Progress Is Still Progress, No Matter the Pace

In the world of recovery and in life itself, it’s easy to get caught up in comparison. We see others sprinting past us, seemingly effortless, while we trudge along, taking one shaky step at a time. In those moments, it’s natural to wonder, am I doing enough? Am I moving fast enough?

Here’s the truth: Progress is still progress, no matter the pace.

The Comparison Trap

When we look at others, we’re often comparing our messy middle to someone else’s highlight reel. Their progress might look faster, shinier, or more impressive. But every journey is different. Every step you take counts—especially the small ones that don’t always get noticed.

Progress isn’t always linear, and it’s rarely perfect. Sometimes it’s messy, slow, and filled with setbacks. But every small, imperfect step forward matters. Every time you choose not to give up, even when it feels like you’re moving at a snail’s pace, you’re building a foundation for lasting change.

Why Pace Doesn’t Define Success

We live in a culture that worships hustle, speed, and instant results. But recovery is different. It’s about unlearning habits and rebuilding trust with yourself. That takes time, patience, and a lot of grace. Healing isn’t a race to the finish line—it’s a journey to a life that feels like home.

Your pace is perfect because it’s yours. It’s shaped by your experiences, your healing, and your resilience. When you focus on your own journey instead of trying to match someone else’s, you give yourself the freedom to grow in a way that’s real and sustainable.

Embracing Your Own Timeline

Here’s how to embrace progress at your own pace:

• Celebrate small wins. Whether it’s making it through the day sober or setting a boundary, every step matters.

• Stop comparing. Their journey isn’t yours—and that’s okay.

• Be patient with yourself. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to rest along the way.

• Reflect on how far you’ve come. Look back and honor the person you were and the person you’re becoming.

A Reminder for Today

If you’re feeling stuck or too slow, remember this: Progress is still progress, no matter the pace. Every day you choose to keep going, you’re proving to yourself that you’re stronger than you think.

Let today be the day you give yourself permission to move at your pace. Because that’s exactly where your healing will happen.

I Am Worthy of a Life I Don’t Need to Escape From

We don’t always realize how many of our choices are made from a place of survival—grabbing at comfort, numbing pain, or trying to just make it through another day. In active addiction, the world can feel like something to endure, not enjoy. But recovery invites a radical new truth:

You are worthy of a life you don’t have to run from.

This isn’t a fantasy or a distant reward reserved for someone “better” or “further along.” This is your truth, now. You deserve peace, joy, and safety in your body and mind—not someday, not when you’ve done more healing—now.

Escaping Isn’t Living

In addiction, escaping becomes second nature. We escape with substances, distractions, chaos, or even constant busyness. At first, it might feel like survival. But over time, the escape becomes the cage.

And here’s the hard part: when you take away the escape, you’re often left sitting with the life you once tried to avoid. That’s where the real work begins—not just staying sober, but learning to live in your life. To build something you want to stay for.

Reclaiming Your Worth

To believe you are worthy is a rebellious act in a world that profits from your self-doubt. But worth is not something you earn. You don’t have to hustle for it or prove anything to claim it.

You are worthy because you are here.
Worthy of rest.
Worthy of joy.
Worthy of safe relationships, steady breath, and mornings that don’t hurt.

Recovery is the practice of living like that’s true.

Creating a Life You Don’t Need to Escape

Here’s what that can look like in real time:

• Saying no to people and situations that drain you.

• Prioritizing rest, even when it feels unfamiliar.

• Letting yourself feel, cry, and breathe without judgment.

• Surrounding yourself with others who remind you what’s possible.

• Building small routines that make your days feel softer.

You don’t have to overhaul your whole life to begin. You just have to move in the direction of belonging to yourself again.

A Reminder for Today

If you’re still navigating the discomfort of being present in a life that doesn’t feel quite safe yet, be gentle. You’re not doing it wrong—you’re doing something brave.

Let today be a turning point. Let today be the day you start believing:

You are worthy of a life you don’t need to escape from. And it’s already waiting for you.

Am Strong in My Sobriety: The Quiet Power of Belief

There’s a moment in every recovery journey when you begin to realize that strength isn’t loud. It doesn’t always shout or flex or make itself known to everyone in the room. Sometimes, strength whispers. Sometimes, it simply is—a quiet, steady flame that burns inside of you, even when everything else feels uncertain.

At Recovery in Action, we believe in the power of that flame.

The decision to walk a sober path is not just about what you give up. It’s about what you stand for. It’s about reclaiming your life—moment by moment, choice by choice. And while there are many tools to help along the way, one of the most powerful is belief.

Belief in your worth.

Belief in your healing.

Belief that even when it’s hard, you are doing something brave and meaningful.

It’s easy to forget that belief is more than just a feeling—it’s an action. Every time you say no to something that doesn’t serve you, every time you wake up and keep going despite the doubt, you’re living out that belief. You’re proving, over and over again, that you are stronger than the pull of old patterns.

“I am strong in my sobriety” isn’t just a mantra—it’s a truth. And it becomes more real every time you remind yourself of it. Especially on the hard days.

Whether you’re just starting out, coming back after a slip, or celebrating years of recovery, remember this: The strength you need is already within you. You don’t have to shout it. You just have to believe it.

St. Patrick’s Day in Recovery: Celebrating Without Sacrificing Sobriety

For those of us in recovery, St. Patrick’s Day can feel like a minefield. Everywhere we look, there are green beers, whiskey shots, and a cultural expectation that celebrating means drinking. It’s easy to feel left out, triggered, or even question why we’re staying sober in the first place. But here’s the truth: sobriety isn’t about missing out—it’s about showing up fully, with clarity, presence, and self-respect.

We don’t have to avoid St. Patrick’s Day, but we do need to approach it with intention. Instead of white-knuckling through it, we can plan ahead, set boundaries, and even redefine what the holiday means to us.

The Challenge of St. Patrick’s Day in Recovery

Many of us spent years associating fun with alcohol. As Annie Grace writes in This Naked Mind, “We learn that drinking is what makes something fun. But when we step back and challenge that belief, we realize that alcohol actually steals more than it gives.”

How many times have we woken up after a St. Patrick’s Day celebration with regret? The hangover, the embarrassing texts, the lost time? The good news is, we don’t have to live that way anymore. Sobriety gives us the gift of remembering everything we did, said, and felt—without shame or regret.

But that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. When everyone around us is drinking, we might feel left out. When people pressure us—“Come on, it’s just one night!”—we might feel frustrated. When we’re tired, stressed, or nostalgic, we might even crave the escape. But we are not alone in this. Millions of people, just like us, will celebrate sober this year—and we’ll wake up tomorrow feeling better for it.

How to Navigate St. Patrick’s Day Sober

1. Have a Plan

John C. Maxwell said it best: “A wise person learns from his mistakes. A wiser one learns from others' mistakes.”

We know from experience that going into a drinking-heavy holiday without a plan is a recipe for disaster. So let’s get ahead of it.

• What are we doing for St. Patrick’s Day?

• Who will we spend it with?

• If we go somewhere with alcohol, how will we handle it?

• What’s our exit plan if we feel uncomfortable?

Having answers to these questions sets us up for success.

2. Avoid Triggers When Possible

We’ve all heard the saying in The Big Book: “If you sit in a barbershop long enough, you’re going to get a haircut.”

The same applies to recovery—if we put ourselves in high-risk situations, it’s only a matter of time before temptation creeps in. That doesn’t mean we can’t go out, but it does mean we need to be mindful. If being around heavy drinking makes us feel on edge, maybe it’s best to skip the bar and do something different.

3. Find a Sober Community

Johann Hari famously wrote, “The opposite of addiction is not sobriety. The opposite of addiction is connection.”

We don’t have to spend St. Patrick’s Day alone just because we’re not drinking. Many recovery groups hold sober events, from meetings to potlucks to game nights. If we have sober friends, we can plan something together. If we don’t, this might be the perfect time to make some.

4. Redefine What Celebration Means

Instead of focusing on what we’re “missing,” we can focus on what we’re gaining. As Catherine Gray writes in The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, “Sobriety isn’t about giving up anything—it’s about getting back everything.”

This year, let’s reclaim St. Patrick’s Day. We can:

• Cook a traditional Irish meal.

• Watch an Irish movie.

• Go on a nature walk.

• Have a green smoothie instead of green beer.

• Spend quality time with people who support our recovery.

Who says we can’t make our own traditions?

5. Give Ourselves Grace

If St. Patrick’s Day is tough, we’re not failing—we’re healing. As Richard Rohr reminds us in Breathing Under Water, “We do not think ourselves into new ways of living, we live ourselves into new ways of thinking.”

Each sober holiday strengthens our recovery. Each time we choose ourselves over a drink, we get stronger. If cravings hit, we don’t have to power through them alone—we can call a friend, hit a meeting, or just step outside and take a deep breath.

The Reward of a Sober St. Patrick’s Day

When we wake up on March 18th, we’ll remember everything. No regrets, no shame, no hangover. That’s the gift of sobriety.

As Russell Brand puts it in Recovery: Freedom from Our Addictions, “Drugs and alcohol are not my problem—reality is my problem. But drugs and alcohol are my solution.”

In recovery, we’ve found new solutions—ones that don’t involve numbing or escaping. This St. Patrick’s Day, we celebrate not just an Irish tradition, but our own resilience. We celebrate showing up for ourselves, staying true to our values, and proving—yet again—that we are capable of living a full, joyful, and sober life.

Navigating Thanksgiving: Communicating Your Sobriety With Loved Ones

As Thanksgiving approaches, many people in recovery may feel both excitement and anxiety about gathering with family and friends. It’s a holiday known for connection and gratitude, yet it can also present challenges, especially for those navigating early sobriety or who are in a vulnerable phase of their journey. Approaching the holiday with open communication can ease these feelings and create a supportive environment. Here’s how to express your commitment to sobriety, honor your journey, and connect meaningfully with your loved ones.

Setting Boundaries and Expectations

Thanksgiving celebrations can include well-intentioned questions, curiosity, or even pressure from loved ones. These moments can feel overwhelming, and having a clear plan for communicating your needs can be essential. In the words of the AA 12 Steps Big Book, “If you have decided you want what we have and are willing to go to any length to get it—then you are ready to take certain steps.” Remember that it’s okay to ask for what you need to maintain your sobriety, whether it's setting limits on discussions or even excusing yourself from certain parts of the gathering if they become too challenging.

Expressing Gratitude While Staying Honest

Thanksgiving is a perfect time to reflect on gratitude—not only for your own journey but for the family and friends who have supported you. Some people in your life may not fully understand what sobriety means to you or why it’s essential to your wellbeing. Sharing your appreciation can foster a loving, open-hearted conversation. Bestselling author and recovery advocate Melody Beattie once wrote, “Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more.” By focusing on gratitude, you can shape a discussion around positive values rather than the challenges that come with recovery.

How to Handle “Curious Questions” with Kindness

Relatives may ask about your journey, your reasons for getting sober, or how they can support you. One approach is to frame the conversation with a gentle yet firm tone. For example, a response like, “This is something that has deeply enriched my life, and I’m grateful for it every day” can help set a positive tone while signaling boundaries. The Big Book offers this perspective: “We found that we had been indeed honest with ourselves and had come to believe in a Power greater than ourselves.” This honesty, rooted in self-compassion, can guide you in sharing as much or as little as you feel comfortable with.

Inviting Loved Ones to Be Part of Your Support System

While some may prefer to keep their journey private, others might find it helpful to let close family members know how they can help. If you're comfortable, you might say something like, “This journey is essential for my health and happiness, and your support means a lot to me.” Addiction recovery author Johann Hari reminds us, “The opposite of addiction is connection.” Thanksgiving, a holiday centered around connection, can provide an ideal moment to bring your loved ones closer to your journey in a way that feels comfortable to you.

Turning to the Wisdom of the 12 Steps

The 12 Steps offer practical advice that can be especially meaningful during Thanksgiving. One suggestion from the 12th Step reads, “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” By approaching conversations with honesty and empathy, you can embrace the spirit of the 12th Step, offering a quiet but powerful example of sobriety’s impact.

Handling Uncomfortable Situations

Inevitably, there may be moments when conversations take a turn that feels uncomfortable. Knowing your exit strategies ahead of time—such as stepping outside for fresh air, redirecting the conversation, or even leaving if necessary—can prevent feelings of overwhelm. As the Big Book notes, “It is important for us to cultivate understanding, patience, and an open mind.” Self-compassion is key; honor your feelings and give yourself permission to do what you need to stay grounded and focused.

Thanksgiving can be a meaningful time to reconnect with loved ones and express gratitude. By entering the holiday with clear intentions, supportive boundaries, and a willingness to communicate openly, you can celebrate in a way that feels authentic and safe. This Thanksgiving, remember that you are not alone—your strength, honesty, and resilience are celebrated and supported.

Navigating Halloween While in Recovery: Challenges and Tools for Staying Sober

As Halloween approaches, many people look forward to the festivities—costumes, parties, and indulging in treats. However, for individuals in recovery, this season can present unique challenges. The social pressures of parties and gatherings, often involving alcohol or triggering environments, can make it difficult to maintain sobriety. Here, we’ll explore some common challenges during Halloween and offer practical tools to support those in recovery.

Common Challenges During Halloween:

1. Social Pressure at Parties: Halloween gatherings often include peer pressure to drink or use substances. For individuals in recovery, these environments can be overwhelming and triggering.

2. Nostalgia and Triggers: Halloween can bring back memories of past celebrations, sometimes tied to substance use, increasing cravings and temptations.

3. Isolation: Deciding to skip parties or gatherings may feel lonely, making the holiday less enjoyable and intensifying feelings of isolation.

Tools for Staying Sober:

1. Plan Ahead: Consider attending a sober Halloween event or hosting your own gathering with friends and family who support your journey.

2. Stay Connected: Reach out to your support network or join a local recovery group with Halloween activities that are safe and substance-free.

3. Mindfulness and Self-Care: Focus on self-care practices like meditation or journaling to manage stress and maintain mental clarity.

4. Have a Go-To Excuse: If you’re faced with offers to drink, plan a response that feels comfortable, like “I’m focusing on health” or simply “I’m good for now.”

Halloween can still be a time for fun and connection. With the right tools, individuals in recovery can enjoy the festivities while staying on track with their sobriety journey.

Spaghetti Dinner Celebrates Future Transitional Living House at Recovery In Action

Last night, Recovery In Action hosted a successful Spaghetti Dinner in honor of our upcoming Transitional Living House, a future safe space for women and children in recovery. Although the house is not yet operational, the dinner served as a beautiful opportunity to bring our community together and share the vision for this important project.

The event was filled with positive energy as staff, volunteers, and supporters gathered to enjoy a delicious meal and discuss the plans for the house. Our Transitional Living House will provide a safe, supportive environment for women and children who are navigating their recovery journey. It will offer not only shelter but also vital resources and programs tailored to meet the unique needs of each family.

The Spaghetti Dinner gave everyone a glimpse into the powerful sense of community that will thrive within the walls of this home. The evening was a celebration of the collective efforts and commitment from our team and supporters to make this vision a reality.

We are thrilled by the overwhelming support we've received for this project and excited about the impact it will have on the lives of the women and children we will serve. As we move closer to opening the doors of our Transitional Living House, events like these remind us of the importance of our mission and the strength we find in our community.

Thank you to everyone who made the dinner such a success. Together, we are building a brighter future for those in need, and we can’t wait to see this house become a safe haven for so many. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to bring this vision to life!

SMART Recovery

SMART Recovery at Recovery In Action: A Self-Help Resource for the Community

At Recovery In Action, we believe in providing a variety of tools and resources to support individuals on their journey to recovery. That’s why we are proud to host SMART Recovery meetings in our group room as a community service. SMART Recovery is a globally recognized, self-help program that empowers individuals to overcome addictive behaviors through science-based techniques and peer support.

While SMART Recovery meetings are held in our space, it is important to note that SMART Recovery is not a medical service and participation is not tied to enrollment in Recovery In Action’s treatment programs. These meetings are open to anyone seeking support, regardless of whether they are currently receiving treatment from us.

SMART Recovery meetings are facilitated by EJ, and anyone from the community is welcome to attend. The meetings provide a safe, stigma-free environment where individuals can learn practical tools for managing addictive behaviors and take steps toward achieving a balanced, fulfilling life.

What Is SMART Recovery?
SMART (Self-Management and Recovery Training) is a self-help program designed to provide participants with tools and strategies to manage addictive behaviors. The program focuses on self-empowerment and uses techniques rooted in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI). It’s a non-judgmental and flexible program that allows individuals to define their own recovery goals, whether that’s abstinence, moderation, or simply improving overall life satisfaction.

Why Host SMART Recovery Meetings?
At Recovery In Action, we believe in empowering individuals to take control of their own recovery journey. By providing space for SMART Recovery meetings, we aim to offer our community another resource for growth and healing. The meetings focus on long-term balance, helping individuals manage their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve a healthier and more stable life.

Join Our SMART Recovery Meeting
We invite anyone in the community to attend our weekly SMART Recovery meeting, held every Wednesday at 5:30 PM in the Recovery In Action group room. This is a chance to explore new strategies for managing addictive behaviors in a supportive and stigma-free environment. You do not need to be a client of Recovery In Action to participate—just bring your commitment to personal growth.