Celebrating 12 Years!

Twelve years! It’s been 12 years since I began my journey of self-discovery, codependent recovery and emotional healing and it has been amazing! I’ve learned and changed so much in the past 12 years and I am truly amazed at who I am today. If I met myself on the street today, I’d really like me. Hahaha…

Does that mean my life is perfect? No. Does it mean everything comes easy now? No. Does it mean I am no longer codependent or a people pleaser? No. Does it mean I always get it right now? NO!

Recovery is a process; a day-to-day challenge to do things differently. There are days that are just so easy-peasy to get through and there are days when it’s a bit of a struggle. If I fall, I get back up, dust myself off, and get right back on that blasted horse. That is the true process of recovery. Every day, every moment.

So today I would like to celebrate and invite you to participate in my virtual celebration! If you would like to celebrate with me, leave a comment below with the following:

  • If you are on a journey of healing and recovery of any kind, please share what it is and how long you have been on this journey, if you feel comfortable to do so.
  • An encouraging comment or quote for others.
  • Something that you are truly grateful for and, if you’re up to it, why.
  • If you have some kind of “tool” to help you through the tough days, please share.
  • Anything else you would like to share!

I did not walk this journey alone. I had so many people walk along side of me but I had to allow them to do so. I had to put my pride aside and accept their love, encouragement and support. I had to open my eyes, ears and heart to do that. I am truly grateful for those who traveled with me on this journey and I am honored to be a part of yours!!!

Let’s get this party started!!!

41 thoughts on “Celebrating 12 Years!”

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  4. I think my journey to recovery began in August 2011 when I first learned about narcissistic mothers and their relationship with their daughters.

    My biggest encouragement and support on my journey has been resting on the truth of God’s total and complete sovereignty over my life and working it all out for my good.

    I also have found strength and support from hearing other people’s process of recovery.

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  7. Congratulations, Terri! It really is a process.
    My journey took off around 1987 when I started learning about and roles children take on in dysfunctional families through job related workshops and that I was a hero/lost child combo.
    A therapist encouraged me: Include yourself in your circle of compassion and Jeremiah 29:11 told me that God had a plan, a good one!
    I am grateful to have learned enough for a healthy relationship, for the chance to return to my creative roots, for this beautiful, wonderful planet earth, and the ability to laugh at myself.
    Tools that help me: slow, deep breaths, focusing on the present, art, music, prayer, and nature.
    Thanks for asking! What a way to celebrate! Now, it’s your turn!

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    1. Ah JoAnna, it’s been a journey hasn’t it? Jeremiah 29:11, the serenity prayer, reminding myself daily to stay on my side of the street and to get off the dance floor, are tools that help me to remain in this beautiful life I have today. Thank you!!

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  8. I have followed you blog for awhile now. Confratualtions Terry!! God is amazingly gracious to His. My journey started in July 2013, when I was separated from my kids per my narricist ex husband. I did not see them agai for 2 years. Hardest 2 years of my life. A month after the falling out of my life I gave everything back over to God and got sober. Realizing I was masking hurt with alcohol. My marriage was a farse for so long. The marriage vows were broken numerous times by him. He told my kids I abandoned them, and did not love them when he made me leave, and I was not strong enough at the time to stand up to him. In the last 4 years my son has now left Florida to be in Washington State with me. He could not tolerate his dad and the manipulative abusive control. So now we just pray my daughter comes around. She is still very much under his thumb. She can’t see straight. She took out a lease and got him into an apt in her name. She called me crying because his car was repsossed, and he could not pay his rent. He does not care who he hurts, or how he effects the lives of his family. I just keep giving it all to God knowing my healing as been ten fold, I am seeing my son heal and succeed. I know God will turn a tragedy into a victory.

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    1. Thank you for sharing this Lisa! I too went through a time of separation from my children. Their father was poisoning them against me and it was so very hard not to do the same. But I didn’t…I prayed. Everyday I prayed that God would show them the truth and guess what. He did. I have the most wonderfully blessed relationships with my children now! It was a long hard road but I kept my focus on God and what He would have me do. God WILL “turn a tragedy into a victory” in His time. Bless you sweet friend as you wait on Him.

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  9. We were also we codependent in every way. Married at 20. It was a circle of codependancy. My husband and I. My son and I. My husband and My daughter. I had to reinvent myself at 40. I literally had no identity outside being his wife. Everything was him. It was so unhealthy. He is an alcoholic as well. It was the hardest thing God had had me endure, but the best all in one. He is soverign, and now that I am remarried I know who I am. Without a man. With God as my ALL. I know what a healthy marriage is to look like. My son has learned how to be a man. His dad can’t hold a job, but my husband has showed him things that are learned behaviours. Praise God next month on August 6th I will write my 4 year sober post!! All Glory to Him in the highest. Wow I just wrote you a book. Thanks for all your sharing, and blessings as your journey continues!!! ❤❤❤

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  10. My Journey started about July 2016 (so not to long). I am recovering from an eating disorder, bulimia. I always keep in my mind, ” If it were easy, everyone would do it”. I keep that in mind when ever recovering gets hard, or when eating right and exercising gets annoying. To push myself to be better than my eating disorder. I am so great full for my family, husband, therapist, and Jesus Christ. They have all helped so much in my recovery. The are always here for me. I try and talk myself through the hard days as well as journal, pray, talk. 🙂

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  12. Congrats!!! I too have been on a journey since my mental breakdown in 2005.
    Each moment, day, month and year holds a lesson.
    I just keep showing up the best I can.
    My advice to anyone in recovery, is take baby steps with deep breaths and never give up! Even if you do for a day, pick yourself up and start again!
    Thanks for sharing your celebration!!
    Cheers💖

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  14. Pingback: Celebrating 12 Years! — Diary of a Recovering Codependent – Tales From A Mouthy Mermaid

  15. I am grateful for God for blessing me with my daughter, my mom and after 4 decades, the first real love of my life. I am also trying to live life simpler and just be thankful and mindful for the little things. Congrats on your journey!!

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    1. Thank you Dee! Keeping a grateful heart is key to happiness! And yes, as they say, “Keep It Simple Silly” has de-stressed so much of my life. No need to complicate life any more than it already is!

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  16. Congratulations Terri!
    That’s a long time.
    Today I celebrate 7 years 2 months and 30 days clean from drugs and alcohol!
    I’m just like you, I don’t even recognize the new me sometimes.
    Being in recovery have given me the opportunity to be who God intended me to be.
    I have seen my recovery reach new heights when I started dealing with my codependency.
    I love your blog too it’s a big part of my recovery.

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  17. This is fantastic !! Well done. Twelve years is incredible!!
    You’re such an inspiration to myself and many more ! Thank you x

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