An update to the previous update, found HERE.
Did I just need to pay someone to be a cheerleader in this sobriety journey? Possibly.
I honestly thought that’s what all of you were here for. This blog-style relationship has not been one-sided and the absolute best, main benefit to myself personally has been the fabulous encouragement I have received. So once again, thank you.
Likely the second best-est benefit has been honesty. Brutal and emotionally exhausting at times, but definitely listed as a positive.
Who KNEW I also just needed to pay someone to tell me “you’re doing so great!”.
Am I? Are you absolutely sure about that G? I am a bit tempted to ask for a copy of the qualifications that give her the authority to tell me that.
But perhaps she is correct. Which makes the next ridiculously shocking benefit of therapy: this mental shift is what happens when you focus on the positives of your journey instead of the demoralizing failings. Revolutionary.
Now I don’t want to give you the wrong impression and let you think I have been perfectly sober since I wrote last. That is incorrect. I have not been. But guess what, I’ve learned this miraculous new lesson that includes: grace, patience and positive reinforcement.
And if I’m truly honest, this is exactly the way I would treat my children if they were struggling with something like this. With Grace. And Patience. And all of the praise for successes, no matter how small.
I read something once, it was likely a meme, but it was words so it counts as reading. This something said something like: what if we talked to ourselves the way we would talk to our very best friends. Or my new twist: what if I talked to myself the way I would talk to my children?
Revolutionary.
Grace. Patience and Praise.
What a bloody concept.
That’s it. That’s the whole post.