Week 2 – What Recovery Means to Me Now

January 2025: Reflecting on the Journey – What Recovery Means to Me Now

Recovery—a word that used to mean “fixed” or “done” to me—has taken on a whole new meaning over the years. When I first started this journey, I thought recovery was a destination, a finish line I could cross where everything would be perfect, and life would magically fall into place. But life has a way of teaching us differently, doesn’t it? Now I see recovery as an ongoing, ever-changing process of learning, growing, and discovering who I am.

The Early Days: Thinking Recovery Meant Being “Cured”

At the beginning, I thought recovery was all about fixing what was wrong. It felt like a task I could complete if I just worked hard enough or followed the right advice. No matter the situation or problem, I wanted to power through to the other side as quickly as possible.

This mindset wasn’t all bad—it gave me motivation and a sense of direction. But it also made every setback feel like a complete failure. If I wasn’t moving forward, it felt like I was losing all the progress I’d made.

Broadening My Perspective: Recovery as a Journey

It took time, and plenty of ups and downs, to realize that recovery isn’t a straight path. It’s more like a winding road with peaks and valleys, moments of clarity, and times of struggle. The journey isn’t just about “getting better”—it’s about learning to handle life’s challenges in ways that work for me.

This shift in perspective didn’t happen overnight. I learned it from lived experiences and from listening to others who shared their stories. Resources like Journey On Strong, my personal blog, were especially helpful. Originally called “The Diary of a Recovering Codependent,” I renamed it “Journey On Strong” to reflect my hope of encouraging others on their own healing and recovery journeys. Sharing my thoughts and experiences there has not only helped me process my journey but also connected me with a community of people who understand the ups and downs of recovery.

What Recovery Means to Me Now

These days, recovery feels like a deeply personal and ever-evolving process. It’s no longer about trying to be perfect or expecting life to be free from struggles. For me, it’s about:

• Self-awareness: Getting to know my triggers, strengths, and needs.
• Connection: Building relationships with people who support and uplift me.
• Acceptance: Being okay with not being okay all the time.
• Growth: Always striving to become the best version of myself.

Recovery touches every part of my life—how I handle stress, how I nurture joy, and how I show up for myself every single day. It’s about knowing that even the smallest steps forward matter.

Sharing the Journey

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that recovery thrives in community. Sharing my story and hearing others share theirs has brought me so much strength and a sense of connection. My hope is that you find Journey On Strong a wonderful resource for finding inspiration, tools, and support from people who understand.

If you’re on your own recovery journey, I hope you know that it’s okay for your understanding of recovery to change over time. Be kind to yourself. Celebrate your progress. Keep moving forward, even when it’s tough. Recovery isn’t about reaching a final destination—it’s about becoming the person you’re meant to be along the way.

Join me on this blogging challenge. Visit the page and download the PDF. I would love to read your story! 

• Week 1 – Blogging Challenge for Codependency Recovery:
  • What is Codependency to Me?: Reflect on your understanding of codependency and how it has affected your life.
• Week 1 – Blogging Challenge for Advanced Codependency Recovery: 
  • What Recovery Means to Me Now: How has your understanding of recovery evolved over the years?

#CodependencyChallenge2025