One day at a time is a familiar phrase for anyone in recovery.

Looking out from a place of addiction to the monumental task in front of you is daunting. I know that the struggle didn’t always seem worth the effort when I was still deciding to dump addiction for good. The idea of one day at a time helped me immensely.

Breaking any task down into small steps is key to success. But recovering from addiction is different than most tasks because there is no end. You will always be in recovery and should always be proud to announce what day you are on. We have all gotten to our current number moving forward one day at a time.

Part of the odaat philosophy is that it is part of never giving up. You are staying vigilant but you only have to see today as the goal. It is key to preventing yourself from getting overwhelmed.

Even though I am on year 40 of being sober I have to make the decision every day. Somedays it’s as easy as breathing, as a heartbeat, I do it without conscious thought. Other days it is a more tangible decision, like getting out of bed, something I have to actively choose. Having chosen to stay sober for decades helps me make that decision but there is a pull somedays that I think we would all do well to remember as we move forward.

I don’t want to give false hope that one day you will be free and clear of it all, temptation can surprise you at any time. Everyone who knows me knows that there have been very stressful events and memories that awaken that voice in my head suggesting I give in to temptation. One day at a time speaks to me as an important phrase at the beginning of the journey and throughout. All we can do is face today and do our best to end up ahead.

Please note: This blog post is to be used for inspirational use only, and not to be used as a substitute for medical advice. Quitting an addiction is fantastic, but it’s also important to know the safest methods for quitting your specific addiction, while minimizing any withdrawal effects.