The Pros and Cons of Nostalgia in Recovery

Learning When to Hold On

At the same time, it’s vital not to banish your entire previous identity just because of the challenges you faced. You’re going to make good and bad decisions throughout your whole life, and remembering to embrace the good ones is just as important as learning from the bad ones. 

Very few parts of recovery are set in stone. If you find that maintaining a certain romantic relationship, working a specific job, or socializing with a particular group of people is integral to your happiness, it’s entirely possible to find a way to make it work without compromising your sobriety.

The important thing is to be honest with yourself about why you want to hold on. Including positive elements from your past when intentionally building your new life has far greater potential to be harmonious with your priorities than using old familiar comforts as a safety net or crutch to make these changes less scary. 

Of course, you are always subject to bias, especially when it comes to sentimental attachments; for complete transparency, consult with a healthcare provider, counselor, or recovery resource who has your best interests at heart.

Nostalgia can even play a direct role in forming your new lifestyle. It’s not uncommon for people in the early stages of recovery to feel the need to “punish” or “correct” themselves upon recognizing the errors of their ways, especially after what may have been a prolonged period of destructive behavior. 

While you shouldn’t be overly hard on yourself, you do have the opportunity to use your past as a barometer for your present. As you encounter challenging situations, forks in the road, or circumstances similar to ones you’ve faced before, keep the old you in mind. 

With some work, asking yourself, “What would the old me do in this situation?” can become a valuable tool for finding a different, more positive path this time around. Don’t just relegate your past to the dustbin of history — learn from it by actively making new decisions.

As you navigate your new life, strive to strike a balance between learning from your mistakes and holding on to the parts of yourself that serve you well. Be patient as you rebuild yourself, as recovery is a lifelong journey that can affect you at the deepest levels of your identity. A truly effective approach will treat the person, not just the collection of symptoms. We take a fully integrative approach to recovery at Cornerstone Healing Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Using evidence-based therapy modalities, holistic services, and personal support designed for your individual needs, our goal is to set you up for success. Recreate your place in the world by combining the best of your past with the new mindset of your present. Recovery is transformation, not substitution; take what you like most about yourself and grow it into a lifestyle of health and commitment. Call (800) 643-2108 to learn more.