Recently, there was an online group focused on personal growth, starting with a module about self-worth. This module hit me right at the core. Self-worth has been a challenge for me throughout my life, just like for so many others. I regularly deal with doubts about my worth, whether it’s from the way I speak to myself after making a mistake, wondering if I should take a leap of faith and try something new, or even questioning if I truly deserve to be happy.
This feeling of self-worth often connects to shame, which many of us in recovery face as we work through our journey. For people near the area, attending AA meetings Denver has been a helpful support system, offering guidance in navigating these feelings and connecting with others on similar paths.
Shame and self-worth are things I still struggle with, even after over several years of staying sober. It’s easy for me to slip into thinking I’m not good enough or that I don’t deserve the positive things in my life, despite having worked so hard for them. The difference now, though, is that I have a lot more tools, including the 12 steps of AA, to help me handle these feelings. I can even start healing from deep-rooted wounds, some of which go back to my childhood. While it’s a challenge, I feel more equipped to deal with it.
The Cycle of Self-Worth and Addiction
I often think about whether my low self-worth came first, leading me to use substances to numb the pain, or if my self-worth deteriorated because of the constant cycle of addiction. For me, the answer is both. It’s a complex relationship between my feelings of inadequacy and my addiction. The more I look into it, the more I realize that this is the cycle of life: facing hurt, finding unhealthy ways to cope with it, pretending things are fine until they aren’t, and then starting all over again. I don’t want to be stuck on this cycle any longer. It’s time for healing, and tools like a sobriety calculator remind me how far I’ve come on this journey.
The important thing I’ve come to understand is that recovery is not a straight line from addiction to healing. It’s filled with ups and downs, and it requires time and strength to truly address the issues that come up. Some of the pain we experience even existed before we started using substances and some of it may have contributed to the addiction in the first place. Recovery, though, offers a chance to address those wounds in a meaningful and deep way. AA meetings in Denver can be a crucial part of this journey, providing support and community. We have the opportunity to heal in a way that lasts.
Facing Shame and Moving Forward
Through the work I’ve been doing, I’ve started asking myself difficult questions and finding new ways to challenge old ways of thinking. It’s been hard to face a lot of pain, but I’ve begun to dig deep, uncover the worth that was hidden, and bring it to the surface. I’ve learned to look at my shame, understand it, and let it go. It’s not about ignoring it or pushing it away, but about accepting it for what it is and moving forward with it, leaving less space for shame to hold me back. In many ways, this journey has felt like a halfway house, a place between who I was and who I am becoming, offering me the structure and support I need to keep growing.
One thing I’ve learned is that healing isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s a journey, and some of the scars we carry are from before we ever picked up a substance. Some scars may even have caused the addiction to begin with. Either way, recovery gives us the space to confront our wounds and heal from them in a way that’s profound and lasting. Attending AA meetings Denver can be quite helpful on this process, as it allows us to connect with others on the same path. It allows us to let go of the shame that has held us back for so long.
Learning to Accept My Worth
At this point in my journey, I’ve been working on reframing my thoughts around my self-worth. I’ve started to realize that I don’t need to carry shame around with me anymore. I am enough just as I am, on my good days and my bad days. Worthiness isn’t something that has to be earned. It’s not conditional, and it can’t be taken away. It’s something that’s inherently a part of me, just like it is for everyone else. If I can learn this, so can you.
Whether you are searching for AA meetings Denver, or exploring the benefits of a sobriety calculator, it’s important to remember that your worth doesn’t depend on anything external. If you are taking steps toward healing, whether that means reaching out to “therapists near me” to help you get back on track, know that your worth is inherent, just like everyone else’s.
The path to healing may seem long and hard, but it’s worth it. We all have the ability to turn things around, learn to accept ourselves, and find peace and happiness. It doesn’t matter where you are on your journey, there’s always room for growth, healing, and the discovery of your true worth. So, if you’re looking to take that next step, use our directory or find a support group in your area, such as “AA meetings near me”, that can help guide you on your way. You deserve to experience the happiness and fulfillment that come from embracing your true self.