Logic didn’t get me sober or compel me to make major changes in my life. I knew alcohol was destroying me long before I stopped drinking, but that knowledge wasn’t enough. I had to feel desperate. Every transformation in my life has started with an intense emotional spark. Change has always been ignited by pain, fear, guilt, or even hope. Messy, humbling emotions propel me if I allow them to.

It starts with acknowledging what I feel and letting it push me toward action. When I name the emotion instead of burying it, I can understand what it’s asking me to do. Emotions can be invitations. The fear that once paralyzed me now signals me that I’m on the edge of growth. Guilt ignites amends. Hope fuels purpose. Consistent responses to my emotions build new habits.

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Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#EmotionalSobriety #RecoveryJourney #ChangeThroughEmotion #EmotionalGrowth #SobrietyStories #HealingFromWithin #FeelToHeal #CourageToChange #RecoveryDailyPodcast #MindfulRecovery

I thought honesty was just not lying to other people, but I’ve learned that it starts within. When I got sober, I could see the hiding and breaking promises, but I couldn’t see the lies I was telling myself. I began to look at my motives, fears, and excuses throughout the day. I had to stop justifying my behavior and pretending I was fine when I wasn’t. Honesty requires presence. I can’t be honest about what’s happening right now if I’m stuck in yesterday or tomorrow. I need a constant check-in with myself, Am I doing the best I can right now? Or am I avoiding getting uncomfortable? That self-awareness without judgment invites growth.

I still make excuses for my character defects, mostly to protect my ego. But when I notice it happening, I recognize it as an opportunity to grow. Honesty is giving yourself permission to be vulnerable. Being honest keeps me spiritually awake and connected to reality. And as a professional irrational thinker, I have to work at not making up stories in my head about what I think everyone else is thinking.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#HonestyInRecovery #EmotionalSobriety #SpiritualGrowth #RadicalHonesty #SelfAwarenessJourney #SobrietyAndGrowth #InnerHealing #AuthenticLiving #RecoveryDaily #MindfulHonesty

When I live in the present, life is simpler with less chaos, less noise, and less drama. In sobriety, that serenity comes from acceptance, willingness, and facing my fears. It’s doing the next right thing even when I don’t feel like it. That same mindset carries me through stroke recovery and life with chronic pain and vestibular disorder. Both require daily acceptance, balance, and the courage to live in what is, not what was or might be.

Growth only happens in the present moment. When I’m in my support groups, listening and sharing, I stay grounded where my feet are, and that’s where fear quiets and serenity waits. Living sober feels a lot like living with a chronic condition. It’s familiar, but still scary at times. Both are “one day at a time” journeys. Some days it’s one minute at a time, just showing up despite the pain. I don’t have to promise myself that everything will be okay someday. I only have to know that right now, everything is okay, and right now is where I’m learning to live.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Rather listen on Apple Podcasts? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/recovery-daily-podcast/id1693924779

Visit my Etsy shop, and join my creative journey at Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#sobriety #recoveryjourney #strokeawareness #vestibulardisorder #emotionalhealing #mindfulness #onedayatatime #acceptance #chronicpainrecovery #serenity