What are you looking forward to today?

“If it wasn’t for this group, I probably wouldn’t have even left the house today.”

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard clients tell me this, but each time makes me smile.

The first reaction I receive from clients when I mention group support is usually hesitation. They don’t feel that they can contribute, or the idea of sharing their personal stories is too overwhelming. “Can’t I get better on my own? Do you really think I’m ready?”

Sometimes it takes a few sessions before they speak up. They see that the other group members are in similar places with similar struggles, and their comfort level grows. Connections begin to grow naturally.

At some point they miss a session. When the return the following week, the other members ask, “Is everything okay? We missed you last time.” My clients start to realize not just the importance of group to their recovery but also the importance of their presence to the group.

Group becomes something that they look forward to, something that helps them get moving even on the toughest days. The connections to other group members are as valuable to their healing progress as any words said in an individual session. Many clients are more likely to do something for others before they will do something for themselves, but group gives them the opportunity to do both.

What are you looking forward to today? What makes you excited to greet the world outside of your front door? We all have days when staying in bed seems like a good idea. But before you pull the covers over your head, give these strategies a try:

• Make a list of things that you look forward to each day – your connection with friends, a healthy routine, helping others, appreciating nature’s beauty, whatever it is for you. Place your list somewhere you see every day, first thing in the morning.

• Make a commitment to show up for yourself or for someone else. Make a big note in your calendar. Think about it ahead of time and why it’s important to you.

• Keep a gratitude journal. Write down one thing you are thankful for each morning. When you are having a rough day, come back to that one thing.

• Focus on one thing at a time. Our “to do” lists can become so long that we anxiously avoid doing anything at all. Don’t try to do or think about everything at once. Put all your energy into one thing and see what happens.

• Forgive bad days. They are part of the process. But don’t feel that you need to wait until your alarm clock goes off tomorrow morning to start fresh. You don’t need a new day, just a new moment – and each moment is new.