This Independence Day, I didn’t watch the fireworks. I crawled into bed with my pups and put on meditation music for dogs (link included below.) It actually worked! Boris, who just the night before was shaking the bed with his nerves, calmed down after only a few minutes. I must admit they had some assistance from a little puppy-safe catnip called PuppyJawana. I turned the volume up just enough to blend the booms with the music. So, we didn’t miss out. We tuned in to calm and peaceful gratitude. And for the first time, I didn’t feel jealous that I couldn’t watch the fireworks. There was no place I’d rather be, and I honored my boundaries. That’s something worth celebrating! Sometimes the most freeing thing I can do is say no to what hurts me even if it's something I want.

For so long, I believed I had no willpower to do what was best for me. I thought I was just weak and unable to resist what I wanted in the moment. But through sobriety, stroke recovery, and everyday surrender to chronic pain, I’ve realized I don’t need willpower. I need consistent willingness to do the next right thing in front of me. What looks like strength from the outside isn’t superhuman effort. It’s just one step at a time over and over again. Some days, my “wanter” and the next right thing align, and those days feel like gratitude. But even when they don’t align, I can pause, make healthy choices, and keep my eyes on the horizon without tripping over the pebbles right in front of me. That’s not willpower. That’s freedom of choice not blurred by addiction.

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Relaxing Music for Dogs to Calm Down | GREAT FOR FIREWORKS! @MerlinsRealms https://youtu.be/wsYT7ErnznQ?si=8zY7os_4qqH2iTSh

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#IndependenceInRecovery #WillingnessOverWillpower #SobrietyJourney #StrokeRecovery #EmotionalSobriety #NextRightThing #HealingNotHustling #FireworksAndFeelings #HonorYourBoundaries #RecoveryWithGrace

I went rucking today for an entire mile and a half by myself! I’m trying to build strength, and it’s absolutely a “no pain, no gain” situation. Afterward, before heading home, I sat on a park bench and was surrounded by birds singing. Before I even had a chance to exhale, I started recording my podcast for the day.

My topic today, “Easy Does It,” is easier said than done. Even when I’m walking, I have to remind myself to relax my shoulders, breathe, slow down, you’re not in a race. I’m repeatedly reminded in life to let go of my tension. Yoga, dog training, vestibular recovery, doing the dishes (without braking any) have all taught me that, and yet I’m twisted up like a rubber band no matter what I’m doing. I want to do as much as possible in the least amount of time.

Stroke recovery is teaching me to stop between tasks and check in on how I’m feeling. Sometimes, like today, I talk about slowing down, but don’t actually do it. I’m holding myself accountability and sharing it out loud because I know I’m not unique in this. “Easy Does It” echoes the same idea as yesterday about slowing down to the speed of joy. I’m still figuring out where that line is between doing the next right thing and just busying myself to avoid stillness.

Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

#EasyDoesIt #StrokeRecovery #OneDayAtATime #NoPainNoGain #RecoveryJourney #SlowDownToGrow #MindfulMovement #VestibularRecovery #ProgressNotPerfection #NextRightThing