Embracing Slow Recovery: Giving Yourself Permission to Be Enough
Over the past few months, I’ve been working with an embodiment coach and doing the work of dropping into my physical body with a question and then waiting for an answer. I’ve had to be so patient in this process. I want to rush to an answer, but I know that when I do, it comes from the cognitive and not the physical. It comes from performance and not wisdom. It comes from pleasing and not authenticity. I’ve been frustrated with how slow my body is to communicate with me and how much time my body needs to feel safe. But when I can sit and nurture the discomfort with sweet words of acknowledgment, my body begins to soften, and I hear the same message over and over again: go slow.
In a world that often feels like a relentless whirlwind, it's easy to get caught up in the frenzy of trying to fix ourselves, be better, and do more. We're inundated with messages that push us to move faster, achieve more, and constantly improve. It feels like a miracle when my body reminds me that there's a different path to healing and transformation.
Slow Recovery is Sustainable Recovery
In the rush to transform our lives, we often forget that slow and steady progress can be the most sustainable. Just as we didn't rush into our attachment to alcohol, our recovery doesn't have to be a rapid race to the finish line. It's a process of unlearning, healing, and rediscovering ourselves, and it can be beautifully slow. And spoiler alert: there isn’t a finish line as this recovery keeps evolving.
Permission to Stop Fixing Ourselves
The first step towards embracing slow recovery is giving ourselves permission to stop fixing ourselves. It's about acknowledging that we are enough, just as we are, and that we are doing enough. This permission isn't something we need to seek from others; it's a gift we can give ourselves.
The Power of Small Steps
Small steps consistently taken over time can lead to profound changes. Think of it as a gentle, steady flow rather than a rushing river. Each small step you take is a testament to your strength and resilience. It's about progress, not perfection.
Acknowledging the Slow Build
Our attachment to alcohol wasn't an overnight occurrence. It was a slow build, shaped by experiences, emotions, and circumstances. Similarly, our recovery is a journey of gradual change, where we untangle the threads that held us back.
Finding Tenderness in the Process
In the tender journey of slow recovery, it's essential to be kind to ourselves. Treat yourself with the same compassion you would offer to a dear friend. Understand that healing takes time, and it's okay to stumble along the way. Each stumble is an opportunity for growth.
Embracing the Wisdom of Slow Recovery
As we embrace slow recovery, we find ourselves in sync with the rhythms of life. We can draw inspiration from the natural world, where seasons change gently and life unfolds at its own pace. In the tender unfolding of our recovery, we discover our true selves, unburdened by the need to fix or change.
So, dear one, as you navigate the path of recovery, remember that you have permission to say, "I am enough," and "I am doing enough." Your small steps, taken with tenderness and authenticity, lead you toward lasting change.
In the gentleness of this journey, you'll find the transformation you seek. You'll discover that the most profound changes often come from the sweetest moments of self-acceptance. You are enough. And your journey is unfolding exactly as it should.