In early sobriety, I spent a lot of time wishing I could be like everyone else and have a glass of wine at dinner without ending up in a downward spiral. I wanted to be able to relax the way other people did. But I’ve learned over these nine years that the relaxation I envied wasn’t healthy for me. My relaxation today is deeper because I can decide to let go at any time without tucking all my problems into my “dark place” only to see them again in the morning bigger and more terrifying.

That same mindset shift is happening in stroke recovery. I still wish my vision worked like everyone else’s to do all the things I want to do. I do have moments of jealousy, like knowing I can’t go biking with a friend or play volleyball at a summer picnic. But instead of staring at what is missing in my life and the space left behind, I’m filling it with new possibilities. I have new hobbies and am connecting more deeply in ways I never would have without the stroke. The abundance in my life that has filled the empty space is what I focus on. I’m not a victim of what’s happened to me or of my own thinking. I choose to see my differences as the reason my life is richer, not poorer, and I believe that over time, both in sobriety and stroke recovery, I’ll only grow more grateful to be exactly who I am.

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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

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#StrokeRecovery #LifeAfterStroke #SobrietyJourney #AlcoholFreeLiving #HealingIsntLinear #RecoveryJourney #GratitudePractice #ThrivingThroughRecovery #LivingWithHope #NoFinishLine

There is no finish line living with chronic illness. I’m learning to exist in a body that feels different from one day to the next. People typically say, “Hope you feel better soon,” as if there’s a shortcut back to the person I once was. I suppose it’s hard to know what to say to a stroke survivor.

Full recovery is deeply personal and constantly evolving. Some days, the progress is in small victories, like getting up, attending a meeting, or taking a walk. Other days simply require acceptance that symptoms are flaring and rest. This sometimes feels like regression, but it’s the nature of a dynamic, unpredictable condition.

Like sobriety, stroke recovery doesn’t end when a milestone is reached. There’s no “You’ve made it” moment. We can give ourselves checkpoints while learning to navigate life differently. Stress, life changes, and even joyful events like buying a new home can trigger symptoms, but that doesn’t erase the progress made. It just means the work shifts. With a strong enough foundation through support groups, professional guidance, rest, and self-awareness, my recovery can withstand the unpredictable waves of life. Recovery is walking forward with patience, living on the path rather than reaching the destination.

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

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#StrokeRecovery #LifeAfterStroke #VestibularWarrior #SurvivorStrong #InvisibleIllness #RecoveryJourney #NoFinishLine #HealingIsntLinear #LivingWithHope #KeepGoing

Early recovery felt monotonous, both in sobriety and post-stroke. The stillness is such a contrast to the chaos of drinking and the busy life before a stroke. In those early days, the work felt like hard work. Going to meetings, calling my sponsor, reading the literature, doing my prayers, and meditating happened every day. In stroke recovery, doing vestibular therapy exercises, support groups, and taking daily naps was BORRRING. I had never practiced consistency in my life, so doing the same thing over and over felt exhausting and joyless. Every choice felt like a mountain to climb, and the payoff wasn’t immediate. But over time, that monotony turned into consistency, and consistency turned into habit. What once felt like forcing myself to work became something natural, like brushing my teeth without thinking about it.

That’s when the mental energy I spent struggling to simply work at living better was freed up for other things, like relationships, growth, and purpose. In sobriety, the drama-less life that once felt empty became purposeful. Stroke recovery is the same, yet the work still seems hard for me. The quiet routine is laying the foundation for something better. The monotony is proof I’m doing the work, and that work is what leads to stability, freedom, and joy. The same rhythm that feels repetitive is the rhythm of the life I’m fighting for. I just keep showing up until the momentum in the monotony turns to consistency, then habit, and eventually effortless joy.

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

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#earlyrecovery #sobrietytips #strokerecovery #habitbuilding #consistencyiskey #recoveryjourney #emotionalhealing #healingprocess #lifewithpurpose #mindfulrecovery