This morning, I woke up feeling spiritually flat, like I had no direction. That feeling’s been lingering for a while. It feels kind of like restlessness that I haven’t been able to snap out of. But today I made some headway without planning for it. I just got up and went through my usual morning routine. Someone shared something that resonated with me in my meeting. What I heard was, “How can I be bored when there’s such a beautiful and fascinating world around me?” I realized that life can make extraordinary things ordinary when struggles shift our perspective. I can still be amazed when I look at the world through grateful lens’.

As the day unfolded, instead of forcing myself into a half-inspired activity, I let connection lead. After my meetings, I talked to my psychiatrist, had a long heart-to-heart with my mom, and checked in with my sponsor. Connection was the antidote to my spiritual malady today. Faith, for me, is reaching outside myself, trusting in the people and the world around me. Those real conversations helped my day fill itself in. I ended the day with an hour of yoga and whipping up a delightful Balti dish (Fried cilantro and almond cod, dahl, and rice). I didn’t have to plan it all out (though, let’s be honest, I nailed that dinner). Life showed up for me because I showed up for it.

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

#MentalHealth #SpiritualAwakening #HealingJourney #RecoveryIsPossible #GratitudePractice #SelfCare #EmotionalHealth #FaithOverFear #ConnectionMatters #Mindfulness #YogaLife #DailyInspiration #SoberLife #TherapyWorks #HealthyMindset

I went to the movie theater yesterday with my niece, but the accessibility headphones didn’t work. I had to sit through the film relying only on the dialogue. At first, I felt like crying. But instead of spiraling into self-pity, I shifted into gratitude for being with my niece, for a kick-ass burger, fries, and a vanilla shake, and simply for getting out of the house. When our expectations fall apart, there’s still joy to be found if we’re willing to pivot and stay grateful.

That mindset carried into my stroke and vestibular support groups. We talked about the grief of losing a highly functional life overnight and the invisible struggles of cognitive fatigue and sensory overload. In today’s episode, I shared how recognizing my early warning signs helps prevent crashing through a threshold that's hard to bounce back from. My subtle clues before a full flare-up look like this:
• Visual fogginess
• Zoning out
• Muscle tension in my neck and back to limit head movement
• Cognitive slowness and word-finding issues
• Fatigue that feels like my thoughts are wading through sand

If I stay tuned in to my body, I can make choices that protect my peace and well-being instead of push past my limits.

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 #VestibularDisorder #ChronicIllnessAwareness #SensoryOverload #CognitiveFatigue #GratitudeInRecovery #ListenToYourBody #EmotionalSobriety #RecoveryJourney #AccessibleLiving

Sometimes sobriety and support meetings can feel like a chore. They can feel repetitive and purposeless when our lives start to normalize. I can lose gratitude when life gets fuller, more joyful, and busier. I can feel torn between enjoying life and honoring the practices that got me here. This shift is a red flag, even though it’s also a sign of growth. Revisiting the notion of emotional sobriety every week invites me to look deeper. Am I still living with intention? Am I still living in honesty and humility?

When the spark of inspiration fades, service can carry the torch for our recovery. Even when I don’t feel like I need a meeting today, I know someone else might need me.

This is where practicing the principles becomes a lifestyle of getting out of self and seeing my role in the world around me. It’s in how I interact with my kids, friends, and family. My recovery fellowship doesn’t revolve around me. It revolves around us. It’s a “we program”, and if I can’t show up for me, I can show up for you. Showing up becomes less about receiving and more about being a steady presence for someone else, just like others were for us in the beginning.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

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

#EmotionalSobriety #RecoveryJourney #12StepRecovery #SoberLife #LivingThePrinciples #ShowUpAnyway #WeProgram #SobrietySupport #ServiceInRecovery #GratitudeInAction