She Recovers Everyday

Showing Up in My Recovery

September 12, 2026


Some days all that I've got to give others in recovery is my presence. Being a mature woman (well, in years anyway) with many decades of recovery behind me, I know that sometimes people expect that when I open my mouth in a recovery meeting or gathering, earth-shattering wisdom will come out.

Although I think I do have some interesting—maybe even important—things to share about recovery occasionally, it's not because I'm older or have been doing things longer; it's because all of us in recovery are interesting and important. We show up for each other so that we can hear what we each have to say, because all of our words have meaning, and our stories are for sharing.

One of my favorite things to do is attend a recovery meeting (like a She Recovers meeting online or an in-person She Recovers Sharing Circle or a Narcotics Anonymous meeting) and say nothing. Not raise my hand.

Respond, "Thanks for asking, but I'm just going to listen. Thank you." Then I settle into being present, listening to all the wisdom that others have to share.

Showing up in humility is an indicator of growth in recovery.


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