I spent years trapped in a cycle of self-destruction—negative thoughts, numbing actions, waking up feeling worse than the day before. I thought I was beyond saving. But then I learned something life-changing: I don’t have to believe every thought my mind throws at me.

What if, instead of letting negative thoughts control us, we simply observed them? What if we chose actions that aligned with the life we actually want?

This shift changed everything. The same spiral that once pulled me down is now lifting me up. And the best part? You can start today.

Ever feel like everyone’s watching you? You walk into a room, your palms are sweaty, and suddenly it feels like every single person is focused on your every move. But here’s the thing—you’re probably not the center of attention like you think. This is called the spotlight effect, and trust me, it’s messing with your head.

We all have our struggles—whether it's mental health, bad days, or feeling like we're not enough. But here's the truth: those things don’t define you. You're not broken. You're human. Embrace your imperfections, your flaws, and every little bit of you. The moment you stop acting like something’s wrong with you is when you truly start to love yourself.

Darkness isn’t a puzzle to solve—it’s a place to move through. We often get stuck trying to understand why we feel the way we do, but sometimes, it’s about accepting the heaviness and trusting that it’s making us stronger. Like wearing a 40-pound weight vest for 30 days—it’s tough, but the strength you gain is worth it. Embrace the darkness, because on the other side, you'll find a version of yourself that’s more resilient than before

Recovery is about more than just giving up substances; it’s about changing the beliefs that got us there in the first place. As Incubus puts it, "Whatever you thought would manifest," and that’s exactly what happens when we start to believe in something better. By shifting from thoughts of I’ll never change to I am capable of creating the life I want, we begin to see real transformation. Every belief you change, every positive choice you make, adds another stroke to the masterpiece you’re creating—a life you love, not one you hate. You’re the artist of your own recovery.