Recovery: Where to Find Your Tribe (and Why It's a Real Pain to Talk About Sometimes) Let's get real – recovery is awesome, but it can also be super isolating. There's a reason they say "your using friends won't understand your recovery goals." Those buddies from back in the day might not get why you're suddenly obsessed with kale smoothies and 6am spin class. (Side note: I'm obsessed with neither of those things. I just like a good stereotype.) But seriously, finding your people in recovery is like finding the holy grail. It's like finally understanding a language everyone else has been speaking for years. And lucky for us, there's about a million ways to connect with fellow travelers on this wild sobriety journey. The OG: Meetings AA, NA, CA, DA... the alphabet soup of 12-step programs is still going strong. And for good reason! There's magic in a room full of people who just get it . The camaraderie, the shared war stories, the free (u...

  The Crazy Walk of Early Recovery: Finding Balance Without Losing Your Mind Early recovery is a whirlwind. It's like being dropped into the middle of a tornado and expected to build a sturdy house. There's the physical detox, the emotional rollercoaster, and the daunting task of rebuilding a life. It's no wonder that stress and overwhelm are constant companions for many of us in the early days. And yet, boredom is a threat too. We've all heard the saying, "Idle hands are the devil's playground." Too much downtime can lead to rumination, anxiety, and a greater risk of relapse. So how do we strike a balance? How do we keep ourselves occupied without taking on so much that we end up face-planting into a heap of stress and resentment? Enter the power of routine. The Pros of Routine Routine gets a bad rap. It sounds boring, restrictive, the enemy of spontaneity and fun. But in early recovery, a well-crafted routine can be a lifesaver. Research shows that havin...

  Summer Lovin', Had Me a Blast...Or Did I? Navigating Recovery in the Warmest Season Ah, summer. The season of sun, fun, and a whole lot of temptations for those in recovery. While the warmer months can bring a carefree vibe that's awesome for sobriety, they also come with their own set of challenges. Let's dive in and explore the highs and lows of summer recovery, all while keeping things light and funny because, let's face it, laughter is the best medicine (after sobriety, of course)! Pros: Vitamin D is my love language. Natural sunlight boosts those feel-good endorphins, which can help combat seasonal depression and anxiety that might trigger cravings. Just don't forget that SPF - lobster mode isn't cute on anyone. Outdoor activities for days. Hiking, swimming, outdoor yoga...there are a ton of healthy ways to get those endorphins pumping without turning to substances. You might just find your inner zen master or realize you're really bad at stand-up p...