FreeOwl

HI.



You're not an idiot.

You're not a worthless piece of ****.

You're not a failure.

I've been there, though. I know. I've said all of those things. Repeatedly. So many times. I really believed it for a while.

So, if you read this - then you're there again. Or maybe it just hit close enough to home that you felt like seeing what this was about.

In either case I want you to know something;

You're worthy.

You're loveable.

You're valuable.

You CAN.

Life IS GOOD.

Embrace sobriety.... today.... from wherever you are.....

And one day, you won't feel this way.

I promise.

Verdantia

Thank you, Owl. Sometimes I need to be reminded of the truth of this.

LastingChange

Thank you for this, Owl! I think we've all been in that dark place - that black hole of anxiety and crushing self loathing and despair.

These words will be much appreciated and hopefully will provide comfort, encouragement and a glimmer of hope to all those currently in that headspace.

Stay strong, anyone who is feeling the heavy negativity and isolation of addiction or the mocking, critical harshness of your AV. You will get through this, and we are al here to help!

SoberLeigh

Thank you, FreeOwl!!!!!!

Another fine thread

MidnightRider

Great stuff FO!

TY

MLD51

Yep - I told myself that daily for years. I even said it out loud to myself - and I really believed it. Thank goodness I don't believe it anymore.

If you are feeling that way about yourself, please know there's a way out. Quit drinking or using. Start putting your life back together. Get really honest with someone - let it all out. Go to AA if you're into that. Go to treatment if you can. Make connections - real ones - with other people in recovery (you can do that here, in person, or both). Find things in your life worth staying sober for. Eventually you'll like yourself enough that you'll want to be sober FOR YOURSELF - so that you can esteem, like, even someday LOVE YOURSELF. Think you can't? YES YOU CAN.

sweetichick

Great post.

Upstairs

Thanks FreeOwl

Magpie82

Thank you

Polaroid

Thanks, mate.

A reminder always help.

Canuckleman45

Thanks Owl. Every now and again i need a reminder.

Bunny211

Thanks Owl. I've been feeling like the biggest turd on the planet lately.

XOXO

FreeOwl

Maybe the same voice that berates and abuses us could be our greatest voice of encouragement if we'd make friends with it....

I have a voice that - even in sobriety - continues to nag at me.... "What am I gonna DO"???

I'm not even sure what it means. What do you MEAN what am I gonna DO? I'm gonna live. I'm gonna love. I'm gonna give and be....

And yet for years and years it's been there.

I'm glad it no longer attacks me as a failure or an idiot or worthless..... those days are well behind me in sobriety. Still, that voice nags at me as though there's something more I need to deepen, improve, work on.

I wonder how to become closer to the source of that voice and to an understanding of what it is that remains mis-aligned or yet to be dealt with. Is it just mild depression? Is it the ongoing sense that I've yet to truly embrace my purpose in life? Is it just part of the human condition? Is it unresolved trauma still shaking it's shadows at me?

For now I respond with things like "I'm gonna do by best". "I'm gonna live my life and be a great Dad and a good person and a sober, grateful being".

I'll ask it "what do you mean? What are you seeking? what are you trying to communicate?"..... I'll talk about it with my counselor..... and I'll keep staying sober and doing my best and not let that voice drag me down.

Silverback4

Thanks FreeOwl, very timely post for me. That last one really helped.

dizzybee

Beautiful. Thank you.

Linners820

Extremely bumpable, and thankful for whoever did.

SportsFan15

This is beautiful stuff, FreeOwl!

I'm at 5 months and I have those days where I literally want to die. I will remember this post.