Addiction recovery is one of the hardest, most rewarding processes of a person’s life. Because it pushes us to re-discover ourselves, we come out stronger than we ever thought possible. Resilience is at the heart of recovery, and part of becoming more resilient is learning how we can love ourselves – through the good and bad.
If you’re ready to learn how to love yourself, consider implementing any of these self-loving activities into your daily routine.
Practice Self-Forgiveness
Society has a way of making us feel horrible for the mistakes we’ve made, especially when substance abuse is involved. The art of self-forgiveness helps us to understand and recognize that as human beings, we’re going to make mistakes – but we are still worthy of love and support. Forgive yourself for the past, and make goals to work towards in the future.
Increase Awareness
With addiction comes a sense of losing ourselves. Addiction recovery should involve regaining awareness of the things that matter most to us. Create a list of things you’re grateful for – and stay tuned to unique discoveries about yourself as you learn and grow.
Practice Empathy and Compassion
It’s so easy to be critical of ourselves. “I should’ve done this sooner” or “I can’t believe I did those things” are common thoughts for people in recovery. We must practice empathy and compassion with ourselves before we can truly move forward. We don’t have to stay stuck in this negative pattern of feeling that we’re not good enough – and the kinder we are to ourselves, the kinder we can be to others as well.
Implement Self-Care Daily
Self-care is about making sure that we take part in daily activities that make us feel good about ourselves. This includes things like reading a good book, trying a new hobby, enjoying nature, or taking a few moments to relax and reflect. It’s good for us to take a break from technology and just breathe. Even if you don’t feel like it, practicing self-care on a daily basis can help you to develop a routine that will carry you thought even the worst of days.
pull through for you even on the worst of days.
Know Your Strength
You’re your own advocate, and your biggest cheerleader in life. Recognize the truly amazing amounts of potential that you possess and the wondrous ways that you could impact the world with your story. Don’t give up on your dreams – take each day step by step, and you’ll grow stronger along the way.
Find What Works
As you go through your recovery journey, consider what’s working and what isn’t – and then readjust your plan if needed. Just be sure to continue loving yourself along the way.
If you’re ready to seek help and learn to love yourself again, speak with a professional from Alta Loma today.
Alta Loma recognizes that all individuals are unique, and so are the solutions that you need to be healthy. We provide you with a safe, support-filled environment where you can increase your confidence and grow your independence, preparing you for a successful life in recovery. Call us today at (866) 457-3843.
