Day 68 : Shame, Distraction, and Despair: My Journey Through Addiction

### Self-Forgiveness Statements

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to react with painful emotions and thoughts and feel like a failure each time I fall into my old addiction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to react with despair when I fall into my old addiction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to react with the emotion of shame when I fall into my old addiction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to think and participate in the thoughts of "I am a failure" as a result of trying to transcend this addiction but falling back into it.

I forgive myself that I have not accepted and allowed myself to see, realize, and understand that emotions and thoughts of despair only serve to close all doors and possibilities for me to live a life that is best for all life and to transcend this addiction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to be overwhelmed by intense emotions and thoughts that make me feel like a failure when I fall into my old addiction again.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to seek out ways to escape and distract myself instead of facing and dealing with the shame and despair.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to criticize myself and feel a deep disappointment after falling back into my old addiction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to, when and as I fall into my old addiction, think and participate in thoughts of "I'm a failure," "I'm a loser," and "I will never succeed in transcending this old addiction."

### Self-Commitment Statements

When and as I notice myself falling into the pattern of reacting with painful emotions and thoughts, I commit myself to stop and breathe. I realize that these reactions do not define me and that I have the power to change my response.

When and as I feel the urge to escape and distract myself after experiencing shame and despair, I commit myself to face these emotions directly. I will explore the reasons behind these feelings and work on understanding and resolving them.

When and as I catch myself criticizing myself and feeling disappointed after falling into my old addiction, I commit myself to be compassionate and understanding with myself. I will remind myself that making mistakes is part of the learning process and that I am capable of change.

When and as I experience thoughts of "I'm a failure," "I'm a loser," or "I will never succeed in transcending this addiction," I commit myself to challenge and replace these thoughts with supportive and constructive self-talk. I will affirm my potential for growth and my commitment to overcoming this challenge.

When and as I feel overwhelmed by intense emotions and thoughts, I commit myself to ground myself in the present moment and seek practical ways to address the situation. I will engage in activities that support my well-being and reinforce my commitment to overcoming my addiction.

When and as I recognize the cycle of addiction, distraction, and resurfacing emotions, I commit myself to break this cycle by taking proactive steps toward healing and recovery. I will seek support, create a plan of action, and consistently apply myself in my journey toward transcendence.

I commit myself to continually work on building self-trust and self-confidence, understanding that this process requires patience and perseverance. I will celebrate my progress, no matter how small, and remain dedicated to my growth and self-improvement.

### Additional Self-Forgiveness Statements

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel hopeless and stuck in a cycle of addiction, distraction, and resurfacing emotions, instead of realizing that each moment presents a new opportunity for change and self-direction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to believe that I am defined by my past actions and failures, rather than recognizing that I have the ability to learn from my experiences and create a new path forward.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to use distractions like YouTube, scrolling, and chatting as a means of avoiding facing my emotions and dealing with the underlying issues of my addiction.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to feel disconnected from my well-being, as I continually repeat the cycle of addiction and distraction, instead of prioritizing self-care and healthy coping mechanisms.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to suppress my emotions through distractions, rather than confronting and processing them in a constructive manner.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to think that escaping my emotions through distractions will solve the problem, instead of understanding that true resolution requires addressing the root causes.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to judge myself harshly for experiencing shame, despair, and other negative emotions, rather than embracing these feelings as a natural part of the human experience that can be worked through.

I forgive myself that I have accepted and allowed myself to doubt my ability to overcome this addiction, instead of trusting in my capacity for growth and change.

### Additional Self-Commitment Statements

When and as I feel hopeless and stuck in the cycle of addiction and distraction, I commit myself to remind myself that I have the power to change and that each new moment offers an opportunity for a different choice.

When and as I start to define myself by my past actions and failures, I commit myself to focus on the present and future, recognizing that I am not bound by my past and can choose to create a new path for myself.

When and as I find myself using distractions like YouTube, scrolling, and chatting to avoid my emotions, I commit myself to pause and check in with myself. I will ask myself what I am trying to avoid and take steps to address those feelings directly.

When and as I feel disconnected from my well-being, I commit myself to prioritize self-care and healthy coping mechanisms. I will actively seek out activities and practices that support my physical, mental, and emotional health.

When and as I notice myself suppressing emotions through distractions, I commit myself to create a safe space for myself to feel and process these emotions. I will use journaling, talking with a trusted friend, or seeking professional support as needed.

When and as I catch myself thinking that distractions will solve my problems, I commit myself to remind myself that true resolution comes from addressing the root causes. I will take actionable steps to understand and resolve the underlying issues of my addiction.

When and as I judge myself harshly for experiencing negative emotions, I commit myself to practice self-compassion and understanding. I will acknowledge these emotions as valid and part of my journey, without letting them define my self-worth.

When and as I doubt my ability to overcome this addiction, I commit myself to reinforce my belief in my potential for growth and change. I will remind myself of the progress I have made and continue to set realistic and achievable goals for my recovery.