To say my life was unmanageable before I got sober is an understatement. I stopped paying bills, going to work, and even getting out of bed. Mornings were a blur of throwing up and drinking wine just to keep something down. (Sorry for the visual.) When I reflect on what it truly means to admit that life is unmanageable, I realize now that for me, unmanageable meant impossible. I was faced with a choice: live or die.

And yet, I kept drinking. In 2015, I sought help and spent six days in detox. My withdrawal symptoms were so severe that I was prescribed a walker because I was a fall risk. Even after all that, I drank again just two months later. For another eight months, I spiraled—until my 15-year-old daughter, Bailey, said, “Mom, it’s okay to try again.” Imagine your child encouraging you to save your own life. I thought I’d carry regret for that moment forever.

But I’ve learned not to regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. Those moments of shame and despair brought me to where I am today. I’m grateful for the lessons and the chance to start again.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

Visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

#SobrietyJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #GratitudeInRecovery #OvercomingAddiction #MentalHealthAwareness #AlcoholFreeLife #SoberLiving #HealingThroughSobriety #AddictionRecovery #FromRegretToGratitude

I told my husband when I started my podcast that if my pain could help even one person, I would have achieved what I set out to do. With every message I receive from listeners in recovery—whether from alcoholism, stroke, or mental health challenges—he reminds me, "You’ve reached your goal again." (I know, he’s adorable!)

It’s important for me to always remember my purpose. It keeps me motivated and hopeful on the days when I question what all this pain is for. Despite the odds, I’m still here, and my voice was given back to me after losing it during my stroke, when I couldn’t form the words I was thinking.

I’ve come to realize that my goals are the right size for me now. A few years ago, my aspirations revolved around being praised and distinguished. Accepting my disability was the first step toward understanding my role as a human being among human beings. It’s taken hard work to appreciate subtle progress and to recognize the gifts of recovery.

I no longer strive to be the best, only to crawl under the covers with a swig of wine. My years of wishful thinking were steeped in absolute fear. Now, instead of wishing for what I want, I work toward what is possible.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

Visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

#PurposefulLiving #RecoveryJourney #MentalHealthMatters #StrokeSurvivor #AlcoholRecovery #EmbraceProgress #FindingYourVoice #GratitudePractice #HealingJourney #HopeAndHealing #SmallStepsBigChange #LivingWithPurpose #InspirationThroughAdversity

Today I listened to an amazing new type of music for meditation. Its native American flute music by R. Carlos Nakai. The album is called “Earth Spirit.” It made me feel like I was in a massage studio awaiting my massage therapy to begin. I was listening because I needed an alternative to yoga today. I’m super sore but didn’t want to skip getting my mat out today for fear that it would break the habit I’m building.

Yoga has been the single most effective therapy for my chronic back pain. I have faith that it will help me like it always has. Having faith in something means nothing unless I act like it—that means I get on my yoga mat every day. Having faith in my sobriety program and acting like it means that I go to meetings every day. Having faith in a higher power, whatever that means in my life, means that I’m not self-centered in my behavior.

The first leap I’ve had to make is to believe that something outside of me can help me or may know better than me. The next leap is to act like I believe it—do the next right thing even when I don’t want to and don’t feel like it. Believing must inspire action to have any impact on my life.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

Visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

#FaithInAction #BeliefAndAction #ActOnFaith #DailySobriety #NativeFluteMeditation #YogaHealing #ChronicPainRelief #MindfulLiving #SpiritualGrowthJourney #DoTheNextRightThing #RecoveryInspiration #HigherPowerGuidance #BuildingHealthyHabits