Major life transitions like moving can be stressful, but they can also provide a wonderful opportunity for a reset in life. If you are someone who is working on sobriety and addiction recovery, you may be faced with making big changes in your life that feel overwhelming. These transitions and changes may be hard and involve ending bad habits and embracing new ones, but the long-term benefits are worth the effort.
Major transitions can lead to a healthier life
As New Jersey Online shares, it is critical to make positive lifestyle changes as you move forward in your sobriety. If you are in addiction recovery, you already know that you need to start making new friendships and connections, and you need to stay away from settings that will trigger memories of your old life. For some people, moving or making another major transition will be necessary to truly get a fresh start.
Embracing a major transition after addiction, whether it be moving, ending a bad relationship, or starting a new job, can ultimately get you to a healthier place. Once the dust settles, you can embrace positive habits and make healthier choices, eliminating previous sources of stress from your life and settling into a healthier environment. It will likely be easier to walk away from previous bad habits when you have taken steps to change your environment in positive ways.
Ditch your bad habits as you move forward with big changes
Getting a fresh start with a move or other big change means taking control of your past bad habits and making a concerted effort to create new, positive habits. You may need to look for a new place near new friends, supportive family, or healthy activities that you now enjoy, or find someplace in a community that allows you to avoid troublesome spots and embrace new connections.
Experience Life points out that a big change like moving tends to spark a lot of anxiety and fear, even if the change is ultimately for the best. Many people are wary of the unknown and it is natural to question whether a big change is the right move. To set the stage for success, focus on positive thoughts and plan ahead as much as possible. Research your new area and look for new activities, clubs, or religious outlets that you can check out after the move.
Embrace your new setting as soon as possible
Once you have moved or made another big transition, work on creating a new, comforting routine as soon as possible. The sooner this new place or experience feels familiar, the sooner you will be able to let go of old bad habits and form new, lasting, and positive ones. Check out your new neighborhood, get familiar household items in place quickly, and seek new activities to keep your spirits up as you make these adjustments.
When you are working on your sobriety and addiction recovery, your environment is key to your long-term success. Psychology Today notes that your environment will reinforce who you are, whether that be a positive or a negative. It can be hard to form lasting, positive habits in an old, unhealthy environment, so embracing the opportunity to move or make a major transition when it comes to your environment may be the key to staying sober. Here are some useful tips for maintaining sobriety on vacation and in social settings.
Reach out to support services
Huffington Post suggests that if a job change is on the horizon, it can help to reach out to organizations like Career One Stop or local employment assistance resources in your community to get support and direction. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration can be another useful resource when you are in addiction recovery and need some support as you face big life changes.
Big changes are rarely easy, especially if they involve major transitions during your addiction recovery. Life may feel upside down as you work on your sobriety and additional big changes can feel stressful. Ultimately, however, big changes can bring positive results and moving, changing a job, or leaving a toxic relationship can be the catalyst for a healthier life that will support you in your efforts related to your sobriety.
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