“Forgive yourself for not knowing what you didn’t know before you learned it.” – Maya Angelou.
No one is perfect. We all make mistakes—it’s part of being human. Yet, despite this universal truth, why is it often so challenging to forgive ourselves? As we explore the concept of self-forgiveness, you discover why it matters and how to navigate this pivotal aspect of the recovery journey.
“Recovery is a process. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes everything you’ve got.” – Anonymous.
The holiday season is considered a time of joy, connection, and celebration, but it often marks a particularly challenging period for individuals in or just beginning their recovery journey.
Sometimes, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm for the season of celebrations. It can also be a period of stress, sadness, and loneliness for others—and sometimes can be particularly difficult for people living with mental health and substance use conditions. Major holidays, particularly those centered around family and social bonds, can trigger deep feelings of disappointment and emotional turmoil, often stemming from unfulfilled expectations, significant losses, or other life shifts.
In the journey of recovery, one crucial skill that requires practice and commitment is setting and sustaining boundaries. While the concept of negotiating boundaries might not be unfamiliar in the context of recovery, what sets this stage of Recovery apart is the emphasis on learning to identify, communicate and maintain mindful boundaries in order to move forward. While essential for nurturing and maintaining healthy relationships, it’s a tricky skill that ultimately becomes a bedrock for you and your path to sobriety.
The Power of Purpose
“Purpose provides you with an inner compass that guides every decision and leads you to the experiences that will light up your soul.” – Maggie Wooll
Finding purpose can be crucial on the road of recovery and the journey toward living a fulfilling life.
The sun is shining; summer is in full bloom and it is the perfect time to tap into one of the greatest tools for recovery: the great outdoors. There are countless ways to soak in the wonderful effects that being outside can have on your mind, emotions, and physical body. Here are a few to nudge you out the door:
“I try to help others and I’d like to take the stigma out of alcoholism…” Wonder Woman, Lynda Carter
Addiction is a complex issue that affects millions of people worldwide. It is a chronic disease that requires medical treatment, but unfortunately, it is often stigmatized and misunderstood, even among recovery professionals. It is essential to end the stigma of addiction to ensure that people who suffer from this disease receive the care and support they need.
The stigma surrounding addiction often arises from the misconception that it is an individual’s moral failing or a lack of willpower. As recovery professionals, we understand that addiction is a chronic illness that alters brain function and can be influenced by genetic, environmental, and social factors. This means that it is not a choice, and people with addiction need support to manage their condition, just like those with any other chronic illness, such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
Celebrate. You Deserve It!
“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” Oprah Winfrey
Measuring progress can be challenging. It requires perseverance and can often feel discouraging and slow. However, it’s important to recognize and celebrate the small victories that contribute to progress. These victories can be as simple as thinking positive thoughts, getting a good night’s sleep, making a dentist appointment, going to the gym, or even just getting out of bed. Regardless of how small they may seem, why not celebrate these victories?
Every day you will make decisions about what is best for your recovery process, and each day may pose a new challenge. One in ten full-time workers faces substance use problems, making it crucial for our work environments to be recovery friendly. You may not have thought before about how your place of work could affect your sobriety, but when we look at what is common practice in many office or work environments, we might see the variety of ways that it can create more of a challenge than we would initially think.
Being proactive in ensuring that the company you are working for is providing resources and fostering an environment that will benefit yours, and others’, recovery can benefit the entire workplace through an overall increase in employee morale. This means it is not only in the best interest of your recovery to have a supportive work environment, but also your employers.
Mindfulness can take many forms but can be very helpful to adopt into your daily life to step up your recovery journey. We encourage trying many different things and finding what works best for you as everybody’s journey looks different.
Mindfulness is defined as focusing on one’s awareness of the present moment while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings and thoughts.
Recovery is a process that looks different for every individual, which is why at Olalla Recovery Centers we provide a variety of activities and treatment options. Depending on what works best for our patients they have options to pick from to encourage better practices in their life-long journey through recovery.
Olalla Recovery Centers has always understood the importance of holistic practices that support health and wellbeing throughout recovery. Over the last couple of years with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had to get creative but are grateful that we can still provide our patients these activities in order to incorporate them into their recovery.
Illegally made fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid is often mixed in with other illicit drugs and counterfeit pills, leading to an increased chance of overdose. A fatal dose of fentanyl can be as small as 3 grains of salt. Educating ourselves on the dangers of fentanyl and what it is that makes it so dangerous can be lifesaving information and aid in overdose prevention.
Codependency is a term used to explain unbalanced relationships where one person enables another person’s self-destructive behavior such as addiction, poor mental health, and irresponsibility.
It can be hard to identify, and admit, when relationships in your life are codependent, especially when you really care about the relationship.
Spring is one of my all-time favorite seasons. Keeping busy and staying sober can go hand in hand. Here are 5 spring quotes to inspire and help you stay sober from Olalla Recovery Centers.
Living in the Northwest, we are no stranger to the gray days that fall and winter provide. Spring is marching on our doorstep, and we all can benefit from vitamin D. This essential vitamin is produced naturally in our bodies when we are in the sun and helps fight depression, boosts our moods, and has even been linked to fighting diseases. Get outside and redeem the benefits!
Self-love and care are so important. Not just for your sobriety journey but also for your overall health and wellness.
According to a study from studyfinds.org, they discovered that nearly two out of three people felt more confident, happier, and productive after they participated in some form of a self-care routine.
Here at Olalla Recovery Centers, we believe in a holistic approach to healing oneself during recovery. And we are right beside you on becoming and staying sober.
Why not try something new or tried and true on your self-care today. Your body and mind will thank you in the long run.
The Christmas decorations are down, holiday music is no longer on the radio, and leftovers are in the trash. Finally, a crisp, fresh start is in the air – and I am more than ready for the new beginning that January always welcomes. Including – adding some new things to my bucket list this winter. Check out the details here.
On our journey to sobriety or staying sober, it is vital to establish healthy habits. So why not have some of these activities be bucket list-worthy? We’ve done the research, now all you have to do is choose which one (or many) you would like to add to your new sobriety routine.
Check out your winter bucket list, share it with your friends, and comment on what you would like to try out the most.
Mental Health First Aid | The New CPR
Did you know that you can take a first aid class focused solely on mental health? Meet, Mental Health First Aid – the new CPR.
In these times of social isolation, mental soundness is more critical than ever, but many individuals find it difficult to cope. That’s where Mental Health First Aid steps in.