Addiction—whether it involves substances, behaviors, or habits—can feel like an uphill battle. The urges, the triggers, the relentless pull to give in... it’s overwhelming, like trying to diet while trapped in a bakery. But understanding the mechanics of addiction, specifically recognizing and managing urges, can empower you on the road to recovery. Let’s break it down and explore practical ways to address these challenges. As always, with a touch of humor.

Ever feel like your emotions are a tangled mess, and words just don’t cut it? Maybe you're in recovery, trying to heal, or just having one of those days (anyone else listen to Limp Bizkit back in the day?). If talking about your feelings gives you a knot in your stomach, worry not my Superstars, I’ve got a solution for you: use a color exercise instead.

Your emotions have a whole rainbow of colors of their own, and tapping into them can be a surprisingly powerful way to check in with yourself without overthinking. So, grab some paper, colored pencils (or, whatever markers you can find in your junk drawer), and let’s get expressive.

As you work on establishing healthy boundaries in your relationship, it’s important to reflect on your emotional needs and set limits that protect your mental health. I created this workbook to help partner’s navigate the challenging world of boundaries in your relationship with partner.

Let’s be real: boundaries can feel as fun to set as putting together the breadbox I got from Amazon yesterday—no instructions, random pieces, and the possibility of becoming frustrated on the floor. But if you’re navigating recovery from addiction and healing, boundaries aren’t just helpful—they’re essential. Think of them as your GPS, steering you away from the potholes and speedbumps and toward a healthier, happier life that calms the chaos we sometimes feel in our brains.

Today, in another installment of my series on triggers, I focus on one of my topics: boundaries! You’ll rock at boundary-setting by using these tips and the attached worksheet. (Here are the first , second and third posts).

Sometimes, our feelings need a timeout.

Recovery is like a rollercoaster—it has its ups and downs and unexpected twists that can leave you feeling dizzy. But one thing that can help you stay grounded is doing an emotional check-in.

It’s super easy to forget how you're actually feeling until your emotions are like adding Mentos to a bottle of Coke; they explode. That’s where an emotional check-in comes in—it’s like hitting “pause” on life to see what’s really going on inside without judgment (and without throwing your hands up and screaming at the sky).

Think of it as a quick pit stop for your feelings, designed to keep you on track in your recovery journey. Here’s a simple guide to get you started.

Welcome back my Superstars! Have you ever been blindsided by a trigger? One moment you’re fine, and the next, you’re spiraling into a sea of emotions. I’ve been there, and today I’m sharing how to stay grounded when those moments hit.

I’m continuing with the trigger series with my third installment on triggers. (Here are the first and second posts).

As you work on establishing boundaries, take a moment to reflect on what you truly need for your own emotional wellbeing. This is about creating clarity for yourself and expressing these needs to your partner in a respectful way.

If you’re considering a boundary agreement, remember that it’s okay for it to change as your relationship and individual recoveries evolve. Some couples include specific consequences for boundary crossings, while others don’t. Ultimately, you'll know what works best for your relationship. Here’s what worked—and didn’t work—for me after my husband’s disclosure. (You can swap out the unhealthy/unwanted behavior for your needs).

Happy holidays, Superstars! Today, I’m sharing the companion workbook to last week’s blog post about emotional and outside triggers in addiction recovery. My apologies for not posting sooner. It took longer to create than I anticipated. I hope you find it helpful.

On a side note, I’m spending time with family over the next few weeks. I have podcasts scheduled through New Year’s Eve but may not have time for further blog posts or podcasts until mid-January. I’ll continue the series upon my return. I hope everyone enjoys the holiday season and stays safe!