Staying Stuck Sucks

Stepping into the Unknown: Because Let's Face It, Staying Stuck Sucks

I'm diving headfirst into the deep end – and honestly, it's a bit terrifying. After years of being all about my own little family universe, I'm now teaming up with a total rockstar in my field to create stuff for teenagers. Like, actual adolescents. Not just the tiny humans I've been practicing on at home. This is new turf, folks, and my inner monologue is basically just a highlight reel of worst-case scenarios and crippling self-doubt.

Newsflash: trying new things is basically just asking to be uncomfortable. It's like voluntarily signing up for a crash course in anxiety, with a side of imposter syndrome. Our brains are total jerks about this stuff, flooding us with questions we can't answer and fears we can't shake. It's way easier to just stick with what we know, even if what we know is a whole lot of meh.

But here's the catch: "meh" is basically just a one-way ticket to Nowheresville. And let's be real, who wants to live in Nowheresville? If you're anything like me – someone who's wrestled with their own demons, whether that's depression, anxiety, or a few too many rounds with substance abuse – you already know that staying stuck is basically just a recipe for disaster. When we stop challenging ourselves, when we quit pushing past those comfy little boundaries, that's when the real trouble starts.

Recovery, whether it's from mental health struggles or addiction or just plain old being a hot mess, is all about growth. It's about learning to rewire our brains, to find new ways of coping, to become someone who doesn't just survive but actually thrives. And that doesn't happen by playing it safe. That happens by taking leaps, even when those leaps feel like a straight-up free fall.

So, why put ourselves through this? A few reasons:

• Growth Mindset: Think of trying new things like weightlifting for your brain. The more you challenge yourself, the stronger you get. And that strength is what'll carry you through when things get tough (and let's face it, they will get tough).
• Confidence Boost: There's no quite like the high of mastering something new. It's like a shot of pure "I've got this" straight into your veins. And when you're struggling, that's exactly what you need.
• Shake Things Up: When we do the same old things the same old way, we get stuck in a rut. New experiences are like hitting the reset button – they help us find fresh perspectives and new ways of tackling problems.
• Become the Boss of You: The more you push past your comfort zone, the more you realize you're way more capable than you thought. That's some powerful stuff when you're fighting to take control back from your demons.

Now, I'm not gonna lie – this isn't always easy. Or fun. There will be face-plants. There will be "what the hell was I thinking?" moments. But here's the thing: those moments are temporary. The growth, the confidence, the sense of self – that's what sticks.

As I gear up for this whole new adventure with actual teenagers, I'm reminding myself of that. It's okay to be scared. It's okay to stumble. The only way to fail is to quit showing up. And let's be real, quitting's just not an option. Not anymore.

So, who's with me? Is there something you've been putting off, a challenge you've been eyeing, a leap you've been too afraid to take? Now's your moment. The worst that happens is you fall, get back up, and try again. The best that happens is you discover you're way stronger than you ever thought possible.

Here's to the unknown, to the uncomfortable, and to the incredible growth waiting just beyond our comfort zones. Bring. It. On.-Belle- 

Sabotage: The Sneakiest Little Bastard in Your Recover

Hey there, fellow travelers on the bumpy road to recovery. Let's talk about something that might just be the most annoying, frustrating, and baffling part of this whole journey: self-sabotage.

You know the drill. Things are going great. You've got your sobriety streak going, you're feeling good, physically and mentally...and then BAM! Out of nowhere, you find yourself scrolling through liquor store delivery apps or driving past your old dealer's spot. What the hell, brain?!

Self-sabotage: it's like that one friend who always cancels plans at the last minute, but instead of just being flaky, they're actively trying to derail your entire life.

So, why do we do this? Well, buckle up, because things are about to get real deep, real fast. Essentially, self-sabotage is the ultimate expression of fear. Fear of change, fear of success, fear of actually getting what we say we want.

Think about it: addiction is a familiar hell. It's scary and damaging, but it's what we know. Recovery, on the other hand, is unknown territory. It's the promise of a better life, but with that comes expectations...of ourselves and others. It's the threat of actually having to deal with our emotions, instead of just numbing them.

Self-sabotage is our way of putting the brakes on this whole terrifying process. It's our subconscious screaming, "Abandon ship! Get back to what you know, even if what you know is terrible!"

But here's the kicker: self-sabotage isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's the little things. Procrastinating on getting to a meeting, isolating when you know you should reach out for support, or "forgetting" to take your medication. It's all sabotage, my friends.

So, how do we stop screwing ourselves over? Well, the first step is acknowledging it. When you catch yourself mid-sabotage, just pause. Recognize what's happening and tell yourself, "Ah, okay. My brain's being a little shit again."

Next, get to the root of it. What are you really afraid of? Is it success? Is it failure? Is it the idea of actually being happy? Once you can identify the fear, you can start tackling it.

Mindfulness is key here. Mindfulness is like the annoyingly healthy friend who always suggests a run when you want to hit the pub. It's a pain, but it keeps you on track. Practice recognizing your thoughts and emotions without judgment. When you feel the urge to sabotage, don't fight it...just observe it, like a curious scientist studying a particularly frustrating specimen.

And for the love of all things good, stop being so hard on yourself! You're going to screw up. It's part of the deal. Don't make things worse by piling on self-loathing. Instead, learn to laugh at your own ridiculousness. I mean, come on...we're the only species that actively works against its own best interests. That's kind of funny, in a sad way.

Recovery is a messy, imperfect thing. It's two steps forward, one step back, and sometimes it's one step forward, two steps back. But the important thing is that we keep moving. We keep acknowledging the sabotage, digging into the fears behind it, and practicing a little more self-compassion.

So, let's make a pact to stop being our own worst enemies. Let's get curious about our fears, instead of letting them control us. And when all else fails, let's just laugh at the absurdity of it all. Because at the end of the day, the only way to win against self-sabotage is to survive it, one frustrating little setback at a time.

Keep moving, folks. It's worth it, even when it doesn't feel like it.-Belle-