How do you keep track of what you have to do each day? Some people keep a physical calendar. Others rely on online tools. And plenty of people probably do both. No matter your approach, you are likely pretty reliant on your calendar. After all, keeping track of what you are obligated to do on any given day is important at work, at home, and in your so-called “free” time.
Despite the essential nature of our calendars, we very seldom schedule any time to think about our schedules. We just add the next responsibility to the list and refer to it to help us be in the right place at the right time.
But if you are a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, taking the time to really think about how you are spending your time can be a valuable exercise. Let’s take a deeper dive into the ways our calendars can be useful in recovery.
Take a Basic Inventory of Activity
How full is your calendar? Odds are that it is stuffed with various activities and responsibilities. For a person in recovery, it can be worthwhile to take a long look at your calendar to see if the amount of activity can be reduced. Admittedly, the answer may be no, but it is still worth really looking at how many demands are made on your time.
Why? Because a busy schedule is likely a schedule that comes with quite a bit of stress. And high levels of stress can be a danger to your recovery. So, if there are meetings that could be emailed on your schedule, that might be an opportunity to make a change. If you have to regularly pick up your kids from activities, it might be worth seeing if you can share the driving duties with another parent whose child also participates. If your weekend chore list is impossibly long, you might want to consider identifying a couple of things you will tackle on any given day so that you feel less overwhelmed.
You can think about your time like you think about your money. There is only so much available, and so you have to make wise decisions about how you spend it. And finding some room in your current schedule might make some space for some activities that must be on your calendar in recovery.
Make Sure to Schedule These Activities
When you are in recovery from a substance use disorder, there are certain activities that simply must be on your calendar.
At the top of the list? Your 12-Step or other recovery program meetings. Participating in these meetings is an important way to get ongoing support for your recovery—and gives you the opportunity to support others, too. It can be all too tempting to let these meetings fall off your schedule in favor of something else, but we strongly encourage you to make them a high priority.
Next, you should intentionally carve out some time for your favorite hobby—and if you do not have a favorite hobby, you should try a few out until you find something you truly enjoy. Having a hobby might seem like a luxury, but when it comes to lowering your stress and supporting your ongoing recovery, an engaging activity that you do regularly is a wonderful practice. And—as long as it does not involve drugs or alcohol—any hobby will do. Prioritize the activity by putting it in your calendar.
We also encourage you to build time with friends and family into your schedule. Building a network of supportive network of connections is not just enjoyable. These social connections support your recovery, too. Time spent with friends and family is often a victim of our busy schedules; etching it into your calendar can ensure you do not let these important times fade away.
Again, the things we have listed here are often the first things that fall victim to our busy schedules. That is why it is so helpful—and so important—to put them in your calendar. Your calendar is, in the end, a list of your priorities, and recovery meetings, hobbies, and quality social time should all be among your priorities in recovery.
Schedule a Life-Changing Transformation
If you are struggling with drugs or alcohol, now is the time to make a change. At Wooded Glen Recovery Center—located in Henryville, Indiana—we can help facilitate that change. Recognized as one of the best substance use recovery centers in the country, Wooded Glen provides medically supervised detoxification and follows it up with a rehabilitation program personalized to help you prepare for success in recovery. And we provide ongoing support as your recovery journey gets underway.
We encourage you to clear your schedule to make space for treatment. The change in your life will be truly transformative—and that is undeniably worth your time. When you are ready to get started, we are ready to help.