Awaken Recovery

09/06/2025

🌟 Six Years, One Mission 🌟

This September marks two significant milestones: the start of National Recovery Awareness Month 💜 and the 6th anniversary of the Awaken Recovery Foundation serving Cambridge, MD, and its surrounding communities.

For six years, we’ve had the honor of walking alongside women on their recovery journeys by providing safe housing, additional resources, and hope for a brighter tomorrow. None of this would be possible without our incredible staff, residents, supporters, and community partners who believe in our mission.

We also want to take a moment to acknowledge our Executive Director, Sean Baker. His leadership and tireless dedication have guided Awaken Recovery from day one. While he isn’t one to seek the spotlight, we know this program wouldn’t be what it is today without his heart and commitment. 💜

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you all for being part of this journey with us. Here’s to six years of growth, hope, and healing, and to the many more ahead.

08/11/2025

It’s time to get it go 🤍 from my book ‘you were always growing’ find it here: http://bit.ly/44mDaKx

08/08/2025

08/04/2025

It’s okay to change your path 🖤 from my book ‘you were always growing’ find it here http://bit.ly/44mDaKx

08/01/2025

There comes a moment when you're just done. Not dramatic.

Not loud. Just a quiet, exhausted knowing:
"I can’t keep living like this." 😔

Tired of the chaos. 🌀
Tired of numbing out. 💤
Tired of pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. 😶‍🌫️

That “sick and tired of being sick and tired” moment? It matters. Because it means something inside you is ready for more.

✨ More peace.
💬 More honesty.
💗 More life.

If you’re there, right on the edge of change, we see you. 👀

If you’ve already taken a step, no matter how small, we’re walking with you. 👣

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it.”
— Brené Brown

💭 What’s one thing you’re ready to let go of? Drop it below 👇 and let’s reflect together.

07/30/2025

🧘‍♀️ Wellness Wednesday: Managing Stress & Anxiety in Recovery 🌿

Stress doesn’t wait for the “right time,” and anxiety doesn’t always make sense.

And in recovery, when we’re finally feeling everything, it can be overwhelming.

But learning to care for yourself in those moments is a skill that gets stronger with practice.
You don’t need to fix everything, just support yourself through it, one step at a time.

Here are a few small but powerful ways to manage stress and anxiety when they show up:

✨ Pause and breathe. Even one intentional breath can bring you back to center.
✨ Move your body. Walk, stretch, dance it out — movement helps move emotion.
✨ Get it out of your head. Talk to someone you trust or write it down.
✨ Eat something nourishing. Your brain and body work better when they’re fed well.
✨ Give yourself permission to rest. Healing is hard work. You’re allowed to slow down.

Managing stress isn’t about having it all together; it’s about finding your tools and using them when you can.

💬 What helps you stay grounded when things get heavy? Share below what works for you; your way might help someone else today. 💛

Management

07/28/2025

🌅 Motivation Monday: Letting Go of Guilt & Shame 🌅

Guilt says “I did something bad.”
Shame says “I am bad.”
And both can keep us stuck if we’re not careful.

In recovery, it’s easy to carry the weight of the past; the things we said, the people we hurt, the choices we wish we could undo. But here’s the truth: healing doesn’t happen through punishment. It happens through compassion, honesty, and action.

You are not your worst moment.
You are not beyond repair.
And you don’t have to carry that shame forever.

This week, try offering yourself the same grace you’d give to someone you love.
Speak kindly to yourself.
Take one step forward, even if it’s a small one.
Let your actions today be part of your amends to yourself and others.

💬 What’s one thing you can let go of this week, even a little?

You're allowed to move forward. You're allowed to heal.

07/25/2025

🌅 Reflection Friday 🌅
“You can’t think your way into a new way of living…
but you can live your way into a new way of thinking.”

In recovery, it’s easy to feel stuck in our heads. Overthinking, second-guessing, and waiting to feel “ready” before we make a move.

But the truth is, change doesn’t usually start with a breakthrough thought; it starts with action.

It’s in the small, brave decisions we make each day:
🧹 Getting up when it’s hard
📞 Reaching out instead of isolating
🚶‍♀️ Taking a walk, even if it’s just around the block
🥗 Choosing a meal that nourishes us
✋ Setting a boundary when we need to

Over time, these little choices start to shift something inside. Our thoughts follow our actions. And slowly, we begin to believe in a new way of life because we’re living it.

Recovery isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about showing up. Trying again. Taking the next right step.

💛 What’s one small action you’ve taken recently that reminded you how far you’ve come?

Let’s reflect together and celebrate each other’s growth. Every step matters.

07/23/2025

🌿 Wellness Wednesday: Rediscovering Joy in Recovery Through Movement and Healing 🌿

When I first started my recovery journey, I knew something had to shift. Not just mentally, but physically too. My energy was low, my sleep was off, and I felt disconnected from myself. So I made the decision to start moving my body more.

To be honest, I wasn’t excited. I had to drag myself to the gym most days. There was no sudden motivation. Just a quiet, stubborn hope that maybe, with enough consistency, I’d start to feel better.

And over time… I did.

Movement became more than just exercise. It became a way to clear my head, process emotions, and reconnect with my body. My mood lifted. I started sleeping better. I had more energy to face the day.
The gym eventually became something I looked forward to, but not because I loved it right away. I just loved how it made me feel.

I also started fueling my body with foods that gave me lasting energy and clarity. I didn’t do it perfectly, but the more I paid attention to how I felt, the more I craved the good stuff - real food, real movement, and real self-care.

But here’s the thing: maybe the gym isn’t your thing. That’s totally okay. There are so many other ways to connect with your body and care for your mind.

Maybe it’s birdwatching with light hiking, yoga on your bedroom floor, kayaking, dancing to music in your kitchen, or just taking a walk around the block.

You don’t have to be a “fitness person.” You just have to start where you are. Just get out of your head and move your body.

Recovery gave me my time back. Learning how to take care of my body again helped me discover new ways to enjoy that time, without pressure, without shame, just small steps toward healing.

💬 What’s one way you’ve started reconnecting with yourself physically, emotionally, or otherwise? Let’s talk about it below. Every journey is different and worth celebrating. We would love to hear your story too!!!💛

07/21/2025

😅 Motivation Monday:
The Holding It Together Club, Unite!

Good morning to everyone who…
☕ Woke up tired
🧠 Overthinks everything
🍞 Ate toast over the sink and called it a win
🧼 “Showered” with dry shampoo
📱 Answered texts from 9 days ago and felt victorious
😶 Is currently avoiding feelings by reorganizing the junk drawer

Let’s be real, some Mondays we’re ready to journal, hydrate, and conquer the world.
Other Mondays? We’re just proud we put pants on. (Or didn’t. No judgment.)

Recovery isn’t always deep reflections or perfect routines.

Sometimes it’s:
“I didn’t text my ex.”
“I drank water.”
“I cancelled a plan I didn’t have the energy for.”
“I showed up, barely.”

And guess what?
That still counts.

So if today feels a little messy, awkward, or held together by caffeine and vibes, welcome. You’re not alone. You’re doing better than you think.

We see you. We get you. We are like you, too.
And we accept you exactly as you are... toast crumbs, junk drawer, and all. 💛

07/18/2025

Flip the Switch:
Recovery is a Choice You Can Be Proud Of ✨

Sobriety isn’t about sacrifice. It’s about gaining the clarity, strength, and freedom to live life on life's terms.

It’s about:
🌿 Embracing each day with renewed energy and purpose.
💡 Finding joy in moments that truly matter.
🌟 Building confidence rooted in self-awareness and growth.
🎉 Creating a life where your well-being is your greatest achievement.

Recovery is a powerful, transformative journey, one that opens the door to new opportunities, deeper connections, and lasting fulfillment.

Let’s change the conversation: sobriety is not just a challenge to overcome, but a meaningful choice to embrace.

Ready to flip the switch? Share your story or drop a 💛 if you’re inspired.

07/16/2025

✨ Midweek Check-In: Let’s Fill Our Cups ✨

Sometimes the middle of the week is the perfect time to pause, reset, and remind ourselves: we’re doing better than we think.

Here’s a simple mental health check-in you can do today to bring a little light back in:

💛 Take a few deep breaths
💛 Write down 3 things you're grateful for
💛 Go for a walk and get some fresh air
💛 Step away from your screen for 30 minutes
💛 Talk to someone who lifts your spirit

You deserve care, too. A few small choices can make a big difference in how we feel.

What’s one thing you’re doing today to take care of your mental health? Drop it below. We’d love to hear from you 💬👇