Sharing our past, and our personal story is perhaps the most essential part of how we connect and bond with others. For those of us who have mental health issues or have struggled with addiction, navigating how and what to share can be challenging. 

 

What if we share too little, and seem secretive? 

 

What if we share too much and overwhelm the person listening to us?

 

What if we don’t know how to share or how to speak about what happened? 

 

How do we even do it? 

 

  • If you are unsure of how to start, write your story out as much as you want to.  
  • Practice sharing your story with friends, loved ones, or trusted peers in recovery groups.
  • Speak from an empowered place, with ownership and “I” statements. 
  • Share only what you are comfortable with. You don’t owe anyone details. 
  • Check-in with yourself as you are sharing, it’s okay if you want to pause or stop. 
  • It’s okay to tell different parts of our story at different times. 
  • It’s okay to say, “I don’t feel comfortable speaking about that.” 
  • If we feel judgment while speaking, stop sharing. Don’t take criticism personally. 
  • Take pride in yourself! Focus on your accomplishments, your healing, your growth, how far you have come, and where you are going. 
  • Remember, this is your story! And your story isn’t over, keep living it! 
  • If you feel called to do so, share your story in meetings, in collectives, or at social service agencies. So many people could benefit from hearing your truth, your words, your experiences. We never know how many people our story could impact and inspire! 

 

If you are seeking a space to address and heal from issues related to mental health and addiction, contact us at Alma Loma. We are a transformative retreat located in beautiful Georgetown, Texas. We offer residence, individualized treatment, recovery groups, and many other healing modalities to empower you on your path to health and well-being.

We strive to fully support the whole you, so that you can feel secure in your journey, and that you can share your story from a place of pride. For more information, or to take the next steps, contact us at 866- 457-3843.