Do you find yourself trying to fill every gap in your recovery schedule with an activity, volunteer opportunity, or social engagement?While keeping busy is important – especially in early recovery when you’re trying to fill the void left by your addiction – it’s also critical to give yourself time to heal and re-prioritize your life.
The key is to strike a healthy balance – and that will mean being intentional about your commitments and learning to say “no.” Don’t feel guilty about turning down invitations; part of your recovery journey is getting to know what brings you joy and relaxation and what causes stress and drains your reserves.
Learning to say “no” will also help when trying to determine healthy relationships. Now is the time to choose friends and loved ones carefully. This way, you surround yourself with people who support and encourage you – not those who urge you to give in and give up.
We know that saying “no” is never easy – but it is a powerful recovery tool. In the words of singer-actor-investor Jared Leto: “With the power of no comes focus and engagement." And being able to focus on your recovery is vital for lasting sobriety and long-term health!
Four Easy Ways to Say No
Here are a few explanations/workarounds you may want to give a whirl:
- “I can’t this time.”
- “Sorry — not today.”
- “That doesn’t work for me right now — but I’ll get back to you if something changes.”
- “Thanks for thinking of me, but I need to focus on my recovery now.
Saying Yes to Relapse Prevention
From identifying high-risk situations to learning mindfulness techniques that center you, our relapse prevention and aftercare planning at Complete Harmony will empower you and slowly eliminate the dangerous urge to self-medicate. Call today: 866-930-4673.
From identifying high-risk situations to learning mindfulness techniques that center you, our relapse prevention and aftercare planning at Complete Harmony will empower you and slowly eliminate the dangerous urge to self-medicate. Call today: 866-930-4673.
