Flashback: What! It Wasn't Front Page News?
Birth of Clarity #36
Welcome to the Birth of Clarity newsletter on Substack.
Today is a throwback article from early 2020 - I’ve been on Substack since the early days before it was cool! I aim to sporadically release these old, formerly published posts over the coming year.
The article below - which was written the day after celebrating my first year of sobriety - talks about keeping your ego in check in addiction recovery and discusses good practices to flip a negative mindset/low mood.
FYI, the Birth of Clarity website is set to become a daily blog (coming soon)! The plan is to have a mixture of long and short posts that provide a more personal feel for readers. If this interests you, please check it out here:
What! It Wasn't Front Page News?
Reaching the milestone of one year alcohol-free was a remarkable achievement for me. However, celebrating the occasion wasn't quite what I had anticipated.
I imagined streamers and confetti falling from the sky, receiving congratulations from everyone I'd ever met, and making headlines in all the world's newspapers! Of course, I'm exaggerating, but it's a reminder to keep my ego in check.
All in all, it was just another day. Yet, for some reason, despite it being a significant milestone, I felt a bit off, a little down. It took me by surprise, and I found myself slipping back into old habits.
I began to speak negatively about myself, allowed myself to feel depressed, and even started doubting myself. I let myself wallow in self-pity and negativity longer than I should have before fighting my way out of the darkness and practising what I preach.
I flipped my negative mindset
Even during good times, negative thoughts can sneak in if you let them. This serves as a reminder that resilience and self-awareness are crucial for staying on the path of sobriety.
Have you faced similar setbacks?
If so, take the necessary steps to address them. Here's what worked for me on this occasion:
I reached out and connected with my Tribe via phone calls, messages, and Twitter DM.
I was truly present for my son.
I carefully compiled my gratitude list, gaining perspective on how far I've come over this past year.
While there may have been more I could have done, these steps did the trick.
Self-reflection is crucial during these times. Analysing what triggered the negative mindset and identifying strategies to prevent similar situations in the future can be immensely helpful.
Have you ever experienced sudden lows?
Remember, by utilising the tools in your toolbox, staying connected to your support system, and practising positive habits, you can overcome any challenges that come your way.
Here are some helpful articles related to today’s post:
Thank you for reading: “Flashback: What! It Wasn't Front Page News?” If anything in this article resonated with you and you’d like to ask a question or comment, please get in touch:
Check out the last post: “Addiction Recovery: A Battle for Your Soul.”
Take care,
Birth of Clarity
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Good reminder on how important self-awareness is and identifying when we are feeling “right” and having a plan to take action and not just react in the moment.