Alright, friends, it's time to take a collective deep breath and exhale all the hustle. Today's post is here to offer a little dose of light-heartedness and healing. It's the height of summer, after that sweet time when the days stretch out, inviting us to slow down and soak up every warm ray. Let’s shed the heavy stuff, breathe, and find a more intentional rhythm. It's a wonderful time to focus on your well-being. What better way than a personally curated list of uplifting recovery songs, insightful mental wellness podcasts, and audiobook recommendations to add to your listening queue. Let's dive in!

My post holds a deeply personal significance for me today. On July 3rd, 2025, I celebrated a big milestone: three years of sobriety. A sobriety birthday isn't just a date on the calendar; it's an affirmation of my strength, a powerful reminder that even through the hardest days, the challenges, and the lowest moments, I remained resilient, While the initial decision to get sober was a crucial step, the daily commitment to maintaining sobriety often challenging. Yet, it's a fight I would choose every single time, for it saved my life. Without sobriety, I would not have the privilege of sharing this journey with you all. Let’s get into why sobriety anniversaries are so important.

Hey y’all,

Throughout my recovery journey, I've participated in a variety of resources, from attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and group therapy sessions to engaging with online mental health forums, listening to addiction and recovery podcasts, and exploring self-help books. These experiences have provided me with invaluable insights and knowledge. As I continue to dive deeper into self-reflection and continue to explore my recovery, I consistently encounter a recurring theme: learning to live life on life's terms. I wanted to discuss this topic for today's post. 

I am struggling with writer's block this weekend. I have not been able to write anything that felt inspiring, but this is real, and life happens, but I want to pop in for a quick note of gratitude:

"Those of us who struggle with depression are all too familiar with the act of creating justifications to others and ourselves to avoid simple situations, often leading towards further isolation and a deeper depression. 

Writing, more specifically journaling, has been a cornerstone of my healing process, a vital outlet for my expressive personality. While I've always been very expressive, translating those emotions into simple words, especially in a way others can accept, has often been a frustrating struggle. I feel many can relate to the challenges of being themselves in a manner deemed "acceptable." While a part of me wishes I could disregard external judgment entirely, the reality of understanding the expectations of others is less than simple. 

Happy May! This Month We Bring Awareness Mental Health and Recovery. Remember No One Fights Alone #Breakthestigma #Mentalhealthawareness #Togetherwethrive #ThrivingThroughIt