I still have bad days. But thats okay. I used to have bad years. --Anonymous
Sometimes, the old feelings creep back in. We may feel fearful, ashamed, and hopeless. We may feel not good enough, unlovable, victimized, helpless, and resentful about it all. This is a condition some describe as soul sickness.
Many of us felt this way when we began recovery. Sometimes, we slip back into these feelings after weve begun recovery. Sometimes theres a reason. An event may trigger these reactions, such as ending a relationship, stress, problems on the job, at home, or in friendships. Times of change can trigger these reactions. So can physical illness.
Sometimes, these feelings return for no reason.
A return to the old feelings doesnt mean were back to square one in our recovery. They do not mean weve failed at recovery. They do not mean were in for a long, painful session of feeling badly. They just are there.
The solution is the same: practicing the basics. Some of the basics are loving and trusting our self, detachment, dealing with feelings, giving and receiving support in the recovery community, using our affirmations, and having fun.
Another basic is working the Steps. Often, working the Steps is how we become enabled and empowered to practice the other basics, such as detachment and self-love.
If the old feelings come back, know for certain there is a way out that will work.
Today, if I find myself in the dark pit, I will work a Step to help myself climb out.
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Good morning to everybody here....have a good day eh?
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Life is short..Live it sober to the fullest...One day at a time...
oh man this is such a needed share for me as of late.......
with this f.o.o. work, they are with me...but i am doing the "old stuff" and so i expected it.....things triggering me, making me feel the old "helpless" crap......but lately i have seen the program in action....i am getting more habitized with "doing my part" and surrendering to my HP.....REALLY detaching......i do believe that i am a "lifer" here....the old patterns can creep back if i don't stay with the program and stay "workin on/ taking care of" ME.........life does not exempt me from the BS of things, just becuz i am a 12stepper.....it just doesn't work that way...so here i am working to learn new coping skills that WORK, rather than drive me FURTHER in the "squirrel cage"......i allow the feelings...i even EMBRACE them now, cuz i know i don't have to act on them and they don't define the "i am" of me.....they are just feelings i need to discharge so they don't "deal with me" in some negative way....
i don't think i am at square one at ALL......i am progressing, i know it....i also know that this f.o.o. pain work, will go away....it too shall pass...and i WILL see the promises......i PRACTICE the program in each area of my life.......loving/caring for me---"showing up for duty" and than trusting my HP with the outcome....DETACHMENT...and SURRENDER are new found friends of mine now....."surrender" is not any more synonimous with being defeated and helpless..in fact i am GRATEFUL i have my HP i can surrender the BS to.......posting on the boards, going to meets, fac2fac or on line...reaching out to my sponser......it all helps....and the good ole STEPS....i am workin the heck out of them lately.........there is a way out of the pit.....its the program/ my HP/ and my honesty and openess and willingness to change ME...............
, I have been in limbo land for the past 5 years. depressed because I dropped the chance to go to uni for a girl who ended up being unfaithful, I met a new girl a year later who i am with today. I had been wishing I went to uni for half a decade! scary, I do not remember the time going, but I was porbably only awake for a little bit of it as I am a drunk/
well anyway. I had a big arguement with my partner which is not like me, its just that, I got into UNI today. and all my partner could think about is her own issues, I have put my life on hold for the past 5 years and said yes to every command she has made. this is (apart from coming to aa) the only thing that I have that looks promising.
I have been so depressed about the unmanagibility of the whole work situation, I hate my job, well going back to uni will give me focus, plus I can then stabalise my depression.
I think perhaps my g/f is mad because this puts off her plans for the next 3 years. but I do not ask much and I want no money from her either, I will still pay 50% bills etc.
really upset about this, was meant to be a nice evening, I cleaned the entire house from top to bottom and still I cant win.
