ll be able to accomplish that. I want you to reflect on the recovery goals that will be necessary to accomplish in order to take back control of your life, as well as create the life that you truly desire.
Telling your recovery story I always encourage individuals to be as transparent as possible. Telling your recovery story not only gives you an opportunity to advocate for yourself and get the support that you may need in the moment but also it gives you an opportunity to support those around you. It’s often times those storytellers that are able to dig deep and really reflect on those moments that are hard for others to express, that breakthroughs occur. To tell your story in a true transparent way to not be scared of those ugly moments and to be able to express how they were able to create a beautiful you is truly powerful.
You do not have to be a certain type of individual to tell your story, nor do you need a certain size audience. All you need is enough courage to be a voice for yourself and possibly those that have experience some of the same things as you as well. You do not need a college degree or a certification in lecturing or effective communication to be able to tell your recovery story. There is a very specific audience of people out here in the world that will reflect and respond to your story in your voice, that being said, it is important and imperative to acknowledge the fact that you are priceless And your story is too.
As I bring this weeks blog to a close, I asked the same question that I opened up with what is your recovery story, and again if you do not have a recovery story what do you want your recovery story to be? I want to challenge anybody reading this to at least take out a piece of paper and pencil pin and start jotting down the fuel lines that could be the beginning of your beautiful recovery story journaling in itself is a powerful tool and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with outlining your recovery message and what you want to speak out loud to the audiences and people that are willing to hear about your journey.
