Recovery Help : Updated on January 21

Below are some exercises, encouraging words, affirmations, fill in the blanks, etc. that my counselor and books have helped me to learn. They have been a help to me and I hope they are to you. I will be adding more and more on over time so keep coming back!


Basic Human Rights- these are rights that every person has. If you are feeling low or don't feel like you have a place, read these over and take them to heart. 
1 The right to have an express your own feelings and opinions.
2 The right to be trated with respect.
3 The right to feel and express anger.
4 The right to say "no".
5 The right to set your own limits and priorities.
6 The right not to live up to other people's expectations of you.
7 The right not to be "Superman," "superwoman," "superboss," "Supermpther," etc.
8 The right to be trated with courtesy and respect.
9 The right to ask for what you want and have your needs be as important as the needs of other people.
10 The right to get what you pay for.
11 The right to ask for help.
12 The right to ask that others change their behaviors that violate your own rights and to have a preference about how others act.
13 The right to make mistakes.
14 The right not to be brilliant, attractive, slim, and witty.
15 The right to privacy.
16 The right to forgive yourself.
17 The right to forgive others.
18 The right to change your mind.
19 The right to not feel responsible for others' feelings and behaviors.
20 The right to choose not to assert yourself.

Sentence Completion- complete the sentences below frequently. It helps to know what you are feeling in order to gain a perspective on how to resolve issues.
I enjoy...
I am confused about...
My favorite activity is...
My greatest wish is...
What makes me special is...
I am unhappy about...
My father...
My mother...
Some people...
Some people...
Happiness...
One thing that I have lost is...
The best thing about my job (or school) is ...
At night...
When I am alone...
I would like to forgive...
I wish others would see me as...
Many times I have tried...
I have been suprised about...
The thoughts that are hard to let go are...
My best trait is...

Writing My Eulogy- this has helped me to really realize what I want out of my life. I would highly suggest this to anyone out their who is looking for purpose in their life. 
Theory: Living with an awareness of death does not have to be depressing. rather, it can help clients re-prioritize their actions in everyday life and jar them into getting their priorities straight in light of the fact that we do not come out of this world alive! In facing death and what we hope to be remembered for, we can better live our lives with our goals in mind.

Implementation: Have you client (you) write hi/her own eulogy. Have them (you) answer, "what really is important to you?" "What would you like to be remembered for?" "How are your choices now in life reflecting your most lofty goals and priorities?" This can be done in a geroup or individual setting. After doing so, ask how can priorities be changed so as to incorporate the concepts from the eulogy?

Processing: This powerful exercise is not for the individual who is suicidal, but rather the individual who can benefit from self-discovery and self-awareness.