Living in recovery isn’t always pretty and perfect. When I think of living in recovery an image pops into my mind of a silhouetted female figure doing an awesome yoga pose at sunset. As a matter of fact, Google “recovery” (I just did) and scroll down the images. You’ll find people along with silhouetted sunsets.

That’s the exact opposite of what recovery means to me and when I see stock photos like those I usually roll my eyes. Maybe because I don’t understand why people try to constantly shove those images down our throats but it makes people like me feel bad about myself.

For one, I don’t get to see a picturesque sunset every day. Two, I wouldn’t be able to hold that yoga pose long enough to make a good photo and three, it’s just unrealistic. We are not stock photos. We cannot go for walks in a blissful wood every day with sunlight shining perfectly through trees. We cannot always meditate beside a candlelit Buddha statue in orange monk garb with floating lotuses within our reach. It’s not realistic.

The reality is that many of us who struggle with issues related to mental health are just managing. This is what media wants you to think of when you think of mental “wellness”. This is supposed to be what recovery “looks” like.

You know what my recovery looks like? Getting up in the morning. Actually making it to work on time…most of the time. Celebrating two years in the same job. Not quitting from being overwhelmed. Taking a shower every day. Brushing my teeth. Making healthy food choices. Taking my medication and knowing that without it I probably wouldn’t be able to function this well. Making myself go to bed earlier than I want to. Writing a “to do” list and accomplishing it. Not crying almost every day of the week. Finding a healthy way to manage insomnia.

The reward of living in recovery means getting out of bed each day with a purpose. Spending time with people I care about instead of isolating. Giving back. Encouraging others. Playing with my dog. Planting stuff. Going for a hike. Making art. Listening to records. Going to the movies. A deeper connection with God and community.

Recovery is worth it but you must accept you’ll have good days and bad ones. In the end, life is worth the fight. Be encouraged and never give up!

~ ISM