The holidays tend to resurrect old thought patterns about family roles, expectations, memories, and emotions that don’t usually carry as much weight throughout the rest of the year. Whether we’re surrounded by people or spending the season alone, the pressure can feel overwhelming and is very personal. In recovery that pressure can be like a tea kettle ready to scream, but we have tools to face it differently. 12 Days of Christmas in Recovery is a framework using principles from my sobriety program to help us stay merry, sober, and grateful through the holidays.

These twelve tools include familiar phrases like one day at a time, letting go of expectations, and seeking to understand rather than be understood. Each one helps soften the emotional intensity of the season and protect our relationships and sobriety. The goal is waking up the next day sober, clear-headed, and with our integrity intact. That, to me, is a very Merry Christmas indeed!

Listen to this special holiday episode of the Recovery Daily Podcast: 12 Days of Christmas in Recovery: A Merry, Sober, and Grateful Christmas

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

#RecoveryDailyPodcast #HolidayRecovery #SoberHolidays #OneDayAtATime #EmotionalSobriety #SobrietySupport #RecoveryTools #GratefulInRecovery #AARecovery #MentalWellness

When I was newly sober and new to post-stroke life, I thought I’d never recover from either. Years later when someone praises my courage, I find it difficult to respond because it never felt like courage. It felt scary, uncomfortable, and impossible. The people I looked up to back then felt like superheroes, and I couldn’t imagine ever being seen that way. What looks like courage from the outside feels like fearful willingness on the inside.

Willingness was the first building block for me in recovery. I showed up scared, followed suggestions I didn’t understand, stayed when I wanted to run, and asked for help without confidence. That willingness opened the door to faith, and over time, faith quietly built strength. Courage, I’ve realized, is willingness that’s been practiced. Strength is consistently staying.

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

#RecoveryDailyPodcast #WillingnessInRecovery #SobrietyJourney #StrokeRecovery #EmotionalSobriety #FaithAndRecovery #HealingInProgress #RecoveryCommunity #OneDayAtATime #StrengthThroughWillingness

I live in recovery, and whether we talk about it or not, we’re all recovering from something. I talk a lot about sobriety and stroke recovery, but at its core, my podcast is about living better while managing mental wellness and waking up curious about the day instead of dreading it.

People say the phrase, “I’ve finally arrived.” That’s always impressed me. I was never going to get where I was going with a state of mind where every achievement immediately pointed me toward the next goal. There was always another milestone ahead, another version of myself I thought I needed to become, and very little time spent actually resting in where I was. Arriving.

After my stroke changed my destination without my permission, the future I planned disappeared and so did hope. Sobriety taught me how to live one day at a time, and my stroke taught me how to let the present moment be enough. Spiritual progress is how often I consistently, constantly, and honestly practice acceptance, willingness, and trust. I don’t know where I’m going, and that matters less to me now than being grateful for where I am.

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

#RecoveryDailyPodcast #LivingInRecovery #SpiritualProgress #OneDayAtATime #StrokeRecovery #SobrietyJourney #MentalWellness #AcceptanceAndTrust #HealingInThePresent #RecoveryCommunity