It's gone but I'm not sad, for having had it I am glad.

When I am grieving over having lost something, it's good for me to remember that I was lucky or blessed to have had it. After suffering the loss of a loved one, it's important for me to remember the joys of that relationship. Whatever it is (a dog, a fun vacation, a beloved car, a friend), I need to accept the loss and feel the sadness, but also as quickly as possible substitute the sadness of the loss with gratitude for having had what I have lost. It's even okay for me to remember that many people have not had the blessings that I have had. By changing from sorrow to gratitude, I move further away from depression and from relapse.


To-do:

To change from sadness to feeling better, remember the good things that you have had even though you have lost it. Remember them with gratitude, not with sorrow.

 

Get the SoberTool book: https://www.amazon.com/One-Minute-Serenity-Revised-Strategies/dp/B0BNVF9Q44