Let’s say you’ve recently finished a really good book. Without even thinking about it, your read the words, sentences and paragraphs and made pictures in your mind to go along with what you were reading. This is your imagination at work, and you can use your imagination for the good of your sobriety.
Your imagination can team up with daily affirmations. Let’s say, not only do you want to stay sober forever, you also want to accomplish something, may be on a daily, weekly, or yearly basis, or for a lifetime goal like writing a book. Use your imagination to create a vivid picture of your goal in your mind. Let your imagination run wild. Have some fun with it, so that it becomes life like. Not only are you going to write a book about your long journey to sobriety, for example, you are going to use your imagination to come up with interesting metaphors and perspectives on your story. You are going to engage with yourself on a creative level.
Perhaps your goals are not material. All you care about is staying sober. The thing is that in sobriety you have the opportunity to embrace your life, and expand your parameters. Not that there’s anything wrong with doing exactly as you want, it’s just letting your imagination have the space to propose other options. I just want to be able to ski the trails for average skiers. Your imagination could take you down a double-diamond trail. What would it feel like to achieve that goal instead of the status quo? Would you feel accomplished, thrilled, proud?
Your imagination can be used in many areas of your life. You could be on your way home from work and think, wouldn’t it be fun to stop for take out Thai food? Could this break up the humdrum of your week, and surprise your spouse when he or she arrives home. Imagination can play a big role in your sobriety if your just open yourself to it. Your life doesn’t have to be black and white.
Using your imagination can help you to get outside the box or a rut. Do I have options or are there other possibilities I can find by to move through this feeling. I could take a different route home, take the dog to another park for his walk, buy one rose, or a lily from the florist. Your imagination can be called upon at any time to expand your vision for how you want to live a sober life.
“Imagination does not become great until human beings, given the courage and the strength, use it to create.” ― Maria Montessori
If you or a loved one struggles with addiction, get help now. Nexus Recovery Services specializes in addiction treatment and encompasses holistic therapy for the mind, body, and soul with a focus on staying active and connected to nature. Our mission is to provide tools and support for every client’s seamless transition into a meaningful and fulfilling life of sobriety. We offer a free and confidential consultation. Call us to get started: (310) 881-9151