One of the easiest things for us to feel toward our alcoholic or addict is resentment for time lost. Time lost with children during their golden years of growing up. Time lost in our own golden years as professionals.
We miss out on so much with all the chaos of the disease interrupting and distracting us from enjoying life, watching our children grow, and enjoying every moment. Instead, it can be constant exhaustion and struggle.
“I would have accomplished a lot more sooner.”
VIC community member Patty, recently shared how life might be different for her if she never met this disease. She said, “I would have accomplished a lot more sooner. I would have been more trusting. I would have believed in myself.” Many of us may wonder and feel the same.
But when our loved one does get better, and we begin to feel what “normal” feels like again, how do we digest that time has passed, and how do we move on without being bitter of so much loss?
How do we handle the heartache of the dreams and goals for ourselves that may have been shattered or delayed, and we need to begin anew? How does one cope with these understandable feelings of loss, anger, or resentment?
One way is to find gratitude.
Gratitude in the small things that make you smile, or the food that is on your table, or the roof over your head. Starting with one step of gratitude can shift your whole mindset from resentment to gratitude, just one short step at a time.