True Recovery

Exercise

Go through this list, when you're in a good state of mind.

• List two or three possible ways you can see yourself using each of these. For example, under "Activities" list two (positive and productive) activities that you can see yourself doing and enjoying.
• Then prioritize the list. Number each of the things you listed. Put a "1" next to the one thing that you think would be most practical, and you'd have the most success using. Put a "2" next to the next one, and so on until you've put a number next to everything you listed.
• Finally, take a note card or small piece of paper and write down the top three. Keep this in your wallet, purse, cell phone case, or somewhere that would be convenient to you, and handy when you hit a rough patch.

Practice Assignment

Over the next week or so, when you feel yourself getting upset, or tempted to indulge in some self-destructive behavior, grab the list first and try one of them. You may be able to get yourself out of that state of mind the first time, but chances are, you'll have to try different things until you find something that works.

Also, begin a journal. Each night, spend a few moments before bed and jot down how your mood was that day, and if you hit any crises. Were you able to try anything from your list? If so, what did you try and how effective was it? Is there something you can do next time to make it work better?

As a useful reference, you may wish to check out the Crisis Survival Cheat Sheet.

When you're ready to move on go to: Section 8 - Self-Soothing with Five Senses.

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