Unfortunately, disappointment is a part of everyone's life at some point or another. It may be that your best friend didn't attend your birthday celebration, or maybe you didn't get that promotion. Perhaps a part of your life was changed, or you lost something in your life.
Being disappointed will happen to everyone, but if you are not careful, disappointments can engulf you and prevent you from progressing. In addiction recovery, this is a vital element to acknowledge because you don't want to get stuck in the cycle of disappointment. Healing and restoring yourself after you experience disappointments creates a lifestyle filled with possibilities and happiness.
At times there will be disappointment in your recovery journey. You may also have feelings of disappointment toward past decisions you made under the influence of substances. When things don't go your way, or you're let down, it can cause you to get frustrated or sad, which can end up making you miss out on new opportunities, creating more disappointment. Learning how to disengage from and move beyond past disappointments can prevent you from falling into this vicious cycle.
Using resources to motivate you and inspire ambition can help you work towards your ultimate goals. For example, perhaps you were let down by an experience that you had high hopes for. You may have lost someone special to you and are disappointed that person is no longer part of your life, and your heartache and pain are at an all-time high.
These situations are disappointing and frustrating, and they are not easy to overcome. Times like these are dealt best with by being upfront and honest with yourself. Try venting, reflecting, or managing future expectations to help you move beyond that disappointment. You can think back on good experiences with similar situations or fond memories with the person you lost. When you avoid dwelling on the negative aspects of the disappointment, you can allow positive things to fill your mind and get through disappointment without missing future opportunities.
During treatment, you may have learned to identify and love the core elements of yourself. Doing so helps you recognize that you deserve the good things that come to you, and the bad ones are just part of life. Those same techniques can help you get past disappointment and recognize your deepest thoughts and feelings about the situation. When you confront your feelings or the situation at hand, you have more control over your choices and reactions.
Unfortunately, many individuals get swallowed up by the disappointment cycle and feel that they have no way to handle it or deal with it. Disappointment can take over your life if you let it, but it exists to test you to see if you can find ways to move forward for future growth. While disappointment is a natural and expected part of life, there are ways to protect yourself from it, so it doesn't weigh you down.
At its core, disappointment is a result of expectations not being met satisfactorily. One way to avoid this happening is to manage your expectations about a given situation well. For example, if something you think will be exciting or fun is coming your way, don't let your imagination run wild and build your expectations so high that reality can't live up. Anticipating things too strongly can result in disappointment.
Similarly, be realistic about your limits when setting goals. In addiction recovery, you're working on a massive lifestyle overhaul, and it will take time. Don't expect things to come easily or too quickly, and don't overestimate your ability to manage problems on your own. Disappointment in yourself can be avoided by setting realistic goals and putting adequate measures in place to keep you on track.
Addiction recovery is not a simple path. When things don't work out, it's not because you've failed or because someone intended to hurt you. Disappointments and slip-ups are an opportunity to choose to be kind to yourself and move forward rather than dwelling in shame.
A great way to address disappointment is to look at the silver lining and shift your perspective. When you face disappointment, look at it as an opportunity for growth. What can you learn? What things might be waiting on the other side of disappointment that you wouldn't have thought to look for had that situation turned out the way you thought it would?
When you've experienced disappointment, it can be hard to see past it in the moment. That's why it's so important to have a support group around you who can help bring you out of low moods and discover how to move forward after facing situations that didn't go how you planned.
Disappointments can feel like monumental setbacks to your addiction recovery journey. You deserve to live a lifestyle that is filled with fulfillment and not regret. When you understand how to move past let-downs and have a strong support system with NorthStar Transitions to keep you motivated with admission and reassurance, you can be prepared to deal with disappointment. If you or someone you love struggles to come back from situations that didn't go as planned and need help moving past disappointments, NorthStar Transitions is here for you. Our compassionate and professional team will give you support and practical solutions to everyday problems you might face. Your recovery journey is not over once you leave the treatment center, which is why we believe strongly in aftercare and alumni programs. Reach out to our team in Boulder, Colorado, today to get your life on track and move past disappointment. Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400.
