I've noticed that with recovery, as we respond to any significant loss or change in circumstances, much like with addiction, we have to be ready to change it ourselves. Part of the recovery process is that we have to choose it, want it, and be ready to adapt and accept the change. 

Even when the circumstances around us may have forced or introduced a need for change. Our unwillingness to accept the movement, our resistance, can stop, delay or hinder our recovery progress.  

No matter how much we might think or talk about this readiness, even accept our fate that it is inevitable, the actual state of readiness comes from a place of surrender. With a willingness to let go of the old and face the consequences of the uncertain and the unsure, embracing the unpredictability of the journey ahead. This might leave us prepared and ready to face our fear, lean into our pain or confront the consequences of our previous choices.

I've noticed that with addiction, we have come to understand that quite well in society. There is generally a knowing that people can only give up that addiction and accept support when they're ready. Before being ready for change, the recovery process will fail and is most likely going to result in relapse and be unsuccessful, which can cause more harm to the person struggling. 

I've realised not only for myself but when observing others, that any form of recovery can only come when we're ready. 

A natural healing process might occur with time, depending on the circumstances. The cliche, “time heals,” can be very true, since a wound is constantly wanting to mend. But the recovery process is a different story. Recovery requires a willingness to find a state of wellness beyond the mending and circumstances, and we need to participate in it, be active and engage in the process of change to make that possible.  

For example, if a bone is broken and then sets in the broken position, the break technically has healed. Time and nature have run their course; the healing does occur. But the mend may not be correct, and the rehabilitation, the wellness and health returning post-healing will not happen correctly or well enough to give back the full use of the broken and repaired bone. If they were not ready to face the pain of finding alignment, go to the effort to first prepare the circumstances and allow the healing to happen in the best possible way. The unset repair might take the patient out of a stable and natural, secure alignment. 

Responding to the circumstances of the wound and finding a new way forward (post-trauma or event) is what recovery is.

This is why recovery and healing go hand in hand, because to find ourselves again, to find that alignment, allows for the wound (the break) to heal in a more beneficial position, so that when we want to regain our life, it's stronger, stable and closer to how it was always intended to be.  Even with the break, if the break mends in an aligned position, it may even strengthen the area around that wound, preventing it from being wounded in the same way again.

Whereas, just like with that broken bone, if the wound is healed and it's not in alignment, and we try to put any pressure or weight upon that wound, we are left vulnerable and in pain.  It might affect different body parts, and we constantly have to accommodate and compensate for the weakness. 

The ill-repaired wound might actually cause us to continually go through these cycles of pain and a need for healing, when actually there's an initial recovery still required from the original wound. All the extra pressure, tension, and additional energy required are all to support that misaligned healing.

I noticed during my own experience with fibromyalgia and chronic pain, I was stuck in pain and distress for a long time. A change, the healing and recovery did not come; I had to want the process of recovery and choose to act towards it. And the trouble that we have in our current society is that it was the circumstances that would allow me the space to find and explore my recovery and alignment that caused me to stay out of alignment for longer. 

For example, I was in a lot of pain and tension, I was going through a grief process and had had a stressful, traumatic period before the flare-up. Perhaps part of me wanted time to rest, recover and be taken care of. But since there was no one to take care of me, there was an internal conflict and resistance that was causing more pain and tension.

I was told I could get support, but in exchange, I would have to do things I didn’t want to do, which added pressure and misaligned action onto a vulnerable healing wound. The promise of support, going to appointments and applying for benefits (which ultimately were denied anyway) extended the resistance period. Because I thought if I put myself through the initial and additional stress, I would get support, it made the problem worse, since it was actually out of alignment for me to do that.  

So as I went through the stress and the misalignment of this process, which was all focusing on the problem rather than seeking solutions and wellness, I was focusing on the pain, instead of what would lead to better recovery. 

Even though it was part of the process of healing, to admit that I was in pain, and that I needed support, and be prepared to make that possible, acknowledging and catering to the need for rest. The only way that recovery was possible, considering the circumstances, was to give that up and to deal with the consequences of not having the support. To fully face the pain and take responsibility for the situation ultimately helped me to find my alignment. 

Even though now I feel like I've found healing and alignment through that recovery process, it is impossible to know if I had received social and financial support, that I could have healed and recovered and found alignment again through that process with less suffering. 

This is an example of the conflict that many people have. Addicts, people struggling with a grief or trauma recovery process, with chronic illness, or any sort of identity breakdown. We have to give up the old life to heal, but also part of the recovery is to lose who we became to maintain any misalignment. This might include friends, people, places and support that were enabling the misalignment to exist.

We have to be prepared to let that all go to recover ourselves, find our correct alignment and allow ourselves to heal in a stronger position. It is not an easy process! 

Additional Support

If you are struggling to understand how alignment can support your healing or recovery journey, our Energetic Alignment Masterclass can help.

We explore how to use energy, what presents in your life and how you feel to align with wellness and the potential for better well-being to improve your health.

The Energetic Alignment Initiation brings together spiritual expansion with grounded energetic practices that create a balanced, supportive lifestyle as you evolve and grow energetically. We follow a life design process of self-exploration and deeper introspection to recover from a spiritual awakening and align with wellness as you tune into a new way of living and being, connected with self as part of nature.

The process is specially designed for beginners and is an introduction to understanding the benefits of holistic growth.

At Love School, we work through the complex process using life design and shadow work tools with an ecosystem mindset. Our course, Natural Holistic Recovery and Bundle Recovery By Design, supports a complex healing and recovery journey.

The holistic process allows you to navigate the readiness for the change through mental preparation and by making the physical and energetic changes required to find healing and be sure to choose your best alignment as you recover.

The bundle offers the best value as it brings together all our courses and content that support a recovery journey and explores life design.