Recognizing the importance of finding joy in the little, seemingly inconsequential things of everyday life can change everything. It can help to prevent problems like depression and anxiety. This practice can improve overall mood, foster a sense of gratitude, and change your whole perspective on life. It can also play a crucial role in your recovery from substance misuse.
When you become heavily caught up in substance misuse, you tend to lose sight of the smaller moments of beauty, magic, and joy in everyday life. This is because so much of your time is focused on drugs or alcohol. But when you start your recovery journey, you see clearly once again. Suddenly, you may begin to be able to recognize these things again.
At Pathways Recovery Center, we aim to help our clients recognize that they don’t need to rely upon substance use to truly enjoy their lives to the fullest. Authentic joy is present and attainable in recovery.
What Does Finding Joy in the Little Things Mean?
As an adult, the phrase “finding joy in the little things” may seem like a bizarre concept. It can help to think back to the things that brought you the most joy as a child. They could have been very simple things, but at the time, they brought you much excitement and fulfillment.
For example, maybe it was getting to visit with a family member or friend you hadn’t seen in a while. Or maybe it was scoring the winning point on your sports team. It could even be as simple as enjoying your favorite home-cooked meal or playing outside on a snow day.
As you get older, it may be harder and harder to notice these joys or to feel the same excitement about them. However, that doesn’t mean that they aren’t still there. You just need to make more of an effort in noticing them. Recovery allows you the clear headspace you need to do so.
How Can Finding Joy Help Me in My Recovery Journey?
A very important aspect of the recovery journey is the development of certain life skills. At Pathways Recovery Center, we recognize the ability to foster gratitude as one of these skills. Making it a habit to actually look for the small joys of everyday life is a great way to foster a sense of gratitude. It allows you to see all the things you were missing out on as a result of your substance misuse.
Making it a habit to find the little joys of life may take time and patience. But you may be surprised by just how much it changes your entire life. When you learn to appreciate what you do have instead of what you don’t, your perspective on life can change dramatically. It is then that you will realize that substance misuse was not offering you the most authentic version of your life.
How Can I Make Finding Joy a Priority in My Recovery Journey?
One of the best ways that you can try to find joy in everyday experiences is by taking a step back and spending some time reflecting. Life is often very busy and filled with many distractions. These distractions can prevent you from seeing the beauty in the small things. By limiting and taking time away from these distractions, it can be easier to see the joys of everyday life.
Consider turning off your phone and spending some time out in nature, where distractions are very few. Pay attention to your different senses. Listen to the sound of birds chirping and feel the sun shining down on you. Doing this on a regular basis can help you re-center yourself and begin to recognize these simple but present moments of life.
It can also help to simply slow down. Perhaps you find yourself often rushing from one thing to the next without ever taking the time to actually enjoy what you are doing.
For example, maybe you tend to eat your dinner as fast as you can while standing over the sink so you can quickly move on to do something else. Consider actually sitting down at the table and savoring your food while eating it slowly. This process will not only make meal times more pleasant but will help you to better digest your food.
You can also find true joy by being fully present while you are spending time with family members and friends. During social gatherings, make an effort to turn your phone off and actually engage in the conversation. Listen attentively and allow yourself to soak up the joy of being in the presence of those you care about most. You may be surprised by just how much you were missing out on before.
Substance misuse can truly steal real and authentic joy from your life. It can trick you into thinking that you’re only truly happy when using drugs or alcohol. But the truth is that real joy can be discovered by beginning your recovery journey and learning to appreciate even the small things in your life. If you feel stuck in the cycle of substance misuse, our team at Pathways Recovery Center is here for you. Don’t wait. Give us a call today at (888) 771-0966. A member of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the services we offer. It’s time for you to start living a happier and healthier life today.
