What to Do When You Don't Feel Good
Sober life is great, but it's still life and sometimes stuff gets real! We all deal with beautiful periods of life where everything feels like it's flowing and going along in our favor. We may have some challenging days sprinkled throughout but overall the world is ours for the taking.
Other times we have periods in life where things don't feel like they're flowing at all and it feels like the weight of the world is on our shoulders. We can experience things like grief and loss, a chronic illness, depression, etc.
When this happens we don't drink or let life spin us around, it's instead an opportunity to take positive action to feel better and strengthen our spiritual practice!
Here are some things I practice when things get real:
1. Look for the good.
As you take time to properly process your emotions during this period, also make sure to look for the good every day. Maybe it's your child's laughter or the flowers in your front yard. It could be as simple as sunshine streaming in through your windows.
2. Strengthen that spiritual practice.
Now is the time to tighten up that daily commitment. Commit to a regular practice for 90 days, but keep it simple so that you stick to it. In other words, don't try to do all the things at once - pick 1-2 things to do consistently for that period of time.
3. Talk to a friend.
Ya know like, for real, talk to them! Pick up the phone or get together in person with a friend and let them know what's going on in your world. Sometimes talking about what's going on with someone else we trust can cut something so big down into a much easier-to-process form.
4. Support yourself with healthy food choices and move your body in ways that feel good to you.
What we eat and drink affects how we feel. Try to make the best choices possible to help stabilize your mood.
5. Get further help if you need it.
Speak to a therapist, go to a healer, go see your doctor, etc. Do whatever it is that you need to show yourself the most support for the situation.
6. Remember this too shall pass.
It's been repeated countless times for good reason, it's true. This state isn't permanent, good things are on their way.