As an adult child of an alcoholic (ACoA), it’s easy to feel isolated, alone, and like no one understands what you are experiencing. However, you are far from alone. Unfortunately, alcohol use disorders are far more common in the United States and around the world than most people realize, and as a result, many families are experiencing struggles like yours!  

So, just how common are alcohol use disorders? Here’s what you need to know:

How Common Are Alcohol Use Disorders?

Millions of people in the United States suffer from an alcohol use disorder. In fact, data from the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health showed that there were 29.5 million people who had an “Alcohol Use Disorder” (AUD) in the past year alone. Of this number, the vast majority were above the age of 17, while 894,000 were minors.

Although the number of alcohol use disorders in the United States is staggering, there are millions of family members, and especially children, who are also affected by alcohol use disorders.

Check out these shocking stats from the National Association for Children of Addiction:

• Two babies are born to addicted parents in the U.S. every second of every hour of every day
• 43% of the U.S. population is exposed to alcoholism
• There are 18,000,000 children of alcoholics currently living in the U.S. 18 million, my friends. That’s just the U.S.; imagine the worldwide stats!  

As the daughter of a mother who has had an alcohol use disorder since before my birth, these numbers are devastating and bittersweet! On the one hand, it’s comforting to know I’m not alone in my experiences coping with the effects of my mother’s addiction. On the other hand, it’s so sad to know so many other people have lived through the pain.

How Do Alcohol Use Disorders Affect Families?

Alcohol use disorders not only affect the life of the alcoholic, but have an enormous, lasting impact on the lives of their family members as well. Research conducted by the CDC indicates that alcohol use disorders increase the risk of violence and other problems within families, and this is only one way that family members are negatively affected. Some of the most common ways that alcohol use disorders impact families include:

• Financial problems: Alcohol use disorders often result in financial problems for alcoholics and their families. These financial problems may come from frequently losing jobs, spending large amounts of money on alcohol, or other causes.
• Strained relationships: Those with alcohol use disorders often exhibit unhealthy patterns and behaviors that cause family members to experience fear and distrust.
• Instability: Between financial problems, erratic behavior, and other problems, alcohol use disorders often cause high levels of instability and chaos, which negatively impact the lives of family members.

These are just a few of the ways that alcohol use disorders affect families, and it’s also important to realize that many family members experience the negative impact of having a family member with an alcohol use disorder for years to come.

Where to Learn More about Alcohol Use Disorders and Their Impact on Families

National Association for Children of Addiction – U.S.: https://nacoa.org/

National Association for Children of Alcoholics – U.K.: https://nacoa.org.uk/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: https://www.samhsa.gov/

National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/

Reach Out for Help Today

Although alcohol use disorders are a prevalent issue in the United States, there is good news: there are resources and support that can help. If you or someone you know is suffering from the effects of having an alcoholic parent, it’s important to get the support you need. It is possible to heal and create the life you love! I’m living proof of it!

Start your healing journey today!

The beginner’s guide to healing for adult children of alcoholics

How are you doing with your goals this year? Are you on track? Feeling disappointed in your progress so far? I’ve been there! What if I told you there’s a way to get back on track so you can achieve your goals?

As the middle of the year approaches, it’s a great time to take a look at the goals you set in January and create a plan for the rest of the year. If you created a vision board at the beginning of the year, it might be time to make a few tweaks. Simplifying your goals is important for ensuring that you’re on track to be successful for the rest of 2023.

Related resource

How to Make a Vision Board for Adult Children of Alcoholics

For several years, when summer arrived, I felt disappointed in the progress I’d made in the year so far. Instead of setting a realistic and achievable plan to achieve my goals through the second half of the year, I often simply gave up. Now, when June arrives, I take a close look at where I am and adjust the plan. I also remind myself that the adult child of an alcoholic healing journey is a lifelong one, and some years, I make more progress than others. I never stop working on it.

Here are some tips for simplifying your goals for the second half of the year so you are more likely to achieve them:

Reflect on Where You Are Now

First, take a look at the goals you set in January. What progress have you made? Which goals are on track? Be honest about where you are now, and don’t forget to congratulate yourself for everything that you’ve accomplished so far. 

Identify Where to Readjust

After reflecting on the status of some of your goals, chances are you’ll realize you have some goals that might not be on track to be completed by the end of the year, or maybe others that just need a little realignment. Take an inventory of your goals and decide which ones might need some readjustment.

Prioritize Key Objectives

Next, it’s time to simplify. Decide which of your goals should be the priority for the rest of the year and which of your other goals might need to take a backseat until next year. Prioritizing your most important goals will help set you up for success for the rest of the year.

Set Realistic and Measurable Targets

Going forward into the second half of the year, decide on some realistic and measurable targets. While some goals might not be on track to be fully completed, you can still make progress. Take the time to think about what’s realistic for the rest of the year and set targets that you can measure to make sure you’re on track along the way.

Break Down Complex Goals Into Measurable Tasks

While having goals is essential, it’s hard to achieve goals that don’t have a plan to back them up. Break down goals that are more complex into measurable tasks. This will help ensure that you stay on track as you continue through the rest of the year.

Get Rid of Non-Essential Goals

It’s also important to limit your goals to what can be accomplished this year, which may mean letting go of some goals that are non-essential. Think about what goals are least important and wait to complete them until a later date.

Seek Support

One of the best ways to keep your goals on track is to stay accountable. Seek support and accountability from family and friends who can cheer you on.

How to Sustain It

Finally, figure out a way to sustain your goals. Create a tracking system to monitor your progress, and don’t forget to celebrate the milestones and small victories as you work toward your goals.

One of my fav books is Atomic Habits by James Clear. It has been super helpful for me in learning how to create and stick to systems that help me achieve my goals.

And above all, as you approach the second half of the year, remember to focus on self-care and healing as your first priority. Don’t be discouraged by any unmet goals–they simply mean you’re challenging yourself. Be patient with yourself and remember to be proud of yourself as you continue to work toward your goals. Healing is a journey!

Growing up with a parent who struggles with alcoholism can have a profound impact on a person’s life. These challenges can hinder your ability to achieve your dreams. However, despite the adversity, many adult children of alcoholics have risen above their circumstances to achieve remarkable success in various fields.

Today, I’m shining a spotlight on 48 famous adult children of alcoholics who have achieved their dreams, despite troubled childhoods and many obstacles.

1. Oprah Winfrey: Overcoming a troubled childhood marked by her father’s alcoholism, Oprah emerged as an influential talk show host, philanthropist, and media mogul.
2. Robert Downey Jr.: The beloved actor struggled with addiction himself but has since become a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
3. Jamie Lee Curtis: An accomplished actress and author, Curtis faced her mother’s alcoholism with courage and used her experiences to advocate for sobriety.
4. Ben Affleck: Battling his own demons with alcohol, Affleck has emerged as a successful actor, director, and screenwriter.
5. J.K. Rowling: The author of the Harry Potter series, Rowling persevered through a difficult childhood that included her mother’s struggle with alcohol.
6. Anthony Hopkins: Despite his father’s alcoholism, Hopkins became an Academy Award-winning actor and one of the most respected performers in the industry.
7. Drew Barrymore: Barrymore, who started acting at a young age, endured a tumultuous childhood overshadowed by her parents’ substance abuse. She has since become a successful actress, producer, and author. If you haven’t read her book, Wallflower, you should. It’s a fascinating story of her journey.
8. Edie Falco: Known for her roles in “The Sopranos” and “Nurse Jackie,” Falco grew up with an alcoholic mother and has used her platform to raise awareness about addiction.
9. Colin Farrell: The Irish actor has openly discussed his father’s struggle with alcoholism, and his own journey towards sobriety has brought him success in the film industry.
10. Macklemore: The Grammy-winning rapper has been open about his own battles with addiction and draws inspiration from his father’s journey to recovery.
11. Courtney Love: Despite a turbulent upbringing due to her parents’ alcoholism, Love became a prominent figure in the alternative rock scene as a musician and actress.
12. Eric Clapton: The legendary guitarist overcame his own addiction struggles and grew up with a mother who was an alcoholic.
13. Sarah Jessica Parker: Known for her role in “Sex and the City,” Parker had a challenging childhood with a father who battled alcoholism.
14. Eminem: The rapper’s lyrics often reflect his traumatic upbringing, including his mother’s drug addiction and his father’s absence due to alcoholism, but he transformed his pain into art.
15. Keith Urban: Growing up in Australia, Urban dealt with his father’s alcoholism but found solace and success through music.
16. Tim McGraw: The country music superstar has been open about his own battles with alcoholism and how it affected his relationship with his father, former baseball player Tug McGraw.
17. Kelly Osbourne: As the daughter of Ozzy Osbourne, Kelly struggled with her own addictions while dealing with her father’s well-known struggles with alcohol and drugs.
18. Robin Williams: The late comedian and actor had a father who battled alcoholism, and Williams himself faced his own struggles with addiction.
19. Bradley Cooper: Known for his roles in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Sniper,” Cooper’s father’s alcoholism had a significant impact on his life.
20. Carol Burnett: The living comedic legend was among the first celebrities to speak openly about how growing up with alcoholic parents affected her life.
21. Angelina Jolie: Jolie has been candid about her difficult childhood, including her father’s alcoholism, and has used her fame to advocate for humanitarian causes.
22. Nicole Richie: Richie, who became a reality TV star and fashion designer, faced her father’s addiction while navigating her own personal challenges.
23. Charlize Theron: Theron, an Academy Award-winning actress, grew up in South Africa with an alcoholic father and has used her platform to support various causes.
24. Johnny Depp: Despite his own struggles with substance abuse, Depp achieved success as an actor, with his father’s alcoholism serving as a poignant backdrop to his journey.
25. Shania Twain: The country music superstar triumphed over her tumultuous childhood, which involved her parents’ alcoholism, to become one of the best-selling artists of all time.
26. Zac Efron: Efron, known for his roles in “High School Musical” and “The Greatest Showman,” has been vocal about his own struggles with addiction and how they were influenced by his father’s battle with alcoholism.
27. Kate Hudson: The actress and entrepreneur grew up with her mother, Goldie Hawn, navigating her father’s alcoholism, but has since established a successful career.
28. Billie Holiday: The influential jazz singer faced significant challenges in her childhood due to her parents’ alcoholism, but her powerful voice and legacy endure.
29. Pete Davidson: Known for his work on “Saturday Night Live,” Davidson has openly discussed his father’s addiction and mental health struggles, using comedy as a cathartic outlet.
30. Demi Lovato: Lovato has been candid about her own journey with addiction and mental health, which was influenced by her father’s struggles with alcoholism.
31. Matthew Perry: The actor, famous for his role as Chandler Bing on “Friends,” has spoken about his father’s battle with alcoholism and his own struggles with addiction.
32. Laura Dern: Dern, an Academy Award-winning actress, grew up with her father, Bruce Dern, navigating his alcoholism while establishing her own successful career.
33. Brooke Shields: Shields faced the challenges of her mother’s alcoholism, but her resilience and talent propelled her to become a renowned actress and model. I highly recommend the book she wrote about her mother and her life.
34. Tiger Woods: The golf legend has openly addressed his father’s alcoholism and his own personal struggles, showcasing his resilience on and off the golf course.
35. George Clooney: Clooney’s father battled alcoholism, but the actor, director, and activist has become one of Hollywood’s most respected figures. He also continues to be known as one of the industry’s kindest people. Yeesh! No wonder so many people still crush on him.
36. Mary Tyler Moore: The iconic actress and philanthropist grew up with an alcoholic mother and used her talent and success to support various causes.
37. Elizabeth Taylor: The legendary actress faced a difficult childhood, with her parents’ alcoholism contributing to the challenges she overcame throughout her life.
38. Julia Roberts: Roberts, an Academy Award-winning actress, experienced her parents’ divorce due to her father’s alcoholism but emerged as a Hollywood icon.
39. Mark Ruffalo: Ruffalo, known for his roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, dealt with his father’s alcoholism while pursuing his passion for acting.
40. Serena Williams: The tennis superstar triumphed over numerous obstacles, including her father’s alcoholism, to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.
41. Jim Carrey: Carrey’s father’s battle with alcoholism shaped his upbringing, but the comedian and actor channeled his experiences into a successful career.
42. Justin Furstenfeld: As the lead singer of Blue October, Furstenfeld has used his music to address his own struggles with addiction and the impact of his father’s alcoholism.
43. Ashley Judd: Judd, an actress and activist, faced her parents’ substance abuse issues but has become a powerful advocate for women’s rights and humanitarian causes.
44. Mariah Carey: The iconic singer overcame a turbulent upbringing marked by her parents’ substance abuse and has since become a global music sensation.
45. Michael Phelps: The most decorated Olympian of all time battled his own demons, including his father’s alcoholism, on his path to swimming greatness.
46. Chris Cornell: The late musician and frontman of Soundgarden triumphed over his father’s alcoholism, showcasing his incredible vocal talent and songwriting ability.
47. Marilyn Monroe: Monroe’s troubled childhood, marked by her mother’s struggle with alcoholism, added complexity to her life but didn’t hinder her rise to fame as an iconic actress.
48. Maya Angelou: The acclaimed poet, author and civil rights activist faced numerous challenges, including her mother’s alcoholism, but her resilience and literary prowess made her an influential figure.

Celebrity adult children of alcoholics serve as powerful reminders that despite growing up in challenging circumstances, it is possible to overcome adversity and achieve success. Many of these famous people have struggled with addiction and mental health obstacles themselves, but what I find so remarkable is how they pursued their dreams and achieved great success, despite the odds against them. I also appreciate that they’ve bravely shared openly about how addiction in their family affected them.

Their resilience, determination and talents have not only shaped their own lives but have also inspired millions around the world. By sharing their stories, we can shed light on the power of healing and determination and encourage others to overcome their own obstacles.

Know of any other famous adult children of alcoholics? Let me know in the comments!

Learning how to navigate Mother’s Day or Father’s Day can be challenging for adult children of mothers and fathers who are alcoholics. Between painful past experiences and difficult relationships, it can be difficult to know how to approach these holidays in a healthy way.

However, making self-care a priority and using healthy coping strategies can help you find support and comfort during these times. Here are some tips that can help with handling Mother’s Day or Father’s Day in a healthy way as the daughter of an alcoholic mother or father:

Acknowledge Your Feelings

First, it’s important to recognize and validate the emotions that come up around this time of year. Whatever your feelings may be, allow yourself to experience them without shame or embarrassment, and accept that it’s okay not to feel celebratory on Mother’s or Father’s Day. When navigating these complicated feelings, journaling can be a useful tool to help you process and work through difficult emotions.

Mother’s Day always tests my ability to navigate the tricky dynamics with my alcoholic mother. That day sets me on a rollercoaster of emotions, to say the least. I grieve that she was incapable of being the mother I needed her to be because of her substance use disorder and her own unhealed childhood trauma. On one hand, I want to honor and appreciate her as my mom, but on the other hand, I do not have the kind of joyous mother-daughter relationship that other people enjoy. We have a difficult past together, and I can’t just ignore my feelings and pretend everything is hunky-dory or that we are the best of friends.

Early on in my healing journey, I recognized that Mother’s Day would always feel difficult, and that’s okay. So, every year on Mother’s Day, I prioritize my own emotional well-being. It’s okay to take care of yourself and set boundaries, even on that holiday. It’s a constant journey, filled with ups and downs, but each year brings a new opportunity for growth, healing, and finding the right balance between honoring your parent and taking good care of yourself.

Set Boundaries

Next, it’s okay (and important) to set boundaries. Decide what is and what isn’t acceptable behavior from your mother on Mother’s Day or your father on Father’s Day, and don’t be afraid to stick to your boundaries. Communicate your boundaries in a clear and respectful way, and then expect them to be honored. Learning to set boundaries is often difficult and uncomfortable at first, so don’t be afraid to enlist the help of a therapist or support group to help you practice boundary-setting.

Practice Self Care

Another helpful tip for handling Mother’s Day or Father’s Day is making time for self-care. Set aside time for activities that bring you joy and peace. Making sure you are well taken care of emotionally, physically, and mentally will give you the stamina you need to navigate painful feelings during this difficult time. Engage in healthy coping mechanisms, such as exercise, meditation and therapy.

Another important part of self care is spending time with other family members or friends who understand and support you. Making time for these positive relationships will help you feel peace and comfort as you navigate Mother’s or Father’s Day.

Last Mother’s Day, I decided it was best if I didn’t plan any activities with my mother. Instead, my sister and I had lunch and went to the movie theater. It was fun and gave us both a day of relaxation.

Consider Alternative Celebrations

When it comes to celebrating Mother’s or Father’s Day, there’s no right or wrong way to do it–it’s okay to celebrate in a way that feels safe and comfortable for you. Focus on honoring the mother or father figures in your life who have provided support and love throughout your life. Every Mother’s Day, I reach out to the people who’ve been motherly to me over the years: aunts, cousins and friends. It’s a great opportunity to express appreciation for everything they’ve done for you. Another tip is to focus on giving back to others who may be struggling on Mother’s or Father’s Day. Providing support and comfort can make all the difference in helping someone find healing and peace.

Final Thoughts

Although Mother’s or Father’s Day can be difficult to navigate, using healthy coping strategies can make a big difference in helping you get through and even enjoy these holidays. Prioritize self-care and don’t be afraid to seek support when needed. Remember, it’s okay to work through things at your own pace.

Finally, if you’re struggling with a difficult relationship with an alcoholic parent, know that there are many resources that can help you find support and healing, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

Growing up with an alcoholic parent can have long-lasting effects on a child. As an adult child of an alcoholic, you may feel an overwhelming sense of responsibility to take care of your parent. This may lead to feelings of guilt and anxiety, and can prevent you from living the life you want. If you’re like me, you may have taken on the role of being your parent’s parent. To end this, you have to learn how to stop thinking it’s your job to take care of your alcoholic mother or father and take control of your own life.

1.      Recognize that you are not responsible for your parent’s behavior or problems.

The first step in stopping the cycle of codependency is acknowledging that you are not responsible for your parent’s behavior. Alcoholism is a disease, and your parent’s actions are not your fault. You cannot control your parent’s behavior or choices. You’re an entirely separate person. While you can offer support, as described in the awesome book, Love First, it is ultimately up to your parent to seek help and take responsibility for their actions. You cannot control anyone but you.

I’m still trying to reprogram my thinking in this area. By age seven, I had entirely switched roles with my mother as her alcoholism worsened. I was the responsible parent and she was the irresponsible child. I thought it was fully my responsibility to cure her of her addiction and to clean up all the messes that followed her behavior. Today, I live for me, but sometimes, I slip back into my old ways of thinking and wanting to swoop in to save the day for Mom. That is the thinking I’ve known my whole life so when I feel myself beginning to feel and act like the parent, I have to bring out my codependency books and refresh my memory.

2.      Set boundaries and stick to them.

Setting boundaries is an important part of taking care of yourself. It’s also one of the hardest things to do! Often the most important, life-improving steps you can take is to set boundaries and stick to them. You can tell a boundary is going to be effective for you when it feels wrong. Those are the ones that you realize later were the best things to do.

Establishing clear boundaries with your parent can help you maintain a healthy relationship and prevent you from being sucked into their chaos. This may mean limiting contact, refusing to engage in arguments, or refusing to provide financial support. It is essential to communicate your boundaries clearly and firmly and to stick to them.

Learn more

How to set healthy boundaries with your parents

Resources

Get my free boundary-setting worksheet to help you define your boundaries:

Printables & Free Resources

3.      Get support.

Healing from the trauma of growing up with an alcoholic parent can be a long and challenging process. It is important to seek support from a therapist and support group. Talking to someone who understands what you are going through can be incredibly helpful in helping you process your feelings and develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Look for a therapist who specializes in dysfunctional families and the Adult Child of an Alcoholic Syndrome who can give you tools to heal from your traumatic experiences. Attend Al-Anon and Adult Children of Alcoholics support group meetings; it is very impactful to hear from other people who share a variation of your story.

Learn More

How to Find the Right Therapist For You

What To Expect from an Al-Anon or Adult Children of Alcoholics Support Group Meeting

4.      Focus on your own life.

Your. Only. Job. In. life. Is. To. Take. Good. Care. Of. You. I repeat this every day.

It is easy to get caught up in the drama of your parent’s addiction and lose sight of your own goals and aspirations. Make a conscious effort to focus on your own life and pursue your passions. This may mean investing in your career, exploring new hobbies, or spending time with friends and family. Taking care of yourself is not selfish – it is essential to your well-being.

Back in 2009, when I hit rock bottom in my depression, I began doing anything that sounded like fun or stuff that little-kid me would have liked. I started writing, took a creative writing class at a local community college and made several new writer friends. While I did that, I also jumped into education about addiction and attended Al-Anon meetings. These efforts set me on my healing journey, and I am forever grateful!

Final Thoughts

Healing from the trauma of growing up with an alcoholic parent is a journey, and it is essential to take care of yourself along the way. Acknowledge that you are not responsible for your parent’s behavior, set boundaries, seek support, and focus on your own life. Remember, you are worthy of love and you deserve a life you love. It is never too late to start living the life you want.

Do you always feel unsatisfied with your life? As adult children of alcoholics, or ACoAs, it’s common to struggle to feel satisfied with ourselves. This is due to the unpredictability that we experienced as children in how our alcoholic parent showed affection. We grew up constantly trying to crack the code on our parent’s true feelings about us. Sometimes, they showered us with affection and affirmation. Other times, they were cold and distant. It’s no wonder we then grow up to be adults who never feel satisfied with ourselves, regardless of our accomplishments. We never feel good enough in any of our roles!

We deserve to feel proud of who we are and what we have accomplished! However, allowing ourselves to feel satisfied is often difficult. Learning how to be at peace with ourselves and with our lives is an important part of healing from the effects of growing up with an alcoholic parent. Here are 5 tips that can help you lead a more satisfied life, based on the steps that have been helpful for me:

1.  Be Committed to Self-Care

One of the most important things you can do to lead a more satisfied life is prioritize self-care. As ACOAs, we often feel an instinct to put the needs of everyone else first, but your only job in life is to take good care of you. Give yourself time to rest, eat healthy foods and schedule time for exercise and fresh air. Set aside a few hours each week for a hobby that you enjoy. Making time for self-care will help you not only feel more satisfied in life, but with yourself, too.

2. Get Educated About Addiction and its Effects on Families

Another important step in learning how to be more satisfied in life is getting educated about addiction and how it affects families. Understanding the ways that addiction has impacted your life will provide reassurance, understanding and context that can help guide you on your path to ACoA recovery. Education about addiction is mighty eye opening!

Related Resource

Best books for adult children of alcoholics (ACoAs)

3.  Set Realistic Goals and a System to Achieve Them

Is there anything more fulfilling than setting goals and accomplishing them? Learning to set realistic goals and working toward them is one of the best ways to increase your self-confidence and feel proud of your accomplishments. Whether you set a boundary or other ACoA-related healing goal, fitness-related goal or simply commit to journaling more often, setting and achieving realistic goals will help you feel more satisfied in life. I used to create extremely lofty goals without realistic habit-based systems to achieve them. After reading about the science of habits, now I create goals with realistic systems and you know what? I regularly achieve goals – and that feels so good.

4.  Reflect on What You Truly Want in Life

Set aside some time to reflect on what you truly want in life. Seriously, what do you want? What is immediately coming to mind right now? Quickly – write it down on paper, even if it seems unrealistic. Growing up as a child of an alcoholic, there were probably many times when you found yourself in situations that were out of your control and your wants were never considered. As an adult, you can create the life you love. Reflecting on what you want in life will help you feel more confident, in control and satisfied with who you are and where you are in your life.

5.  Focus On Your Adult Child of an Alcoholic Journey

Finally, one of the best ways to lead a more satisfied life is by focusing on your healing journey as an ACOA. Although the path to recovery takes time and hard work, the most important thing you can do is focus on your own path to healing and, most of all, remember that you are not alone in your struggles.

Until just a few years ago, satisfaction with my life and anything I accomplished was always out of reach – personally and professionally. No matter what I achieved, or how other people viewed my performance, I always fell short of my own expectations.

Early on in my career, I rejected all compliments and kudos about my work performance from clients, coworkers and supervisors. One day, when I complimented a coworker’s work on a project, she replied that she could have done better on this and that. I jokingly said, “You just devalued my opinion!” In that moment, we both realized how our own struggle with self-satisfaction can affect other people. Now, when someone says something nice about something I’ve done, I reply with gratitude, not dismissal. 😊  

After all those years of feeling unsatisfied, I realized I was sick and tired of it. It’s exhausting. So, I took a good look at myself. I knew growing up with an alcoholic mother was likely the root cause of my lack of self-satisfaction. Sometimes, Mom gave me abundant love and affection. Other times, she acted distant, disinterested and disappointed in me. I was constantly confused about how she felt about me, so I concluded that I was simply not good enough. That applied to all my roles, including as a daughter and student. I carried this not-good-enough mindset with me to adulthood, naturally.

I realized I had to learn how to be more satisfied to achieve peace and serenity as I moved forward in my healing journey. Admittedly, I still struggle with self-satisfaction. Ask any coworker or friend and they’ll tell you I am still reluctant to feel fully satisfied, despite successes. However, I have come a long way and now enjoy greater satisfaction in my life than I ever thought I’d feel. If I can do it, you can, too.

Best wishes to you in your healing journey.