“Brave New Ending”: An Introduction to RECO Institute’s Storytelling Blog
My relationship with hindsight is one that is familiar to most; unlike my regular eyesight that requires prescription glasses, it is a sense that has consistently been 20/20.
As often as I wish I could rewrite parts of my story, I know that previous chapters are an important part of the person I have become. Mistakes watch us move forward; memories pulse beneath the skin. Our worlds change, and our futures unfold with each new experience that we encounter.
It is the truth that surrounds our daily life. Past evolves, by the second, into the present. And we are left to fashion new versions of ourselves, equipped with the lessons we have carried with us into the here and now.
Brené Brown wrote, “When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write a brave new ending.”
How can we write that brave new ending? The power to do so comes simply from having the capability to turn the page. The bravery flows from the connections your story will inspire in others, and from the freedom and resilience that telling your story will ignite.
Telling Your Story in Recovery
We each have a story to tell.
Whether we speak about our story in front of a group, write it down, or share it with a friend, we are encouraging a healing process within ourselves that relates directly to the ownership of our experiences.
Storytelling plays a crucial role within recovery that holds many benefits. As you move through your recovery, your voice becomes rooted in the therapeutic practice of processing difficult emotions and experiences; sharing your story plays an active part in this practice.
Writing or speaking about past events in your life can often offer a different perspective on the ways in which those events have affected your present self. Your hardships carry significant meaning, and the knowledge you have gained in dealing with those hardships creates significant impact upon the person you are becoming in recovery.
As you reinforce the lessons you have learned throughout your journey, you also reaffirm the hard work you have done to maintain your sobriety. Focusing on the strides you have made serves as a foundation for even brighter days ahead, and your hopefulness serves as motivator of your strength.
The Benefits of Sharing with Others
The narrative of your experiences with addiction creates a powerful dialogue when shared with others. An individual who is earlier along in their recovery journey may be encouraged and inspired by your story. This community of storytelling, which is often practiced in group therapy sessions and meetings, allows individuals to relate to their peers and create connections that are rooted in similar goals of sobriety.
Our stories, while each different, remind us that we are not alone. When sharing your story with a group, the individuals listening on are often in different places in their lives, and have had different experiences that have shaped their perspective. The common factor remains that each individual listening on has been touched by addiction in some way, and could recognize something within your story that speaks to them.
The community formed in this environment is one of support and non-judgment. It is a space in which you can seek advice, or simply empathize with others who are on a similar path.
RECO Institute’s Commitment to Community
Storytelling is a topic I have introduced on our sister site, RECO Intensive, but one that will be heavily featured in this new space, focused on the journeys of those in recovery from addiction. It is our hope, through featuring the stories of such inspiring and resilient individuals, to connect with our community and to honor the wonderful and hard work that these individuals have done.
If you would like to share your experience here, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We look forward to hearing your story, and your brave new ending, too.