That time of year has come around for many students going back to school. There are the exceptions of little ones not yet ready for school or older students who have graduated onto jobs and careers. That is one transition where a lot of moving happens when graduation comes and students move to college. Perhaps they move to work after graduation. Following that, there may be moves to get married, have a family, moving closer to aging relatives, or any number of other ways moving occurs. It also happens with people in recovery who may move into rehab, transitional housing, then onto their own housing situation. Moving is challenging and may also be triggering for people experiencing transitions in recovery. Find out why it is difficult and how to navigate the challenge without feeling triggered.
Tips to Ease Transition
It is hard to cope with transitions in recovery when there is so much going on. In recovery, people are in different stages of healing, including letting go of addiction and seeking new ways of living in recovery. Moving can increase the tension and anxiety people feel around their life circumstances. What they need are some tips to ease the transition and bring them a measure of hope when instability hits.
KonMari
There is a lot of talk around the KonMari method. Basically, Marie Kondo developed an approach to being a minimalist and a decluttering specialist. Her method helps people get rid of excess stuff so they find their space more joyful and appealing. With that in mind, it is helpful to declutter, purge, and get rid of anything that is not for you in this current life circumstance. Decluttering can be stressful, especially if emotions or places are attached to the things being tossed away. There may be some processing to go through when getting rid of old stuff that carries energy from a different time in life. One helpful tip: create three piles to help you get through the stuff; sell, donate, and toss.
Find Support
Friends and family are a great support team, along with others who will help you navigate transitions in recovery. Part of taking the pressure out of moving is to recognize people will either help you or they won’t. Use your network to find help. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask them how to get through this difficult time, even if it means seeking other means to do it that you never thought of (but maybe someone else has).
Transitions in Recovery Are Big Shifts
Moving and transitioning from one place to another is a huge shift. Don’t underplay how much it might trigger your anxiety, fears, and other thoughts. The only way to manage the life-altering and tense challenge of moving are to remember others want to help and support you. They don’t want to see you struggle. Reach out and ask them for help. Remember they may need help down the road and so they are offering it to you now, but you may be able to help them (or someone else) in transition and moving later. Put your recovery ahead of the move and get people in place to support you as you transition from one place to another.
A Step in the Right Direction provides quality sober living for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. We teach people how to live a sober life through community building, accountability, and healthy living. Our sober living program is staffed by people who understand the power of addiction. For more information about sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (818) 921-7132.
