by Erin W | Jul 15, 2019 | Defining Moments, Forgiveness, Generational Change, Patriarchy, Ponderings, Things to Think About
I graduated from college in May 1995 and immediately departed the East Coast for Wyoming, where I had lined up a job cleaning cabins at a dude ranch. I had earned two degrees but had no idea what I wanted to do in the world, or what I wanted to say to the world. The... 
by Erin W | Jul 8, 2018 | Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Generational Change, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Relationships, Self Care
My 200-year present I recently heard a theory about how we each live in a 200-year span of history. You mark the beginning of your span, your “200-year present,” by thinking of the oldest person who could have held you as a baby (my great grandmother, born in 1900).... 
by Erin W | May 26, 2018 | Defining Moments, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways, Relationships, Self Care, Things to Think About
“Your birth altered my whole posture on this planet … because of you, I couldn’t die and couldn’t monster myself, either. So you were the agent of my rescue – not a job for somebody barely three feet tall.” –– Mary Karr writing about her son in Lit: A Memoir Last... 
by Erin W | May 1, 2018 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Relationships
The fallacy of the ideal mother I was a reluctant mother. Unless they are just bathed, dressed in clean pajamas and holding their own warm bottle in their tiny hands, I don’t like babies very much. Before I had my two sons, I would see moms in the Walmart with their... 
by Blog Admin | Apr 21, 2018 | Defining Moments, Entrepreneurs in Recovery, Grateful, Guest Posts, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Self Care
I’ve come to know and believe that each of us has a soul message that only we can share, and if we don’t discover this message, the world misses out on a beautiful offering. Our message is within us when we are created, and although our childhood and other life... 
by Dawn Nickel | Apr 8, 2018 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Relationships
Yesterday was my mom’s birthday. She would have been 86 years old but leukemia killed her on April 27, 2000. Most days it feels like forever since we lost her, but I still wake up once in a blue while (her saying, not sure where it came from) and forget that... 
by Erin W | Dec 3, 2017 | Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Grateful, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Relationships, Things to Think About
The truth pattern of recovery: Clarity. Rock Bottom. Acceptance. Gratitude. Lately I have developed a healthy fear of answers. Answers seem to have too much rigidity around them. Black and White. You’re Wrong, I’m Right. Answers tend to turn ugly, quickly. I much... 
by Erin W | Nov 26, 2017 | Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Grateful, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Relationships, Self Care, Things to Think About
“Relationships change.” My father-in-law’s new wife gifted me with this life truth a few months after she married into our family. I had just honestly and gently shared with her that my husband, her new son-in-law, and his brothers were feeling abandoned by their... 
by Erin W | Nov 18, 2017 | Addiction, Defining Moments, Grateful, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Self Care, Yoga and Meditation for Recovery
The post below, originally published at The Fix, was written by Rebecca Rush who attended a She Recovers retreat in Bali earlier this year. (This fantastic picture is a favorite from that trip!) “I knew something needed to change in my life and originally signed up... 
by Erin W | Nov 11, 2017 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Ponderings, Relationships, Self Care, Things to Think About
You do not have to spend too much time in recovery before the Good Things come. Refugees from a foreign land, they arrive slowly. Just one tiny, quiet Good Thing at first. Then, because word gets out that you are accepting Good Things, others follow. Faster. Bigger.... 
by Erin W | Nov 4, 2017 | Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Grateful, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings
Please help us welcome Erin W. who will be writing for and managing our She Recovers blog. She is amazing. Read on and see for yourself. ~Dawn~ The Reasons It started with Baby #1. I like a routine; a schedule. And I read that babies do, too. So every night at... 
by Blog Admin | Jun 28, 2017 | Addiction, Defining Moments, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Relationships, Self Care, Things to Think About, Workaholism
Guest Blog Post by Caroline McGraw Oh honey, I know what you’re like. You are a driven, high-achieving woman trying so very hard to be perfect. You have a staggering helping of responsibilities on your plate. You’re the conscientious planner, the purposeful... by Blog Admin | May 17, 2017 | Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Entrepreneurs in Recovery, Grateful, Guest Posts, Kudos for Recovery Warriors, Ponderings, Recovery Coaching, Recovery Pathways, Resources for Recovery, Self Care, Things to Think About
I felt the crack split slowly beneath my feet as it gave way and I plunged into the deep freezing water. Grab my camera! I shouted as the weight of my wool coat got heavy and my body began to sink into the lake. I looked up at my friend Rae standing just a few feet... 
by Blog Admin | Mar 19, 2017 | Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Did you know?, Guest Posts, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Self Care
The baby is crying, the dog is barking, your husband is snoring, and you look over at the clock and realize you went to bed just five hours ago. You grab the baby; let the dog out, and sleepwalk to the coffee pot. The dishes from the night before are still piled high... by Blog Admin | Mar 12, 2017 | Addiction, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Self Care
Years ago when I heard people got massages, or went to meditation, or took a “me” day I would scoff. How do they have time or money to do that? Seems like a complete waste of time to me. No one takes bubble baths in their 20s. Sure a massage might be nice, but it’s a... 
by Blog Admin | Feb 12, 2017 | Addiction, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Relationships, Things to Think About
No matter how far down the road to recovery I go, I find myself from time to time, in a hole. Or, I notice that I am acting out in behaviors that are unhelpful to me. When these things become apparent to me I nearly always discover it’s because my balance is... 
by Dawn Nickel | Jan 26, 2017 | Defining Moments, Entrepreneurs in Recovery, Grateful, Guest Posts, Kudos for Recovery Warriors, Moms in Recovery, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways, She Recovers Happenings
Note from Dawn and Taryn: We met Kelly in August, 2014 when she attended her first retreat with us. She has since become a close friend and a leader in our community. We are so excited to introduce her here and in the not too distant future will welcome her as a... by Blog Admin | Jan 13, 2017 | Addiction, Alcoholism, Defining Moments, Entrepreneurs in Recovery, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways, Resources for Recovery
We don’t break habits; we replace behaviours. This truth is at the heart of everything I have done since getting sober. From the moment my drinking life finally came crashing down around me, I have gone about the business of creating an entirely different... 
by Dawn Nickel | Dec 13, 2016 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways, Relationships, Things to Think About
Today is my 25th wedding anniversary. Just writing that blows my mind. About 27 years ago I walked into a marathon meeting at a 12 step convention being held for recovering addicts in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada) and a male voice from the corner of the room said... by Blog Admin | Nov 13, 2016 | Defining Moments, Entrepreneurs in Recovery, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways
It is the morning of August 1st, 2002. I am 29 years old. As I lie in the fetal position, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably, I wonder how the hell my life will ever, ever go on without alcohol. I know I have to stop. My life has fallen apart. I know I have no choice.... 
by Blog Admin | Oct 30, 2016 | Did you know?, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways, Things to Think About
I had the honor and privilege of studying Spiritual Psychology when I was 6 months sober. It was a 2 year Master’s Degree program that catapulted my recovery into full gear. By learning the principles of Spiritual Psychology, I was able to change my thinking and... 
by Dawn Nickel | Aug 27, 2016 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Ponderings, Things to Think About
I’m shattered. I sometimes feel like every second living breath I take (as in – half of my life) is devoted to telling anyone who will listen (or read, or view) that women can and do recover. Not just from addiction to drugs and alcohol but to a whole lot of other... 
by Blog Admin | Aug 22, 2016 | Guest Posts, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways, Things to Think About
GUEST POST BY ALAINA BASKERVILLE-BRIDGES Last night my thirteen-year-old daughter’s Snapchat app bumped her out of her account. She clomped down the stairs to the living room where I had just settled in to watch the second season of Homeland on Netflix, and she thrust... by Dawn Nickel | Aug 2, 2016 | Did you know?, Ponderings, She Recovers Happenings
Only a few sleeps ago since we launched She Recovers in NYC and I’m feeling kind of tired. Happy tired but still. Also feeling like: 1. This project has chosen us. 2. The overwhelming support that we have received related to the event is overwhelming. 3. We... 
by Blog Admin | Apr 11, 2016 | Defining Moments, Guest Posts, Ponderings, Things to Think About
Very early in my recovery I came to understand and accept that my life had become completely unmanageable and it was falling apart because of my addictions. I saw – finally and clearly – that regardless of all the reasons or excuses for why I had ended up in that... 
by Taryn Strong | Jan 19, 2016 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Ponderings
How does one capture a life-changing month of travel such as I just experienced? Hell if I know but I’ll give it a try. Let me preface this by saying that I am a recovering codependent – with a rather long history of being afraid of doing things on my own. A month of... 
by BoutiqueByDesign | Nov 11, 2015 | Guest Posts, Ponderings, Recovery Pathways
I write this guest blog for She Recovers with a great deal of gratitude in my heart. I’ve followed Dawn and Taryn’s work for quite some type and I am beyond impressed by what they have done as ambassadors of recovery. When I met them online three years ago I... 
by Dawn Nickel | Oct 31, 2015 | Defining Moments, Grateful, Ponderings, Things to Think About
In June 2005, I almost died when a cancerous tumor perforated my colon. I was quite sick for several months, and I had a lot of time to reflect on how fortunate I was to have survived. At around the same time, my friend Donna gave me a framed print of a poem written... 
