I have been in recovery from anorexia now for over 15 years.
Fifteen years. I’ve almost been in recovery for more of my life than I’ve not been in recovery.
So to say that I know the ins and outs and ups and downs is, well…quite the understatement.
I can sit here and personally attest to the fact that recovery is a journey. One with detours and restarts, mountain tops and triumphant victories.
And having seen it all, I’ve come to find that there is one phrase – one piece of advice – that has held true, no matter if it was Day One of recovery, or Day 10,001.
And that was a small nugget of wisdom given to me by my mother, when I was on the cusp of recovery.
Just do the next right thing.
There are so many things in this life that can overwhelm us. And during recovery, that is absolutely, 100% the case.
Particularly in the beginning phase, when you’re faced with gaining weight, supplement increases, gaining weight, out growing your “comfort clothes,” trying to make wise social and life path decisions in regards to protecting your recovery. It seems like all of a sudden, life is coming at you at 5,000 MPH, and you’re just sitting there trying to get through the plate of food in front of you that you’re terrified of.
Just do the next right thing.
Whether that’s finishing your supplement. Whether that’s breathing through anxiety post-meal. Whether that’s returning a phone call or going out with friends, even though you’re feeling the urge to isolate.
Just do the next right thing.
When you take life by the “bite-size” — no pun intended…things seem a lot more manageable.
Baby step by baby step, pretty soon you’ll realize you’re not just walking, but running full speed ahead, and you’ve gone so much further that you could have ever imagined.
God never gives us more than we can handle. And when we can view life from a place of trust in His goodness, and His protection and peace, then things become much more manageable.
Which only grows over time.
Still today, 15 years in, I’m still trusting in that mantra of “just doing the next right thing.”
Perhaps not for finishing my meal or resisting ED-behavior urges. But for everyday moments in life.
When it comes to decisions, big and small. Choices I’m faced with. Life path guidance.
Just do the next right thing.
What would Jesus have me do, right now in this very moment.
It turns out, when you keep focused on Him, and doing what He would guide you to do at that very moment in time, you can rest in the peace that you’re following His will.
I don’t know about you, but I definitely needed a reminder of that today, in this very moment.
May today, and this coming weekend, we all may take life one moment at a time, remaining focused on Jesus and modeling our lives after Him.
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18 responses to “Recovery Advice that is True on Day 1, and Day 10,001”
“Just do the next right thing.” Amen!
thank you so much! glad this resonated with you! Hugs and love xox
Caralyn, you expressed pure wisdom saying to focus on Jesus and do the right thing! ❤️🤗
thank you so much! Sometimes the simplest solution is the best! and we can totally and completely trust in HIM! Hugs and love xox
I read your wonderful blog for various years and requested one of your books and your digital book to show me better writing for a blog. BBB, you are marvellous! I can’t help but return tonight to give my good wishes that you’re as yet okay!
I’m a Canadian man who is forty-five and one half years old today, a March baby.
oh my gosh Odell, this is such a kind comment….thank you, my friend, for your wonderful support. I have so enjoyed our friendship over the years! And happy half birthday! Hugs and love xox
17 years of codependency recovery and this little mantra still plays in my head especially during the hard times. You are an inspiration!
thank you Terri for sharing that. and congratualtions on 17 years! that is really something to celebrate! Hugs and love xox
You so beautiful Caralyn I like you
thank you
[…] Recovery Advice that is True on Day 1, and Day 10,001 […]
thank you Tonya for the link up! Hugs and love xox
That’s really good advice. And I don’t think its limited to just recovery. I think its true to our whole life in general. If we would all just do the next right thing, the world would be a better place.
–Julx
Thank you Julx! you’re right – i think it can be applied to life itself! amen to that! hope you have a wonderful weekend! Hugs and love xox
Your recovery has parallels with my physical recovery, which I can appreciate! The first time I got on my feet in the hospital was mid-March, three months after I was admitted. It took two physical therapists holding me with straps and lasted less than a second before I fell back in the wheelchair. They were thrilled and I was VERY discouraged!
They knew what I had to learn; victories are measured in millimeters. Your “Do the next right thing” was my “I’ll let you know” whenever I was asked if I thought I could do something harder. It promised at least an honest effort.
Just yesterday I wasn’t sure I could finish all the exercises they were putting me through, but I did by just doing the next set, doing the next right thing!
Super post
“It turns out, when you keep focused on Him, and doing what He would guide you to do at that very moment in time, you can rest in the peace that you’re following His will.” I couldn’t agree more. The “next right thing to do” is always to set our gaze upon our loving, merciful Savior.
Just do the next right thing! Yes! Thank you for sharing Caralyn.