One of the most important things that addicts need to do immediately once we decide that we are all-in with recovery is to replace our habits with different habits.
Better habits.
Healthier habits.
We need to fill our time with something different than what we were filling it with.
The time in which we were looking at pornography or gaming or drinking or smoking or shopping - whatever it is that we are addicted to - now needs to be replaced with something else.
We are basically replacing one addiction with another.
And that seemed very counter-productive to me.
So, picture this...
I'm a runner.
(see previous posts. I don't actually sprint, People)
When I feel, I run.
To men. Not good men. Bad men. Men who don't give a rats ass about me. (let's be real here)
Rather than running to men, I have had to replace my time with something else.
Working out. (not doing much of that at the moment)
Yoga
Meditation
Baking
Coloring
Sitting in the dang sun because I love me some Vitamin D or K or whatever it is.
Baseball and football
Binge watching police shows with Colton (for real)
Volunteering at the hospital
In the midst of replacing my addiction with other activities, I am also learning to feel.
All the feels.
And what to do with it.
How to do with it what I need to do with it.
And then do it.
Got it?!
But the new activities help me to do that.
Working out helps me to get energy out, keep my body strong and keep my brain connected to my body. It is great for confidence. It is great for everything. And I can't wait to get back!
Yoga and meditation are SO good for my brain and my body. They force me to feel and to think, then to reconnect.
Baking is just good for my soul. It is immediate satisfaction as well. (unlike exercise) I bake it and it is amazing right away. It smells good. It tastes good.
Coloring - focusing my brain on something that is positive.
SO, yes.
Yes, we do replace addictions with addictions - just make sure they are the good kind of addictions.
I feel like I should leave a footnote here that I'm still medicated so if this post made no sense, carry on.
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