How Do You Define Recovery? Journaling Prompts for Addiction Recovery

50 Journal Prompts For Addiction Recovery

What if you could redefine recovery on your own terms, creating a life filled with joy and purpose, beyond just abstaining from substance use? In this enriching episode, we explore the transformative power of journaling in addiction recovery, inspired by Lestallion's “50 Journal Prompts for Addiction Recovery.” We begin with the profound question, "How do you define recovery?" and share moving stories of individuals who have embraced personal growth, reconnecting with family and finding new passions. We dive into the subtle yet significant changes that mark progress, like choosing a walk over a drink after work, and how these small shifts create a powerful momentum for positive change.

Join us as we discuss the challenges of addiction recovery, emphasizing resilience, patience, and setting meaningful goals. We highlight the importance of replacing old habits with new, fulfilling activities—whether it’s picking up a guitar, volunteering, or rediscovering childhood passions. This episode is a heartfelt reminder that recovery is a lifelong journey filled with discovery, setbacks, and the need for self-kindness. With insights from Lestallion's thoughtful prompts, we offer listeners a roadmap to navigate the complexities of recovery, encouraging them to stay committed and celebrate every victory, big or small.

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Okay, so for this deep dive we're tackling
addiction recovery, journaling,right, and we've got this
Rootsport's called 50 JournalPrompts for Addiction Recovery
Okay 50 prompts.

Speaker 2 (00:10):
Wow.

Speaker 1 (00:10):
I know right.

Speaker 2 (00:11):
That's a lot.

Speaker 1 (00:12):
It's amazing and we're really going to like dive
into excerpts from this piece byLestallion and you know, it's
not just about like fillingpages, it's about really using
it as a tool for self-discovery.

Speaker 2 (00:26):
Yeah, absolutely.
I think that's key Having thatframework for your thoughts,
that roadmap.

Speaker 1 (00:31):
Totally For growth, like having this like personal
guide on this journey, and Ilove how this article kicks off.
It starts with this sectionaddiction recovery insights and
the first prompt is how do youdefine recovery?
I love that because it's sopersonal, right off the bat.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
Right right away.
It reminds us that recovery isnot a one size fits all.
You know, it's really aboutfiguring out what it looks like
for you on your terms.
It's about owning your journey.
You know, I worked with someoneone time and you know, at the
start they defined theirrecovery as simply being able to
get through a day without usingwhich is huge.

Speaker 1 (01:07):
Yeah, it is huge.
That's incredibly powerful andhonest.

Speaker 2 (01:11):
It is and you know, and as their recovery progressed
, so did their definition.
They began to see it less aboutjust not using, but about
rebuilding their life,reconnecting with family,
finding joy in simple thingsagain.

Speaker 1 (01:24):
I'm getting chills just hearing that.
Yeah, it's amazing to see thatkind of transformation.

Speaker 2 (01:29):
It is, it's those aha moments that make this work so
rewarding.

Speaker 1 (01:32):
Absolutely.
And then the article goes onand there's this prompt what
does a typical day look like foryou now, compared to before
recovery?
It's like taking a before andafter snapshot.

Speaker 2 (01:42):
Exactly, exactly, exactly, and you'd be surprised
how many people find this onechallenging at first, because it
forces you to really take stock, to acknowledge the changes,
both big and small.
Yeah, sometimes those changesare subtle, like maybe, instead
of reaching for a drink afterwork, you now go for a walk.

Speaker 1 (02:01):
Yeah, that's such a good example.

Speaker 2 (02:03):
Yeah.
Because it is those smallthings that can make a big
difference, and even those smallshifts can have a ripple effect
on your entire day.

Speaker 1 (02:10):
Totally.
It's like building momentum Onegood choice at a time.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
Precisely, and that leads perfectly into the next
section, your recovery goals,which is all about, you know,
harnessing that momentum andsetting your sights on the
future.

Speaker 1 (02:25):
And this quote from the article really stood out to
me.
It says recovery is not a racebut a lifelong journey of
discovery, which I think is agood reminder for all of us to
be patient with ourselves.

Speaker 2 (02:36):
It's about progress, not perfection, and embracing
the journey with all its twistsand turns.

Speaker 1 (02:41):
For sure.
And speaking of twists andturns, there's a prompt in this
section that I think is so key.
It asks what new activitieshave you adopted to replace old
habits?
Because it's not enough to justlike stop the negative right.
We have to fill that space withsomething positive 100%.

Speaker 2 (02:59):
This is where it gets really exciting.
Think about what you loved todo as a kid, something you've
always wanted to try, or evenjust something simple that
brings you joy.

Speaker 1 (03:07):
Right, Like maybe you used to spend hours in front of
a screen but now you'relearning to play guitar or
you're volunteering at an animalshelter.

Speaker 2 (03:14):
Exactly.
It's about rediscoveringyourself, exploring new passions
and creating a life that's sovibrant and fulfilling that
those old habits just they losetheir appeal.

Speaker 1 (03:26):
Totally OK.
So this next section is calledAddiction Recovery Challenges.

Speaker 2 (03:30):
OK.

Speaker 1 (03:30):
And it feels like this is where things might get a
little more real.

Speaker 2 (03:34):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:34):
Because it acknowledges that you know this
journey isn't always smoothsailing.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
Yeah, it's about building resilience.
We all face setbacks.
It's part of being human.
But it's how we navigate thosechallenges.
That truly defines our strength.

Speaker 1 (03:48):
That's so true, and I love how the article reminds us
to be kind to yourself.
Recovery takes time andpatience, which, honestly, is
easier said than done oh, tellme about it right, it is and
that's why I think the prompt inthis section is so crucial.

Speaker 2 (04:00):
It asks how do you stay committed to recovery
during tough times?

Speaker 1 (04:03):
yeah, that's a big one.
So what are some strategiesthat you've found have helped
people that you've worked with.

Speaker 2 (04:08):
Well, you know, building a strong support system
is essential.
Surround yourself with peoplewho understand your journey and
can offer encouragement withoutjudgment.
Maybe it's a therapist, asupport group, close friends or
family.
Yeah, it's about having thatsafe space to be vulnerable
group, close friends or family.

Speaker 1 (04:23):
Yeah, it's about having that safe space to be
vulnerable.

Speaker 2 (04:25):
Absolutely, and don't underestimate the power of
self-care.
Find what replenishes you,whether it's exercise,
meditation, spending time innature or pursuing a creative
outlet.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
Okay.
So it's like having thistoolbox of coping mechanisms
that you can draw on when thingsget tough.

Speaker 2 (04:42):
Exactly.

Speaker 1 (04:43):
I love that.

Speaker 2 (04:45):
And if you find yourself struggling, don't
hesitate to reach out forprofessional help.
There's strength in seekingsupport when you need it.

Speaker 1 (04:51):
A hundred percent.
Now.
This next section, recoverypractices, really piqued my
interest because it gets intothe nitty gritty of maintaining
recovery.

Speaker 2 (05:00):
Yeah, it's about incorporating practices into
your daily life that supportyour well-being.

Speaker 1 (05:04):
Exactly, and there's this one prompt that asks how
does mindfulness or meditationplay a role in your recovery?
And honestly, I think this iswhere a lot of people might get
tripped up, because mindfulnesscan feel kind of vague and
intimidating.

Speaker 2 (05:22):
Yeah, it can seem that way at first, but it
doesn't have to be complicated.
At its core, mindfulness isabout learning to be present in
the moment without judgment.

Speaker 1 (05:30):
Okay, I like that.
So how does that tie intorecovery specifically?

Speaker 2 (05:32):
Well, addiction often thrives on dwelling on the past
or obsessing about the future,and mindfulness helps you break
free from that cycle and groundyourself in the here and now.

Speaker 1 (05:41):
Right.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
And ground yourself in the here and now.

Speaker 1 (05:43):
Okay.
So it's not about like clearingyour mind completely.
It's more about just noticingthose thoughts and feelings
without getting totally sweptaway by them.

Speaker 2 (05:52):
Precisely, and there are also guided meditations,
which can be incredibly helpful,especially when you're first
starting out.

Speaker 1 (05:59):
Right, it's like having a guide for your mind.
Exactly that makes a lot ofsense.

Speaker 2 (06:04):
And the benefits can be profound.
Mindfulness can help reducestress, manage cravings, improve
emotional regulation allcrucial aspects of recovery.

Speaker 1 (06:14):
Totally.
This whole section feels veryempowering, like it's about, you
know, taking control of yourrecovery and finding these
practices that really supportyour well-being.
Okay, so ready for the finalsection.

Speaker 2 (06:26):
I am.

Speaker 1 (06:26):
This one's called Reflecting on Personal Growth.

Speaker 2 (06:28):
Love it.
I love anything about growth.

Speaker 1 (06:30):
Me too.
Who doesn't Right?
And this section feels veryforward-looking.
It does yeah, it's aboutrecognizing how far you've come
and then looking ahead to allthe possibilities.

Speaker 2 (06:41):
Stepping into your potential.

Speaker 1 (06:42):
Yes, exactly, and I think this final prompt really
captures it.
It asks how do you envisionyour life five years from now?

Speaker 2 (06:50):
Ooh, I like that, Right yeah.

Speaker 1 (06:53):
It's about daring to dream, setting those intentions.

Speaker 2 (06:56):
And visualization is powerful.
When you can clearly see thatdesired future, it becomes more
real, more attainable, totally.
It's not just about daydreaming, it's about like creating that
future, and I think this article, with its 50 prompts, it, gives
us the tools to do that it does.
It's a roadmap.
It helps you navigate all thecomplexities of recovery and

(07:17):
really emerge as this stronger,more resilient version of
yourself.

Speaker 1 (07:19):
Totally, and you know it's important to remember that
as you go through these prompts, your answers might evolve over
time.
Yeah, what resonated with you ayear ago might hold a
completely different meaning toyou today.

Speaker 2 (07:30):
Exactly.
Recovery is an ongoing journeyof self-discovery, and these
prompts are a tool that you canreturn to again and again,
gaining new insights each time.

Speaker 1 (07:40):
So to our listener as you embark on this journey of
addiction recovery journaling,remember to be patient with
yourself, embrace the processand celebrate every step forward
.

Speaker 2 (07:50):
Cheers to that, yes.