I remember staring at my reflection in the bathroom mirror during my early recovery, asking myself, “Who am I without drugs?” The face looking back at me felt like a stranger’s. 

Maybe you know that feeling – that uncomfortable sensation of being in your own skin but somehow not recognizing yourself anymore.

The truth is, when I first got clean, I was just surviving.

 I was existing in this strange new world of sobriety, carrying the weight of a five-year abusive relationship on my shoulders, parents who had reached their breaking point with my addiction, and a complete absence of real friendships.

 Loneliness wasn’t just an emotion – it was my constant companion.

But here’s what I discovered: survival mode doesn’t have to be your permanent address in recovery.

The Journey Begins with Small Steps

My transformation didn’t start with some grand gesture or life-changing moment. It began with tiny acts of self-care – sometimes just for a couple of minutes a day. These small moments became my lifeline, my way of saying to myself, “Hey, you matter.”

At first, it felt strange – almost selfish – to focus on myself. After years of numbing my feelings and neglecting my needs, the idea of self-care seemed foreign, maybe even undeserved.

 Sound familiar? I hear this from so many women in early recovery: this belief that we somehow don’t deserve to take care of ourselves, that putting ourselves first is selfish, that we should be “productive” instead of restful.

The Reality Check

Here’s what nobody tells you about early recovery: it’s not just about staying clean. It’s about rediscovering who you are without substances.

 It’s about learning to sit with uncomfortable emotions without reaching for something to numb them. It’s about rebuilding trust – not just with others, but with yourself.

Through my own journey with self-care, I started uncovering parts of myself I never knew existed (or had forgotten about). Turns out, I’m funny. I’m lovable. 

I’m a smart-ass with a quick wit. I’m friendly, even though meeting new people made me nervous at first. Each small act of self-care peeled back another layer, revealing more of who I really am.

The Power of Community

One of the most beautiful discoveries in my recovery was finding friends who loved me until I could love myself.

 They showed me what healthy relationships look like – relationships based on respect, authenticity, and mutual support. They helped me understand that I was worthy of connection, worthy of friendship, worthy of love.

The Transformation

Self-care in recovery isn’t about bubble baths and face masks (though those can be nice!). It’s about:

• Learning to listen to your body and honor its needs
• Setting boundaries without feeling guilty
• Making peace with your emotions instead of running from them
• Building a relationship with yourself based on compassion, not criticism
• Creating daily practices that support your healing and growth

The Truth About Self-Care in Recovery

If you’re reading this and thinking, “I don’t have time for self-care,” or “I don’t deserve it,” or “I wouldn’t even know where to start,” I want you to know something: I felt exactly the same way. But here’s what I’ve learned – self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s essential for sustainable recovery. It’s not selfish; it’s survival. And you absolutely deserve it.

Looking Forward

My recovery journey has taught me that transformation happens one small choice at a time. It’s in the moments when you choose to be gentle with yourself instead of harsh. When you decide to rest instead of push through. 

When you dare to believe that maybe, just maybe, you’re worthy of good things.

This understanding – this deep, personal knowledge of how self-care can transform recovery – is why I’m so excited about what’s coming next.

 I’ve taken everything I’ve learned about self-care in recovery, all the tools and practices that helped me move from merely surviving to truly thriving, and created something special for women just like you.

Stay tuned

I’ll be launching a 6-week program designed specifically for women in early recovery who are ready to discover who they are beyond their addiction. 

It’s everything I wish I had when I was starting out: manageable weekly lessons, practical self-care activities, group support, and a community of women who get it because they’re walking the same path.

Remember: Your recovery journey is unique to you, but you don’t have to walk it alone. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is learn to take care of ourselves, one small step at a time.