Are Your ‘Can’ts’ Preventing You From Overcoming Addiction
Like most people, I’m a lot of things.
I’m a mom, a grade school teacher, a distance runner, high school and collegiate softball champion, and I’m also a recovering alcoholic.
This doesn’t make me special or different, even, but my alcoholism changed the path of my life in both good and bad ways, from the minute I took my first sip of Peppermint Schnapps at age 14 to the last drink I had at age 38.
I’ve always been a high-energy person, something I get from my mom, who is always doing something interesting, while my dad is more laid back and easy-going. But even though my parents have almost opposite personalities, they always encouraged me to see life as a series of possibilities, not setbacks. So, it’s hard to know at what point I changed my inner voice from “I can” statements to “I can’t” statements, but I imagine it was about the same age I was when I adopted booze as my BFF.
My drinker mind said “I can’t” to a lot of things, like:
can’t sign up for that marathon in San Diego because the night before there’s a wedding, so I’ll probably drink too much and be hungover.
I can’t drink too much because I don’t want to look or feel like death rolled in during parent-teacher conferences.
I can’t go more than a few days without having a glass of wine (even while pregnant).
When I finally got sober on May 26, 2020, after almost a quarter-century of heavy drinking behind me, the things that I thought made me who I am today started changing. I started seeing the “I can’t” statements as “I cans” again.
Now these statements are more like:
I can sign up for the marathon in San Diego because I no longer have to worry about being hungover - I just don’t drink anymore.
I can show up to parent-teacher conferences without feeling (or looking) hungover - I just don’t drink anymore.
I can go more than a few days without having a glass of wine; in fact, I can go the rest of my life without another sip of booze.
One of the action items I took in early sobriety was to switch my mindset. If I don’t drink, I can do a lot of other things I’ve always wanted to do.
I can become a better teacher. I can be a better mom. I can get out of my toxic marriage and still coparent like a boss with my ex.
I can follow my dreams of becoming a running and recovery coach. I can start Recovery Road Runners and help others like me find long-term sobriety and lifelong health.
You can do the same.
What are the “I can’t” statements limiting you from creating the life you want for yourself? What are the “I can’t” statements that have you resetting your sobriety to day one over and over again?
Common ‘I can’t’ statements that prevent addicts from finding recovery
I can’t have just one
I can’t relax or socialize without booze
I can’t imagine never drinking again
I can’t go a day without drinking
No matter what your “I can’t” statements are, these limiting beliefs won’t do you any good. When I coach people with running and fitness or for sobriety, we work together to switch your mindset so you aren’t telling yourself you can’t do something, when you absolutely can and will do the things that will make you truly happy.
Is it hard work? Yes.
Will it come naturally or happen overnight? No way.
Will you have to try and try again? Maybe. But with my team on your side, chances are, you’ll find your people (like I did) and turn those cannots into cans before you know it.
How RRR can help turn the ‘I can’t’ statements into ‘I can’ statements
As a teacher, professional fitness trainer and someone living in long-term recovery, my team at Recovery Road Runners knows how to motivate your mindset through one-on-one and small group coaching that’s designed with your personal goals and fitness levels.
I believe running saved my life and I see every day how positive an impact running can have on people seeking freedom from addiction. There’s a lot of science behind the ways running and fitness can enhance your recovery journey, and I’m living proof that it works.
One of the best ways to get to know me and Recovery Road Runners as a whole is to join our private community on Facebook. We’re a growing group of likeminded people who learn a lot about fitness and sobriety, and how the two go hand in hand. I hope you find us there, reach out and discover the motivation you have inside of you to change for good.
You can do this.
~ ✌️Amber