Let’s face it, the last few weeks have been tough on so many of us. So I think we could all use some positivity wherever and whenever we can get, which is why today I want to talk about recovery.
As an initial thought, I want to point out that recovery from mental illness does not look like it does when you recover from a broken bone or a common cold. Recovery from mental illness is a long-term process, a process that involves learning to manage your mental illness instead of fully recovering.
Recovery can include bad days, days when you can’t get out of bed, can’t shower, although I’m not sure how many of us are showering regularly these days anyway. Recovery means accepting that those days are going to happen. Acceptance is a process that allows you to move forward and live your days more fully.
Recovery also means learning self-care routines. It means learning how to take care of your body and mind. Proper nutrition and exercise is another important part of recovery, as is mindfulness.
Yet for me, one of the most helpful parts of recovery has been re-finding a place of acceptance. For me, I found that in church, but there are many places you can find it. Sports teams, book clubs, game nights, there really is no limit. And I can assure you that these groups are important for recovery as well.
Bolstering this recovery has been my regular therapy sessions and my medication. All of these pieces have made me far better at managing my mental illness, and they can for you too. This is the last point I want to make, which is that recovery involves many approaches, it isn’t just one.
And I hope this offers hope for all of you that recovery and life with mental illness is possible. Because like I said, right now we all need some good news and hope.
Until next time, be well, and thanks for reading.
The Dark Tales Project 