I should post this quote in all of my lines of sight. Recovery, 2020, 2021 so far, life in general… they all contain tough days. Even if we have skills in our toolbox to cope, it doesn’t make the times painless. I remember some of the days that I wanted to just curl up, sleep, cry… because it felt as if the discomfort and struggle wouldn’t end. I wanted the day to be over – I wanted the difficulty to go away.

For some, the pain becomes too much and they die by suicide or use substances or other behaviors to drown out the sorrow. Unfortunately, we forget those days end, and others begin. Just as the sun sets daily, so will it rise again the next day. Find the things that support you and drive you before those bad days happen. We can’t teach ourselves to swim while we’re drowning – but we can save ourselves if we know some skills to at least doggy paddle.

See you tomorrow.

Kristen Ellis

Kristen has worked in the mental health field since 2013, with a focus on crisis work, substance use services, and bringing a voice to lived experience. Her ambition is to change the way mental health care and recovery is seen and achieved, so to redefine what it means to defeat adversity.