The Practice of Stillness in Sobriety
It’s intuitive that once you pursue sobriety you must say “no” to alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and other substances. But the practice of saying “no” should extend to many areas of your life, including your schedule, your commitments, and your relationships.
Leave Time for Self-Care
Once you have made it through detox and the early stages of recovery, you may find yourself trying to fill every gap in your schedule with an activity, volunteer opportunity, or social engagement. “After all,” you argue, “If I don’t leave time to drink or use, I am better off.”
While it’s true that you need to discover new interests, pursue new hobbies, and make new friends, it is also critical to leave time in your schedule to be still. The Bible says, “Be still and know that I am God,” (Psalm 46:10), but stillness is just as important when you are pursuing a secular recovery.
Stillness looks different for everyone and may include time to:
- Sit (alone) at a coffee shop & people watch.
- Process what you are learning in recovery.
- Journal or blog about your feelings.
- Pray or meditate.
- Get a massage or take a yoga class.
- Stay home and watch a movie.
- Enjoy a much-needed midday nap.
Evaluate Your Relationships
A second part of saying “no” during recovery is determining which relationships are healthy and which relationships contribute to negative feelings or potential relapse. Work with your counselor to dissect past relationships—and keep only the ones that support your sobriety. Sometimes you need a break from healthy relationships, too—to give yourself time to heal and reprioritize your life. A good friend or valued family member will understand when you step back from social engagements to pour yourself into addiction treatment.
“No” Is Not a Bad Word
One of the best things you can do for yourself during addiction rehab is managing your stress levels and feed your spirit. Cramming dozens of activities into your week is likely to leave you feeling more fatigued than energized, so be intentional about your commitments and do not feel guilty turning down an invitation. Lasting recovery begins by getting to know the real you and learning what brings you joy and what drains your reserves.
Get Off the Commitment Treadmill
Your overscheduled life could be driving an addiction that is tearing you apart. When it’s time to get off the treadmill, make a call to Coast to Coast Recovery: 800-210-8229. Walking with you every step of the way, we help you achieve balance in your life—without resorting to drugs and alcohol to get through your day, week, or month.
