Anger was an unexpected emotion after my stroke. It’s a result of fear, loss of control, frustration, exhaustion, and daily pain. Anger is the wrap around the primary emotion at its core. Underneath it is grief, fear, and the uncertainty of living in a body and mind that don’t behave the way they used to.

Anger is a choice, even though it feels very much like I’m a victim when I feel it. Even when I don’t act on it, holding onto it affects my attitude and pulls me away from “sober” thinking. Relief comes faster when I pause, breathe, cry, share, and accept what I can’t change.

Yes, I cry when I’m angry, and I know I’m not unique in that.

And when I feel distant from serenity, I try to remember that I’m the one who moved, not God. Choosing hope is always part of recovery, but man, it’s hard some days.

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

#StrokeRecovery #SoberThinking #MentalHealthRecovery #ChronicPain #ChoosingHope

The same tools that keep me sober help me thrive post-stroke despite chronic pain. I heard some meaningful slogans over the past 24 hours that help me:

“Does this thought or action bring me closer to or further away from a drink.” I replace drink with God, pain, relief, or anything that moves me in the right direction.

“When I approach a decision do I walk through the door first or do I hold the door for God and let him enter before me?” Consider whether I am consistently and constantly connected to my higher power in daily life.

“The only thing between me and a drink is God.” Again, I can replace drink with pain because often my pain can be minimized by doing the next right thing, which I innately know when I am staying in the present.

To hear more great one-liners that have inspired me in recovery listen to this episode. 🎧

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

#StrokeRecovery #SobrietyJourney #ChronicPainLife #MentalHealthRecovery #OneDayAtATime

I believe and doubt as much as I need to. My living amends to myself is choosing today what makes tomorrow’s me happier and healthier, gently leading the fearful parts of me when they don’t want to show up.

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

#RecoveryJourney #EmotionalSobriety #MentalHealthAwareness #LivingAmends #PersonalGrowth