Happy New Year’s Day! Another year has ended, and what a year it has been for many of you. No matter what your circumstances are, whether you are still tapering off your medication or holding at the moment, or you are in acute, post-acute or protracted withdrawal/ABIND, whether you feel stuck because you expected the symptoms/signs of healing to be gone by now and they remain very intense, remember to congratulate yourself for having survived this very challenging year, for coping, and for finding the strength to persevere.
As you reflect, consider how well you’ve managed, of the friendships you’ve made, of the people who supported you, that despite everything all your needs were fulfilled, and that you had enough food, shelter, clothing, and warmth to get by.
Also think of the things that don’t serve you well, that you want to let go of: it may spaces or people who thrive on drama and negativity and drain your energy, a harmful habit, the need to be in control, resisting the process, over-analysing and comparing… anything that comes to mind that has a negative impact on your life. You can choose to close those doors, knowing that in doing so you will be creating space to welcome an abundance of good into your life this year.
Please do not underestimate the power of acceptance, mindfulness, self-compassion and the practice of neuroplasticity and other exercises. These are excellent tools to use as you continue to navigate your way through the days, while your healing continues to unfold. See if you can increase the time you spend on these approaches. Without them, the road is rockier.
I am sorry that last year was such a challenging one for many of you. As you know, what you’ve been going through is all a part of the healing process that is leading you back to good health. Some things we have no control over, and this is one of them. This is why your approach is so important. Do your best to accept and allow the healing to continue to unfold as it is doing now, all the while trusting that the outcome will be your recovery and the beginning of a new, wonderful life chapter.
With much compassion,
