Releasing the Need for Approval: Reflect on moments where you’ve let go of external validation. My Ongoing Battle with People-Pleasing Rehab There was a time when a side-eye from a stranger could send me into an existential crisis. Did I say something wrong? Did I wear the wrong shoes? Am I radiating "bad person" energy?... Continue Reading →
When you step into the rooms of recovery—any kind of recovery—you’ll quickly notice that they’re filled with sayings, little nuggets of wisdom often referred to as “tools.” These tools serve as gentle (and sometimes not-so-gentle) nudges to keep us on track or help us find our way back when we’ve wandered off course. One of... Continue Reading →
There are days when the struggle is real. I just want to state, for the record, that for as much as I’ve learned over these many years in recovery and for as far as I’ve come, there are still days I struggle. I would love you to think I have it all together and that... Continue Reading →
Did you hear it? It was so quiet one would scarcely notice. The "swoosh" of the backslide. My backslide. Not even I heard it. I was just there. I missed all the warning signs that I'm sure were posted all along the way. Do you know why? I missed them because I was too damn... Continue Reading →
Your hardest fight I'm going to start off with an apology to you all... I am so sorry I haven't been faithful to this challenge or this blog lately. I will try to do better but I make no promises because it is so hard for me to write when I'm just not feeling it.... Continue Reading →
The sweetest dream you had last night As you can tell, I haven't quite kept up with this challenge the way I had hoped to, although I will finish. I had surgery on my foot last week and well, living with a cast is a nightmare in itself. Because of the painkillers, I haven't had... Continue Reading →
The one you kissed on New Year’s Eve. Well, let's be honest...I kissed them all on New Year's Eve. Right? Who hasn't kissed their significant other on this special night? However, I will tell you about the one that relates to my codependency. If I'm not mistaken, it was New Year's Eve 1989 (I could... Continue Reading →
The boy you swore you’d never leave Ah yes, the boy I swore I'd never leave...that was 43 years ago! I met D when I was 9 years old. He was my first "love". What an innocent time! I lived in Texas and he lived down the road from my best friend. I was always... Continue Reading →
The angriest letter you never sent I have only written two angry letters in my life that I can recall. One was written just a few years ago on this blog. Technically, it was "never sent" but it was posted as an Open Letter to a Puke. I don't know that this person ever saw it... Continue Reading →
The longest night you ever spent Being the people-pleasing, under achieving, no self-esteeming, flaming codependent that I was, I have countless long nights in my history. Each one of them brought on by my own poor choices and devastating consequences. However, since I am to write about the "longest night", I will write about the... Continue Reading →
The biggest lie you ever told Well it just sucks that this is the topic for the very first day. No warming up, no easing into it, just straight to the point from the get go. So I had to ponder about this one... a lot. I could tell you about the time I lied... Continue Reading →
This is a wonderfully written review of the book, Conquering Shame and Codependency, by blogger Melody Daggerhart of Bad Cat Ink. Book: Conquering Shame and Codependency Series: Author: Darlene Lancer Genres: non-fiction, self-help, psychology, codependency Synopsis (from Amazon book page): A nationally recognized author, speaker and codependency expert examines the roots of shame and its connection with... Continue Reading →
Journey On Strong 