Recovery Is Not One Size Fits All: Honoring Individual Paths to Healing

I am blessed to have achieved 11 years sobriety.  The road wasn't always easy; I lost both my parents in early sobriety but my friends in AA supported me.

What is sobriety?  I asked ChatGPT for a definition and it gave me a really thorough, good one:

Sobriety is the state of being free from the influence of alcohol or drugs, marked by clear thinking, self-control, and sound judgment.

More broadly, sobriety can also mean:

• A lifestyle choice of abstaining from alcohol or other substances, often as part of recovery or personal growth

• Mental and emotional clarity, where one is present, aware, and able to respond thoughtfully rather than impulsively

• Steadiness and balance, reflecting moderation, discipline, and intentional living

In recovery contexts, sobriety often refers not only to avoiding substances, but also to pursuing healing, accountability, and a healthier way of life—one day at a time.

Before I went to AA 11 years ago, I was "dry" for a period of time which means I simply did not drink alcohol.  When I got into AA & began working the 12 steps, that is when I learned the difference between being "dry" and being "sober."

Prior to the 2020 pandemic, I went to AA meetings three times a week.  I also got together regularly with people I met in the AA fellowship.  The pandemic turned the world upside down.  For me, the "upside down" was a good thing; not that everyone agrees.  Being forced to slow down with activities being canceled made me realize how exhausted I was always being on the go.  Before the pandemic, I was extremely involved with our local Catholic church.  If someone told me to jump, I was asking "how high?"  I exhausted and burned out.

In 2021 when activities resumed, I did not want to the same things I'd done before the pandemic or nearly as much. After my son graduated from high school, I joined Steadfast and started Crossfit. I quickly found another supportive community.  My "new normal" became Crossfit classes 3-4 times a week and AA once a week during the time I previously had gone to mass.

There was grumbling from a variety of sources about my choices but I found I was much happier with my new routine.  Although I was only going to one meeting a week, I continued to do AA service work.

In the fall of 2023, I was asked to give a lead (speech) at what was my AA home group at that time.  Unlike business presentations where you have a slide deck and presentation that you've rehearsed, your only preparation for a lead is to ask God to guide your words. I asked God's guidance when I walked up to the podium. Apparently, it was "God's Will" for me to speak that day about how grateful I am for the Steadfast family and how much I enjoy Crossfit.  The grumbling after that lead became louder - my priorities were wrong and I should be going to AA meetings instead of Crossfit.  I tried giving up one Crossfit class a week to pick up an extra meeting but, honestly, I was miserable. 

If I had not gotten sober through AA, I would have never made it to Steadfast to try Crossfit.  I cannot and will not forget what AA has done in my life.  After a lot of prayer, I sought out a different Sunday morning meeting. I'm blessed to have found a group of women who support and accept me for who I am - a sober woman who enjoys Crossfit and powerlifting.

I want folks to understand that recovery is not "One Size Fits All" because we are all different.  

• I'm an empty-nester who works a full-time job, does Crossfit 3-4 times a week (after a year of powerlifting), recently found kayaking & hiking, and holds a service position with a women's AA group.
• Someone else might have lost a job as a result of their addiction and finds daily AA meetings valuable as they focus on their recovery.
• Another person might seek out a recovery program that is not AA. I am not familiar with these but I link to options under Resources.
• Yet another person might opt to work closely with a therapist.

If you are in recovery from alcohol and/or drug addiction, know that I support you regardless of how live out your sobriety. My hope is that you are surrounded by a supportive community and staying sober "one day at a time."

Resources:

ChatGPT - Sobriety Definition in italics plus SEO optimization.

Non 12-Step Support Groups (not AA)

Scripture Image - YouVersion Bible App

Jealousy and 5K Training: An Odd Combination That Builds Strength Inside and Out

Jealousy and 5K training sound like an odd pairing, yet both have a way of exposing what’s happening beneath the surface. Training for a race forces patience, discipline, and honesty about our limits. Jealousy does the same for the heart, revealing insecurities and unmet expectations. When faced together, they offer an unexpected opportunity for growth—one step, one mile, and one surrendered thought at a time.

My husband Jon started GLP1 for weight loss last year and he's lost over 60 pounds. He's very happy with the progress albeit a bit more weight loss than intended. I am happy for him but, admittedly, a little jealous. I seemed to lose and gain the same 5 pounds in 2025.  I decided to act upon my jealousy in a good way and began asking Jon more questions about GLP1.  He encouraged me to try GLP1 knowing the struggles I've had losing weight that I gained during the COVID pandemic. It took several conversations before I finally decided to try GLP1 for myself.  I officially started GLP1 on January 6, 2026 and I am paying for it out of pocket through "hers."  

A couple days after my first dose, I weighed myself and I was down 4 pounds but my most recent weigh-in has me up by 1 pound.  I realize weight can fluctuate due to water retention, bowel movements, and inflammation so I will not be discouraged yet!  As a side note, I had concerns about feeling tired and weak but ending up achieving a PR deadlift of 177.5 pounds in Crossfit last week!

If you read my post Personal Growth - Reflections on 2025 and Looking Ahead to 2026, you'll know that I have a goal of improving my cardiovascular fitness. A week ago, I went on a hike with a group of friends from AA. Aside from the trails being a bit slick because of snow & ice, I struggled aerobically.  The leader of the group told me not to be discouraged that the group is meant to be for fun.  I do plan to hike with the group again even though I don't enjoy being out in the cold.

To help me further achieve my goal of improving my aerobic fitness, I was invited by a couple of Steadfast friends to do a 5K in April.  I signed up for the event so I'll be 5K training on my days off from Crossfit.  I definitely have my work cut out for me as I walked a mile this morning and it took me over 21 minutes.  Steadfast is providing two days of running workouts for us to do on our own time. I will be using these workouts for my training although I'll be walking more than running, especially to start.  I'd like to be able to walk more briskly and/or do some run/walk intervals come race day.

I greatly appreciate my husband and friends who are supporting my goals of weight loss and improving my cardiovascular or aerobic capacity.  I'm sure I could figure it out on my own but having support makes the journey much better.

Resources:

Scripture Image: YouVersion Bible App

5K We're Doing in April - Franklinton 10 miler and 5k

ChatGPT - SEO optimization

Serenity, Courage, and Wisdom: A Faith-Based Reflection on Trusting God

Three days into 2026 and the Serenity Prayer has been on my mind a lot.

After extended time off, my husband and I both resumed work on January 2.  My work isn't what caused me the stress that lead me to the Serenity Prayer.  Rather, a delayed/lost progesterone prescription, decisions regarding some items I inherited from my parents, and delays related to a new prescription have weighed on my mind.  Being a member of AA, this prayer is one of the first things I learned and my husband even bought me a canvas print of it for my home office.

I took my concerns to God here is how my circumstances relate to Serenity Prayer.

I accept the things I cannot change - missing/lost/delayed prescriptions and decisions related to inherited items.  

The courage to change the things I can, which is my mindset.  

I ordered "pregnenolone" from Amazon as a "stop gap" if my progesterone prescription does not arrive before I run out of pills.  It isn't ideal but it can help with perimenopause symptoms until my actual medication arrives.  Although I ordered my refill in what I thought was plenty of time before Christmas, somehow, the medication is lost/delayed. 

Regarding the inherited items, I hold my horses and wait for my financial advisor to get back from vacation next week. I've had these items for 10 years and only recently decided to seek advice on what to do with them so waiting is NOT a big deal.

For the new prescription; I accept that processing new prescriptions take time and I'm the one who submitted the request a couple days before the end of 2025. 

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens -- Ecclesiastes 3:1*

I can look at what has gone well. We had bad weather here both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.  I committed to Crossfit classes on both days. Although the roads weren't in good shape, our county wasn't under a snow emergency so this buttercup "sucked it up" and prayed my way to the gym and back both those days. We had ice on New Year's Day and I actually put my Jeep into "low four wheel drive" which is four wheel drive used at low speeds.  I went 15 mph on my drive to the gym.  While at the gym, the sun came out and more people got out on the roads so they cleared up.  I didn't need to four wheel drive on the way home and actually got up to 20 mph.  All this to say that the Good Lord got me to the gym and back safely both those days.  My husband went running around those days and God kept him safe, too.

My transition back to Crossfit is going well although it certainly hasn't been easy.  Two of four workouts this week were partner workouts and I was blessed to have great partners - my friends Nancy and Jeanine. The workouts taxed muscles and produced soreness.  I know this is making my muscles stronger. The workouts also got my heart pumping so I'm working on the cardiovascular endurance that I'm wanting to improve.

True serenity begins when we release our need to control everything and place our trust in God. Scripture reminds us that peace is not found in perfect circumstances, but in a surrendered heart. When we accept what we cannot change, we make room for God’s grace to work within us. When we ask for courage, God supplies strength beyond our own. And when we seek wisdom, He gently guides us to discern the difference.

As we live one day at a time, God’s peace guards our hearts, steadying us in uncertainty and anchoring us in hope. Stillness before Him becomes the place where serenity grows—not from having all the answers, but from trusting the One who does.

Resources:

I learned The Serenity Prayer is attributed to Reinhold Niebuhr according to Marquette University.

Serenity Prayer Image from Pray Ray Prayer Journal.

*Bible Verse from Bible Gateway

SEO Optimization using ChatGPT