Finding happiness in recovery is one of the most important goals of any person who seeks to overcome addiction. Happiness gives us the strength to continue our journey into long-term sobriety.

Achieving happiness takes work and time, but it can be done with some simple principles. Here are some of them: – Don’t try to please others.

1. Be yourself

A big part of happiness in recovery is learning to be yourself. Those in recovery can sometimes struggle with self-love, especially in early sobriety, but being true to yourself is vital to your success. Staying away from people or situations that can compromise your sobriety is also key, as are setting aside time for rest and reflection.

Finding joy in sobriety is a personal experience, and what brought you happiness in the past may not bring you happiness now. However, many recovering individuals have found that happiness comes from a healthy perspective and a focus on positive relationships and activities.

This idea is central to Eastern philosophies such as Buddhism and Taoism, and modern spiritual teachers like Eckhart Tolle and Deepak Chopra also emphasize that happiness comes from acceptance of what is happening in the moment. In other words, perception really is reality! And this is an important lesson for anyone to learn.

2. Don’t try to please others

If you find yourself constantly trying to please others, it can be exhausting. This is a sign that you aren’t listening to your own inner voice and that you don’t have strong personal boundaries. It is also a sign that you are afraid of disappointing or angering people and that you have a low tolerance for conflict.

You may also find yourself making compromises in your relationships and career because you don’t have a clear sense of your own values. This can lead to resentment, which can have negative effects on your health and happiness.

To stop being a people-pleaser, start by being more conscious of your actions. Then, begin to set stronger boundaries. If you are worried about losing friends or alienating family, it’s important to communicate your new outlook with them gently and respectfully. Eventually, they will begin to respect your decisions and support you. This will help you to regain happiness in sobriety.

3. Don’t try to be perfect

Trying to be perfect can lead to a lot of stress in recovery. There will be cravings, setbacks, and even relapses at times. Learning to love yourself and take it in stride will help you stay on the path to success.

Striving for perfection will only hold you back. It’s not healthy or possible. The human brain is not wired for perfection and striving for it can actually harm your well-being by causing anxiety.

Practicing mindfulness, self-reflection, and having good supportive relationships can help you move past perfectionism. Having a mindset that prioritizes progress over perfection can free up time to enjoy sobriety and build strong, healthy relationships in recovery. Ultimately, you don’t have to choose between happiness and sobriety. In fact, you can have both. But, you will have to work on it to get there. Start small – maybe it’s making sure to spend time with a friend who makes you laugh or even just taking time for yourself.

4. Don’t compare yourself to others

When you compare yourself to others, it can be hard not to feel jealous of them or like you are not good enough. However, it is important to remember that everyone is on their own journey and there is more to someone than what you can see. It’s also important to know that just because someone else seems to be doing better than you in recovery, does not mean they are not struggling. If you decide that their addiction is not as severe as yours, it could be a rationalization for your own substance use and lead to relapse.

Getting caught up in negative comparisons is a recipe for self-doubt, frustration, and unhappiness. When you catch yourself making a negative comparison, remind yourself that happiness is a state of mind and try to focus on what lifts your spirits and makes you feel good about yourself. This can include activities such as spending time with family and friends, taking a bath, listening to music, or exercising.