Everyday Feelings
Helpful or Not
What could you say?
Small steps count
Recovery is personal
100

You can’t stop smiling after hearing good news. What feeling is this?


Happiness or joy

100

Asking someone you trust for support: helpful or unhelpful?


Helpful.


100

Someone helps you with a task. What two words show appreciation?


Thank you

100

You have ten dishes to wash. Does washing two count as progress?


Yes

100

Two people use different coping skills. Does that mean one of them is doing recovery wrong?


No. Different skills work for different people.


200

Your appointment is running late, and you’re getting irritated. What feeling is this?


Frustration

200

Calling yourself names after making a mistake: helpful or unhelpful?


Unhelpful

200

You don’t understand the directions. Do you ask for clarification or pretend you understand?


Ask for clarification. 

(Ask for more information) 

200

Which goal is clearer: 

“Do better”

OR

”Brush my teeth this morning”

“Brush my teeth this morning”

200

Someone’s recovery goal is important to their family, but not meaningful to them. Whose interests and needs should help guide the goal?


The person working toward the goal

300

You miss someone you care about and wish they were with you. What feeling might this be?


Sadness or loneliness


300

Taking a short break when a task feels overwhelming: helpful or unhelpful?


Helpful

300

You need a few quiet minutes. Fill in the blank: ”I need a _____.”


Break, or a moment

300

You forget an appointment. What could help next time: a reminder or hoping you remember?


A reminder

300

A person wants to feel less alone. Which goal fits that need better: attending a group or organizing their closet?


Attending a group, because it offers connection with others


400

You finish something that was hard for you and feel good about your effort. What feeling is this?


Pride


400

Comparing your progress to everyone else’s and deciding you’re a failure: helpful or unhelpful?


Unhelpful 

400

A friend asks to borrow money you need for groceries. Can you respectfully say no?


Yes.

”I can‘t lend money right now” is an acceptable answer. 

400

A task feels too big. Should you break it into smaller steps or do everything at once?


Break it into smaller steps

400

A coping skill helped your friend but doesn’t help you. What could you do next?


Try a different coping skill that better fits your needs.


500

Something you were worried about turns out okay. What feeling might you have afterward?


Relief


500

Trying a different coping skill when your first choice isn’t helping: helpful or unhelpful?


Helpful

500

Which clearly asks for support: “You never help” OR “Could you help me make this phone call?”

“Could you help me make this phone call?”

500

You planned to practice a skill four times and did it three times. How many times did you succeed in practicing?


Three times

500

Two people start recovery on the same day, but reach their goals at different times. Why doesn’t this mean one has failed?


Recovery happens at different paces. People have different needs, challenges, and supports.


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