Recovery Basics
Living With Intention and Addiction
By Nick • Originally published June 7, 2018 • Updated April 19, 2021
Living with intention during recovery and sobriety can be incredibly powerful.
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Living with intention during recovery and sobriety can be incredibly powerful. Let me explain. When you struggle with an addiction it’s important you take each day and live each moment with intention.
But what is living with intention all about? Glad you asked.
What is Intentional Living?
Intentional living is how you live your own life based on your values and beliefs. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life.
I am here to help you recognize some of your own deep rooted intentions.
It is about choosing to live in a way defined by your choices. Not your subconscious. Not just going through the motions. But, in order to live with intention, you need to set goals.
The Importance of Goal Setting
Let’s talk about the importance of goal setting. We are all different people and we all have different ideas on how we can live our best possible life.
Think Big or Small
I want you to think of one goal big or small that you have for your life and write it down; anywhere, on a piece of paper or jot it down in your phone. I know that seems incredibly broad but think of something you’ve always wanted to do or maybe a way you’ve wanted to be.
Something that you can work on this week. Example: “I want to be more kind.”
So for this, you will put that as your goal and every day this week, living intentionally, you would aim to be the kindest person you can possibly be. Be mindful of every interaction you make. Example: “I want to have a better relationship with my mom.”
For this, maybe you would send your mom a text on Monday and call her on Wednesday. Or perhaps go see her on Friday. Example: “I want to take a vacation to the beach.”
For this, maybe on Tuesday you would work out the cost of this trip and then on Friday you would work out how much money you would need to save in order to make this trip happen. You get the idea!
Setting goals doesn’t always have to be addiction and recovery related.
Oftentimes, those who are in recovery get stuck in the trap and believe that their entire life revolves around setting addiction goals: How many triggers can I overcome? Etc.
Don’t burn yourself out.
Think about the big picture and set a goal this week - make it fun!
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