A slump can go on for days. We feel sluggish, unfocused, and sometimes overwhelmed with feelings we can't sort out. We may not understand what is going on with us. Even our attempts to practice recovery behaviors may not appear to work. We still don't feel emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as good as we would like.
In a slump, we may find ourselves reverting instinctively to old patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, even when we know better. We may find ourselves obsessing, even when we know that what we're doing is obsessing and that it doesn't work.
We may find ourselves looking frantically for other people to make us feel better, the whole time knowing our happiness and well being does not lay with others.
We may begin taking things personally that are not our issues, and reacting in ways we've learned all to well do not work.
We're in a slump. It won't last forever. These periods are normal, even necessary. These are the days to get through. These are the days to focus on recovery behaviors, whether or not the rewards occur immediately. These are sometimes the days to let ourselves be and love ourselves as much as we can.
We don't have to be ashamed, no matter how long we've been recovering. We don't have to unreasonably expect "more" from ourselves. We don't ever have to expect ourselves to live life perfectly.
Get through the slump. It will end. Sometimes, a slump can go on for days and then, in the course of an hour, we see ourselves pull out of it and feel better. Sometimes it can last a little longer.
Practice one recovery behavior in one small area, and begin to climb uphill. Soon, the slump will disappear. We can never judge where we will be tomorrow by where we are today.
Today, I will focus on practicing one recovery behavior on one of my issues, trusting that this practice will move me forward. I will remember that acceptance, gratitude, and detachment are a good place to begin.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Thankyou, Q. I had an hour of darkness yesterday where I felt an old familiar feeling of depression. And mine has never been a clinical depression. It was an alcoholic depression which lifted 10 or so weeks after quitting drink. It's been nearly 9months now (1Day@aTime ~ which is funny given I've said nearly 9months ;) I'm obviously optimistic lol No, I mention the depressionistic thoughts because that's my alcoholism. It wants me in the gutter (I don't bloody know why cuz that's not living!!!!!) It's my thinking. This disease. It works from the inside out & it uses my defects to get there. That's my spiritual malady. I won't listen. I will listen & heed what's being told to me through the literature, my Sponsor, the meetings, my fellowship. I will not listen to my negative self~talk in these little slumps or talk my way into one. I'm will practice talking my way out of it & take others with me (or at least offer to with detachment intact ;) Thanks for your wonderful post, Carol. What an inspiration. Sharing recovery, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Very good post this is exactly the place I've been the last few days. Reading this reminded me AGAIN to be thankful for all the good things I do have and don't let the thoughts of the past get me so down. I guess I'll never be reminded enough that there are things we just have to let go of. It always good to get a reality check to help a person realize what your feeling is normal. It's what we do with the thoughts and feelings that matters. Thank you for the post. TimW
-- Edited by TimW at 15:55, 2007-06-26
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Do the right things and the right things will happen
