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When Letting Go Is the Hardest Fight: Learning to Breathe in the Mess

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When Letting Go Is the Hardest Fight: Learning to Breathe in the Mess You know that fight inside you—the one that never seems to end? The one where you want to scream, let it all go, but feel like you’re shackled to every mess and every old wound? Yeah. That fight. Letting go isn’t a one-time event or some Instagram mantra. It’s a brutal daily battle with your own heart and brain. If you’re holding on so tight it’s choking you—this one’s for you. There comes a quiet day in your life when you finally stop fighting for things that were never meant to stay. You stop chasing closure. You stop demanding people understand you. You stop rewriting stories that were already finished long ago. And it’s not because you don’t care anymore—it’s because you’ve finally learned that peace is more valuable than proving a point. It’s brutal to admit, because part of us wants to wrestle the pain, to prove we mattered, to fix the unfixable. But no amount of control can make life hold still, can force the ...
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Newly released!

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Just released: “The Circle Stays Unbroken,” a story that’s already resonating with families, educators, and clinicians across the country. Set in Wisconsin’s Northwoods, this children’s novel follows Eli and his brother Sammy as they navigate the return of their father from prison—a homecoming marked by hope, disappointment, and the tough reality of addiction’s impact on families. Through their Ojibwe heritage shared with them by their stepfather’s stories, they discover that circles—like families—can stretch, bend, break, and still, miraculously, hold. This book isn’t just for kids. It’s for adults who love them, for anyone whose life has been touched by addiction or family struggle, and for professionals looking for ways to spark tough but necessary conversations. Written with honesty, compassion, and the wisdom of lived experience, “The Circle Stays Unbroken” is a testament to resilience—reminding us that healing is never linear, but always possible. If you work with children, famil...
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 Ever feel like you’re fighting through recovery, burnout, or just plain life—and nobody’s talking about what it’s really like? I am. “Progress is Progress” is the blog for people who keep going, even when it’s ugly, slow, or weirdly hilarious. Real talk. Real community. Subscribe for free and join the crew that knows a comeback is possible for everyone—including you. progressisprogress.substack.com
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BIG NEWS! 🚀 Progress is Progress has officially moved to Substack!

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 BIG NEWS! 🚀 Progress is Progress has officially moved to Substack! I’m honestly so excited to share this with you. After over a year of sharing my story, my struggles, my recovery, and the real, raw side of addiction and mental health right here, I’ve found a new home — and I want you to come with me. Why Substack? Because it lets me reach you directly, no matter who you are or where you’re at. Whether you’re in recovery, thinking about it, stuck in the cycle, supporting someone who is, working in the field, or just curious about what addiction and recovery really look like, you’ll find something here for you. Subscriptions are FREE. Free means free — for the everyday person who wants the honest truth about addiction, recovery, and mental health. Whether you’re struggling right now, you’ve tried to get help a thousand times, you’re looking for something different, or you just want a “been there, survived that” perspective from someone who’s BEEN on both sides of the desk (yes, I...
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Progress is Progress now on YouTube

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  https://www.youtube.com/@ProgressIsProgressMileOrMill Join us now on YouTube as well! 
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The Healing Power of Telling Your Truth — Expanded with Dark Humor and Heart

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Telling your truth isn’t just a Hallmark card cliché or some airy-fairy advice from a wellness guru. It’s a bold act of reclaiming yourself from the mess of addiction, trauma, and all the crap life has thrown at you. When you share your story, you’re not just spilling your guts—you’re processing, growing, and healing on a level that’s both terrifying and transformative. But let’s get real: it’s not always a neat, feel-good moment where you stand on a mountaintop and shout your truth to the world like a superhero. Sometimes, sharing your story feels like handing over your soul to a room full of strangers who might just judge you or run for the exit. It’s messy, it’s raw, and you’ve got to be ready for it. If you’re not ready, that’s okay too. Healing isn’t a sprint; it’s more like a slow, awkward dance where you sometimes step on your own feet. There are countless ways to tell your story—writing, art, music, therapy sessions, whispering it to a friend, or even yelling it into a pillow a...
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Why Mental Health Care Must Be Central to Addiction Treatment

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  Why Mental Health Care Must Be Central to Addiction Treatment Belinda Morey BS, CSAC  Clinical Substance Use Counselor - IGNTD Coach - Recovery Coach - Blogger - Editorial Advisor Board member - “doing all the things” August 27, 2025 Addiction is too often misunderstood as a problem of willpower or moral failing. Clinical experience and extensive research tell us it’s far more complex—deeply intertwined with trauma, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions. Trauma alters brain regions critical for emotional regulation and decision-making, increasing vulnerability to addiction and complicating recovery. Studies show trauma-informed care reduces relapse and improves engagement by creating safe, supportive environments that foster healing ( Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023 ). Yet, despite this evidence, many addiction treatment programs still treat mental health as an afterthought. Detox and abstinence alone do not address the root ...
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