We likely don’t have to tell you that the recovery process is far from an easy journey. It’s a challenge and you ‘ll likely feel uncomfortable along the way – from detox, or talking about your history of addiction to a counselor, or trying a new holistic treatment, or making amends or socializing without the crutch of drugs or alcohol.
Whatever the cause, learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable parts of recovery is a crucial step toward successfully living clean and healthy. Think about it. If everything came easy, if you were never challenged, if you only remained in your comfort zone, you likely wouldn’t even be in rehab today. You can’t grow and improve without being a little uncomfortable.
In fact, millions of successful people – inside and out of the recovery community – swear by this strategy to successfully achieve their goals. The first step: just show up.
That’s right. Just by seeking help for your addiction, you’re already beginning to learn. It’s never comfortable or easy to start something new and you may even reach a point when you want to quit. Don’t. This is the time to push yourself past your comfort zone and remind yourself that you’re committed to your recovery and there’s no turning back.
But how do you do this? Some experts say to “fake it to you make it.” In other words, you might be thinking to yourself “I can’t do this.” “I don’t know what I’m doing.” “I’ve never done this before.”
Here’s where you can teach yourself to fake confidence. Try a little positive self-talk: “I can do this.” “I'm a quick study.” “I’ll get the hang of this in no time.”
Here’s where you can teach yourself to fake confidence. Try a little positive self-talk: “I can do this.” “I'm a quick study.” “I’ll get the hang of this in no time.”
This is also when your support network really counts. Share your uncomfortable stories with your recovery peers, friends and family. Talking about these experiences with others will help put things in perspective and you’ll likely learn some new strategies for being more comfortable in these situations, too.
And, above all, remind yourself that recovery takes time and confidence comes from practice. Each time you push yourself beyond your comfort zone, you’re one step closer to overcoming the challenges of lasting sobriety.
Holistic Addiction Treatment by the Sea
Located at our beautiful beach community retreat in Southern California, Complete Harmony serves individuals seeking an alternative to conventional drug and alcohol recovery. To begin your journey toward mindful empowerment, call today: 866-930-4673.
