Here’s What I Wish Someone Had Told Me About The Journey To Healing

Healing is falling in love with life, and sometimes it’s falling out the day after, but most importantly, it’s never giving up.

I wish I could tell you that healing is straightforward, that healing is linear, that everything simply clicks into place and suddenly you’re free, happy, and cured. But the truth is, healing is messy; at times, it’s ugly. Other times, it’s just chaotic.

There’s nothing really pretty about removing yourself from the places you’ve found comfort in and throwing yourself headfirst into the deep end. It’s not really fun having to drag yourself out of bed against the forces of your own resistance. If I’m being honest, in the early stages, there’s probably absolutely nothing attractive or enticing about the long journey ahead. You may ask, Why would anyone want to put themselves through that? That feeling of hope, only to have it taken away; that pain, the relapse; that endless cycle. Why would anyone want that? I’ll tell you: No one wants that. No one wanders and accidentally finds themselves on this path because it looked lush and lovely on the outset.

This journey of healing and recovery is a choice made because it’s a choice that is necessary. We choose it because we know, for our own sake and sanity, we need it. We caught a glimpse of what life on the other side could hold, and we made that split second decision. And once that decision is made, it’s done. When you choose a path of healing, you choose it for good. No matter how long it takes, this is the path you’re on: the path to a life of growth, gratitude, and everything your higher self screams for.

It takes time to heal from the things that once broke you, whether that be a situation, a someone, or even yourself. Remind yourself of why you chose this path and don’t give up now just because it’s taking a while. Be patient while you put together the pieces, love yourself, and forgive yourself. You won’t get it right the first time, but with each time, you will be one step closer.