Feelings Aren’t Facts
“You don’t have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you.”
—Dan Millman
IT’S OKAY TO FEEL WHAT YOU FEEL
By now, you may notice emotions bubbling up; irritation, sadness, anxiety, even bursts of joy. This is normal. Recovery wakes up feelings that substances once numbed. The key is remembering: feelings aren’t facts, and they don’t last forever. Stress and strong emotions can be managed without giving in to old habits. Every time you handle a feeling in a healthy way, you grow stronger.
DID YOU KNOW?
Practicing simple stress-management skills like deep breathing or grounding exercises can lower heart rate and stress hormones within 90 seconds. Calming your body helps calm your mind.
Try This Today
Ground Yourself in the Moment
When stress or strong emotions hit, use the 5-4-3-2-1 technique to bring yourself back to the present. It only takes a minute and reminds you that the feeling will pass.
Build Your Recovery Toolbelt
Notice 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing you can taste. This quick reset helps calm your body and mind.
Practice Calm
Write down one situation that usually stresses you out. Next to it, write one healthy way you could respond. Keep it simple—you’re building habits, not chasing perfection.
