2020 was emotionally exhausting for many of us, including all of the staff here at Port 45 Recovery. But the new year gives us motivation to start anew! As I reflect on the last year I am reminded of a simple principle taught to me in recovery. “A grateful addict never relapses.”
I have learned over the last few years that my reality is typically about my perception. I can choose to pick apart the last year and stay in a negative state of mind or I can find gratitude for what this experience has given me. I have found that I have to work harder for personal connections during this pandemic and quarantine. I think I took for granted the relationships that I had with my family, friends, and co-workers.
Working from home and social distancing has reminded me how these connections are important to my mental health and that I need to nurture these relationships with whatever resources that I have available to me. Social media has become an important tool that I have learned to use as a way to stay connected.
With the closing of many restaurants, stores, and other businesses I have found that I am spending more time having family dinners. I have more time to cook a meal with my children and they are gaining that skill of being able to cook as well. I think I did not realize how much we were eating take-out until it became less of an option. I now spend an hour each day sitting with my children and enjoying their company (with no electronics as a rule for my home.)
This last year may not have been ideal and I like everyone else hopes that we will be able to return to normal in the upcoming year, but I still have gratitude for the experience. This week I have 9 years and 6 months clean and that was made possible by the spiritual principle of gratitude. Best wishes for the upcoming year and if no one has told you that they love you today, I do!
Until next time! Kathy
About Port 45 Recovery:
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