What's in this episode?
Friends! I can't believe it's basically the end of the damn year! Where did this year go? I swear, it felt like yesterday when I was looking up at the clock in Virginia at this "interesting" end of year party with one of the best friends counting down until 2019 (and no more drinking). Crazy town! So, in celebration of this new year coming to close, I wanted to talk about the top five things I learned or came to discover this year.
Let's dive on in, shall we?!
- Favorite Book: Self Compassion - Kristen Neff
- I have spoke about this book at length because it is that great. The exercises will really help you shape how you view yourself but how your sense of self impacts those in the world around you. I will always consult this book because I pick something up each time I read it.
- Favorite Album: Jimmy Lee - Raphael Saadiq
- Saadiq is a phenom and such a brilliant, insightful soul. I AM SO INTO HIM -- I don't even try to hide it but his most recent album just smacked me in my musical soul. If you are going through addiction or know someone who has suffered -- this will probably hit you in the feels somewhere. Hell, if you just love raw, honest music -- it will probably hit you too.
- Favorite Phrase: One day at a time
- This phrase is common in the recovery circles but it's such a simple, yet true phrase. You only have the one day, you can only take things one day at a damn time. It didn't really click with me until this year and is one of my mantras. It balances when I feel myself going into a spiral and not able to control everything.
- Favorite Break through: Being able to see peoples reactions from their viewpoint and not take it personally. It's their stuff not mine. In other words, holding space but with BOUNDARIES!
- Yo! Boundaries and being able to have them when I have had to deal with complex situations with people that I care about. GAME CHANGER. I think empathy gets confused with being a doormat, (don't think that it is) but my empathy has definitely grown when I was able to step outside of myself and just see the issue/problem for what it was. The good/bad on both sides. It boiled down to two people hurting or not getting their needs met. How can you not feel for that? It was nice being able to see it that way and not taking it in internally. I think it has allowed me to be more present for those closest to me.
- Favorite Thing about 2019: Recovery hands down!
- I can't believe it's coming up on a year. This year has been my most productive, my most vulnerable, my most introspective and even with all the damn tears that I shed -- the most loving and probably healthy. So happy that I made it out sober and can't wait to see what 2020 has in store for all of us.
And as always, thank you for listening to my baby podcast. It was really a labor of love for me and something that I wanted to get out there in hopes that it would resonate with someone. I can't wait to pick things up with you all in the new year! Be safe, healthy and happy out there, friends!
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