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From Shame to Self-Worth
Advance Minds Blog
A safe space to explore subjects within the community such as mental health, substance abuse and personal identity.
Our safe space also provides the opportunity for real individuals to express their hardships and success through writing.
The voice that says “I’m not good enough,
Everyone in recovery deals with an inner critic — that harsh internal voice that whispers
This voice often comes from past trauma, unmet needs, or years of criticism and rejection.
It gets louder during hard times and quieter when we begin to heal.
To move forward, we must learn to challenge this voice — and replace shame with compassion.
🧱 How Shame Fuels Addiction
Shame is the deep belief that something is wrong with who we are — not just what we’ve done.
It can show up as:
😶 Hiding your true self
🚪 Avoiding connection
🔁 Repeating self-destructive behaviors
💤 Numbing feelings through substances
⚠️ Sabotaging anything that feels “too good”
Shame keeps people stuck in silence and secrecy.
It convinces them that they’re broken beyond repair — even when healing is possible.
🧠 Rewiring the Inner Dialogue
Recovery isn’t just about stopping substances — it’s about changing how you speak to and treat yourself.
Steps to soften the inner critic:
🔎 Name it — “That’s my shame voice, not the truth.”
💬 Challenge it — “Would I say this to a friend?”
❤️ Replace it — “I’m learning, and that’s enough.”
📖 Journal it — Writing helps separate facts from feelings.
🌿 Pause it — Practice mindfulness or deep breathing when shame hits.
With practice, you’ll start noticing how often the voice lies — and how often you’ve believed it.
🧘 Building Real Self-Worth
Self-worth doesn’t come from achievements or others' approval. It grows when we:
🌱 Make daily choices that align with our values
💬 Speak kindly to ourselves, even after mistakes
👥 Surround ourselves with people who see our potential
🛠 Set and honor boundaries
📚 Learn, grow, and forgive at our own pace
Each time you show up for yourself, even in small ways, your sense of worth strengthens.
🔁 The Difference Between Guilt and Shame
Guilt says: “I did something wrong.”
Shame says: “I am something wrong.”
Guilt can motivate positive change. Shame, on the other hand, freezes growth.
Recovery means learning to keep the lesson and release the label.
Final Thoughts ✨🧩
You are not your past.
You are not your mistakes.
You are not the voice that tells you you’re worthless.
Recovery is the process of coming back to yourself — with honesty, compassion, and a new kind of strength.
Every time you choose self-respect over shame, you rewrite the story.
And you are always worth fighting for.
