I turned to the ancient wisdom of yoga, mindfulness and meditation and learned how to set boundaries for myself.
My name is Leslie MacNabb and I am the owner of Rise with Recovery, a self-care support community for loved ones of those in recovery. I am a wellness coach and yoga instructor.
I am recovering from Codependency, where my happiness was dependent upon my partner's actions and emotions.
I started my self-care recovery Jan 15, 2018, when my partner checked himself into a treatment facility for substance use addiction. Just a couple of days prior to this, he had been arrested for driving under the influence. I got the second worst call I had been dreading. He had been sick in active addiction for a few months and not having past experience, it looked to me like severe depression and anxiety., which was also underlying. My thoughts were consumed with him. I woke up each morning wondering if he was okay and would worry tremendously about his well-being. I would bend over backwards to "help" him in any way, not knowing that what he really needed treatment. from professionals.
Because of this, I lost sight of my own wellness. I went to a 12 step meeting to learn how to help him and had an awakening there that my focus needed to be on me!
I turned to the ancient wisdom of yoga, mindfulness and meditation and learned how to set boundaries for myself. I learned how to center myself before making big decisions and was able to be a better, encouraging support for him as he started his recovery journey.
We grew stronger independently and together!
Now, I wake up and start each day for me, knowing that I am resourceful and resilient to face life's challenges. Today, I coach others who are interested in learning self-care practices while supporting a loved one in recovery. I'm happy to report that my partner is now a chemical dependency counselor and so good at his job!
When I notice my thoughts and actions getting consumed by someone else, sort of like my own codependent relapse, I return to my daily spiritual practices.
I'm grateful for my community and support system who has been nothing but encouraging since I have shared my story.
If you are supporting someone in recovery and sobriety, make sure you have a community of people who know what it's like. Seek self-care practices that are specifically designed for you.
Keep rising because the world needs your light!