In the past few months, I have been reminiscing about my recovery. It’s astounding! Since I’ve started writing in this blog again, I’ve been reading some of my old entries. My recovery is astonishing! I have seen dark places. I have been to the edge of the abyss, and I have looked in and escaped.

What seems clear to me today is that recovery is for everyone! Absolutely everyone can recover. Each of our recoveries will have its own identity. They will each be unique, but we can each recover. Everyone can recover.

The patient in seclusion in a psychiatric ward can recover. The adolescent experiencing the beginning of symptoms can recover. The young adult just starting independent life who is struck by psychosis can recover.

Recovery is for everyone!

I want to share my story. It is the most valuable thing I have, and perhaps hearing it, some person may find a flicker of hope to ignite their own journey to recovery.

This is the point where I am dumbfounded. I don’t know how to start telling my story. When I try to think of ways to start, I draw a complete blank.

Do I start by trying to write a book? Do I try to write a workbook incorporating ideas that helped me? Do I use a blog?

Not only do I not know what vehicle to use to spread my story, but I also don’t know exactly what parts of my story need to be told. Basically, it’s not a complex story. I was sick, and I got help. I could list the things that helped me. I could conceivably do that in one short magazine article, but I don’t think that would do the subject justice.

I survived the darkness. I want people to feel that. I want them to understand that I know the darkness intimately.

I want them to feel the steps I took along the way in early recovery. I want them to live the joy I had when my negative inner voice went silent. I want them to hear the enthusiasm of teaching my peers about recovery.

When I sit and begin to imagine the outline, I go blank. I don’t know where to start.

I want a companion to work with me on this journey of telling my story. Someone who knows something about storytelling. I need a coach and mentor. I want someone to say, “Start here.”

Perhaps s/he’ll come. In the meantime, I’ll keep writing here. I’m glad you’re reading along with me.

Thank you.

Incidentally, this blog is 7 years old today. It’s kind of a nice milestone. I was silent for 2 years when I was busy changing my life, but I never thought of erasing the blog. I kept it safe and open for all to find. It’s fun.