Recovery from substance use disorder and mental illness can feel both exciting and scary. Healing requires you to push yourself out of your comfort zone. It is important to remember that healing is not linear, and there will be moments when you may feel like you are just not getting anywhere. It is these moments that are most important that you show up for yourself, regardless of the resistance present.
Shift Your Perspective
Oftentimes, the experiences you desire and everything “worth” having do not come easily. Accepting the discomfort that comes with taking action in the direction of your desired goals will always bring ease in the long run, even if you want to crawl out of your skin in the moments leading up to it. When you come up against hardship, try shifting your perspective to see the long-term results of this short-term tribulation. Then it might be easier to get through the things that are hard now but will benefit you later.
Remembering Why You Started
In times when healing feels easier said than done, it can be helpful to remember why you started your healing journey in the first place. Perhaps it was to experience freedom, discover your true self, have healthier relationships, or be able to experience life beyond suffering or dependence on something harmful. Whatever it is, allow yourself to remember these desires.
The fact that you have this desire, even if it feels inaccessible, means you will get to experience this dream if you continue showing up.
Doing the Hard Thing
Although not easy in the moment, doing what feels “hard” is often the antidote to stagnation.
Maybe one day, showing up will mean simply showing up to therapy. While the next it may mean saying no to a relationship you know is triggering for you. Doing the hard thing is what allows you to gain and keep momentum, build self-trust, and cultivate confidence in your ability to do hard things and experience recovery.
Each time you say yes to a challenge that gets you closer to recovery, you say yes to your true and healthy self, while breaking old patterns that keep you stuck in bad habits. Practices such as shifting your perspective, remembering why you started, and doing hard things can help you access hope when motivation is difficult to come by.
Healing and recovery are not linear processes, and motivation can ebb and flow. The absence of motivation can make showing up for recovery hard, and it is these moments that are the most important for you to push through. At Avalon Malibu, we recognize how challenging moments in your recovery can be. Our team of professionals is here to support you as you continue to take strides in your healing. If you need help beginning your journey to recovery from substance abuse or mental illness, call Avalon Malibu today at (844) 857-5992.
