Merry Christmas Message

 

 

I can’t believe that another year has passed I’m starting to think the years are getting faster as I get older and greyer. In this post I want to talk to you about something that pops up every year without fail – Santa clause; mince pies – and the unique challenges and blessings that come around during the Christmas period.

 

The truth is that Christmas and new year are supposed to be a time of celebration, reflection, and connection, but for those on the journey of recovery – like us – Christmas can also be a time of great vulnerability but also a time of immense growth.

 

Christmas is often portrayed as the season of joy, of togetherness, and excess. But for many of us, it’s also a time that amplifies our past memories, our negative  emotions, and sometimes our pain.

 

For people in recovery, Christmas can remind us of moments of struggle, loneliness or disconnection. For me specifically, it throws up memories of getting arrested, hospitalised, detoxes, tension, family breakdown and loneliness. Christmas 2009 was literally the worst and lowest time in my life!

 

Good job I bumped into my now wife Sarah. She just so happened to be a therapist, and therapy whether official or unofficial like mine, taught me about the importance of shifting our perspective and reframing things.

 

You see, when we are able to flip our perspective or even reframe it – Christmas can also offer us an incredible opportunity to rewrite our stories. Eventually we can come to embrace the true spirit of Christmas: a spirit of hope, renewal, and love – if we allow ourselves too.

 

Recovery, as we all know, is not just about abstaining from substances or behaviours. That’s the easy part believe it or not – Recovery is actually about the process of rebuilding our lives, our relationships, and our sense of self. It’s about finding meaning and purpose, even when the road gets tough.

 

During Christmas, it is themes such as connection and gratitude – that should come into sharp focus and priority.

 

Let’s start with this idea of connection. For many of us in recovery, isolation has been our best pal, our companion for far too long. It is familiar and safe. Our addiction had created walls between us and those we love. The festive period can actually give us a really good chance to reconnect with important people in our lives.

 

Whether it’s mending broken relationships, building new ones, or simply just being present with others, Christmas is a time to celebrate the power of connection. If you’re in recovery, reaching out to others — whether it’s friends, family, or even a supportive community like ARC— can be one of the greatest gifts you give yourself and those around you.

 

We have a boxing day check in and ongoing walking groups not to mention the Facebook accountability group to ensure you there is always connection over Christmas. We encourage people to use them! I want to say a massive thank you to all those who are giving up their time to allow those to happen at Christmas.

 

Then there’s the theme of gratitude. I always think of Maggs our operations manager here and the daily evening gratitude posts we use on our community Facebook group.

 

Christmas invites us to reflect on the good stuff in our lives, both big and small. Recovery teaches us to find gratitude even in the smallest victories: another 24 hrs sober, a kind word of encouragement from someone, or even just having the strength to keep going during a tough workout or run.

 

Gratitude is transformative. It shifts our focus from what’s lacking to what’s abundant. In previous Christmases I spent so much time focusing on what I felt I was lacking as a person, I was insular and my thoughts were pretty distorted.

 

This Christmas, if you are in recovery, I encourage you – don’t be like the old me – take a moment to recognise just how far You have come, to honour your resilience, and to appreciate the journey that you are on.

 

But let’s also be realistic. Let’s acknowledge the challenges this time of year throws up. The Christmas holidays can have more triggers than a John Wick movie, from social gatherings; Staff nights out where people are out of their minds; to emotional memories; even to the pressure to make everything perfect. Hands up the perfectionists out there?

 

For those of us in recovery, these challenges require real vigilance and self-compassion. It’s okay to set boundaries for yourself. It’s okay to say no. And it’s more than okay to prioritise your well-being and recovery this Christmas.

 

This brings me to self-care. Believe it or not, I can be better at talking about this that actually doing it’ –  Recovery is about learning how to care for ourselves in ways we may not have done before.

 

During Christmas, self-care can mean different things: attending a support groups, getting out for a walk, meditation, run, train or simply finding moments of peace amid the holiday rush. It’s about giving yourself the permission to protect your recovery and your peace.

 

Christmas is also a season of hope. We believe very strongly about this here at ARC –  And if there’s one thing recovery teaches us, ’it is the power of hope. No matter how dark the past may have been, the fact that you made the decision to choose recovery is a testament to believing that you wanted a better life –  a brighter future.

 

People in recovery are hope carriers, never forget that. There is always the possibility of a fresh start.

 

Finally, I want to talk about giving. Not the kind of giving that comes from Santa and is wrapped in shiny paper, but the giving of ourselves; of our time, our attention, and our kindness. Recovery gives us the opportunity to show up for other people in ways we might not have before.

 

No one deserves to fight this battle alone. Recovery from addiction is a transformative process. It is not a solitary journey. By building connections with others on the same path, we build a stronger, more resilient support network.

 

Just as iron sharpens iron, we can help each other become our best selves through shared encouragement and accountability. Whether it’s offering encouragement or support to someone who is struggling, or simply just being present and not distracted, the act of giving benefits both you and the receiver.

 

To all of those of you out there in recovery: you are a testament to strength, courage, and the power of transformation. This Christmas, I want you all to celebrate your progress. Honor the effort it takes to choose recovery, to face challenges head on, and to embrace a new life.

 

To those out there supporting individuals in recovery: thank you for your patience, your love, and your understanding. It means more than you know.

 

As we move through the next few weeks, let us remember that you are not alone – You are all on a journey of connection, hope, and resilience. Let us hold close the true meaning of Christmas: that no matter where we have been or what we have been through, there is always room for renewal, for joy, and for love.

 

This year – instead of focusing on the challenges and hardship of Christmas – May this year be a time of healing, growth, and gratitude for us all.  And may we carry its lessons with us into 2025, one step, one day at a time.