Celebrating Independence: 12 Years of Freedom and Growth

Today marks a milestone in my personal recovery journey that serendipitously falls on Independence Day. This July 4th, I celebrate 12 years of independence from drugs, alcohol, and self-harm!

To commemorate this special occasion, I facilitated a meaningful and fun activity with my team—an activity I used to lead in the beginning of my recovery journey as a tech at a women's rehab. Each July 4th, we would tie-dye t-shirts and talk about transforming a blank canvas with the colors we chose. Some participants had a clear plan; others did not. But no matter the approach, the end results were always beautiful. This activity centered around the idea that, "You don't find yourself; you create yourself."

In that first year of recovery, I realized that hiding didn’t give me an excuse to act lost; I had to show up. Fear was slowly replaced with freedom. I understood that I truly had the power to choose the person I wanted to become. I started noticing positive qualities in others that inspired me, and I realized that those same qualities existed within me too; otherwise, I wouldn’t have even noticed them. Surrounding myself with supportive and healthy role models became crucial, leaving no room for anything less.

If I wanted to keep good friends, I had to be a good friend. If I wanted healthy relationships, I had to grow up. If I wanted to inspire others one day, I desperately needed to become teachable, accept some hard truths about myself, and be vulnerable.

I've learned a lot over these 12 years. And as time goes by, I realize there’s so much more to learn. Today, I'm simply grateful.