Recovery is a lifelong commitment that takes dedication and effort. Staying motivated in recovery is crucial for leading an ongoing life of sobriety. All too often, it is easy to get stuck in redundant activities that don’t bring you joy. However, staying motivated in recovery requires a positive support system, realistic goal setting, enjoyable daily routines, mental growth, a sense of purpose, accountability, and self-compassion.
This article will delve into five essential ways to stay motivated in recovery, explore reasons you may lack motivation, and discuss The Guest House’s resources to support your journey.
What Is the Importance of Staying Motivated in Recovery?
During your recovery journey, motivation is key to staying focused on your goals and bringing hope to your path. Motivation is what helps you push through trials and tribulations while focusing on recovery. A sense of motivation is more than passing emotions. It is a driving factor that helps you achieve the seemingly impossible. Motivation gives you the courage that you need to navigate through hard times.
In recovery, learning to stay motivated can be thought of as being determined to conquer your goals in recovery. This involves the desire to break free from the chains that no longer serve you. However, staying motivated in recovery is hard work and can be daunting. Life happens, and not everything is a joyous experience. It is easy to lose track of motivation when obstacles present themselves.
5 Ways to Stay Motivated in Recovery
Overcoming life’s challenges can be tough, as they may cause a sense of hopelessness. Nevertheless, by staying in a space of mindfulness, practicing self-care, and prioritizing your needs, you can cultivate resilience and continue healing. The following are five ways to keep your motivation high.
#1. Journaling Your Thoughts and Feelings
One of the most widely used coping skills for staying motivated in recovery is journaling your thoughts and feelings. When you take several minutes to acknowledge your feelings, you are accepting how things in your life have affected you. By putting pen to paper, you are creating a sacred space for emotions to fill the pages in a meaningful way.
Journaling opens you up to a world of expressing yourself through words. Furthermore, it serves as a powerful tool in recovery to cultivate self-awareness and self-reflection. No matter how you do it or what color pen or pencil you use, you can benefit from this activity. It is important to note that journaling has a profound effect on mental health and can reduce anxiety and depression.
#2. Remaining Accountable to Stay Motivated in Recovery
It has been said that connection is the opposite of addiction. Remaining accountable plays a crucial role in staying motivated in recovery. When you surround yourself with positive support, you are holding yourself accountable in ways that you probably are not aware of. Being held accountable equates to receiving encouragement, direction, and a sense of responsibility throughout recovery.
To put it another way, connection to others who understand the responsibility of recovery can create a sense of connection and decrease isolation.
#3. Connecting With a Therapist in Recovery
Individual therapy can be a powerful tool that leads to achieving your goals and staying motivated in recovery. Imagine being in a place where no matter what you say, you are met with unconditional positive regard. Wouldn’t it feel nice to be met with an open and compassionate heart? That compassionate spirit is what you’ll find at The Guest House.
At The Guest House, therapy goes further than just talking about your problems. Therapy provides you with an objective point of view that allows you to search for the answers on your own.
In addition, therapy allows you to recognize your issues and provides healthy coping skills to work through them. Therapy will teach you how to address emotional stressors and provide empowerment for your recovery journey.
#4. Being Realistic When Setting Goals
Having goals is essential for staying motivated throughout your recovery journey. By determining your goals, you can have somewhat of a map of your recovery plan. Small goals lead to big goals. Many times, when creating a recovery plan, people set goals that can seem unattainable. This can lead to a lack of desire to stay motivated in recovery.
The SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound) ensure that goals are practical and actionable. For example, a goal could be “stay sober.” A SMART goal would look like: “complete in-patient treatment before the end of the year” or “engage in an alumni program after treatment.” These goals offer clarity and encourage you to stay motivated by providing milestones.
#5. Practicing Self-Care to Stay Motivated in Recovery
Prioritizing self-care is essential in recovery. It not only feels good, but it helps you to stay motivated. Engaging in activities that stimulate wellness can be beneficial in your life. Self-care is not just about taking a shower and brushing your hair. It is about taking care of yourself at your core. That might mean taking a walk in the woods or journaling your thoughts and feelings.
Making time to put yourself first is essential for staying motivated in recovery. At The Guest House, you will always be our first priority. You can practice self-care by reaching out and making recovery your first priority.
Life happens. When it does, it can be hard to stay motivated in recovery. Understand that taking back your power is half the battle during recovery. There are several ways you can practice self-care and set goals that motivate you to be your best self. Sometimes the journey gets redundant. At The Guest House, we know this, and that’s why we are here to help. We understand and specialize in meeting you right where you are. If you or someone you know is struggling to stay motivated in recovery, please do not hesitate to call us at (855) 483-7800. You are our motivation. Let us help you find fun and effective ways to stay motivated in recovery.