Tripping Over Myself: A Journey from Addiction and Anxiety to Awareness and Peace
Sometimes, life feels like a relentless cycle of stumbling over the same obstacles. You tell yourself, “I’ll figure it out,” and you keep going—ignoring the signs, the voices, and the lifelines extended to you. That was my reality for years.
I thought I could outthink my pain, silence my fears, and find clarity at the bottom of a bottle. I believed I had all the answers, even when my body started to tell me otherwise. What I didn’t realize was that every time I refused help, I was choosing to keep myself stuck.
Looking back, I see how deaf and blind I was to the signs flashing all around me. People who loved me—who truly wanted to lift me up—were trying to break through my walls. But I wouldn’t let them. I was too afraid to admit I needed help. Too proud to accept the offering.
If there’s one thing my journey has taught me, it’s this: you don’t have to do it alone. No matter how terrifying your thoughts may seem or how heavy your burdens feel, there are people who want to help you carry them. You don’t have to fight your battles in isolation.
It’s not easy to accept help, especially when you’re used to facing the world on your own terms. But sometimes, strength isn’t about pushing through—it’s about surrendering to the love and support being offered to you. It’s about trusting that those who care about you genuinely want to see you rise, not fall.
I learned this the hard way. By the time I finally accepted the help I so desperately needed, my body had already begun to cave under the weight of my choices. But even then, it wasn’t too late. Help was always there, waiting for me to reach out. And when I finally did, it changed everything.
So, if you’re reading this and feel like you’re drowning in your own terrifying thoughts, hear me when I say: don’t give up on yourself. Don’t give in to the voice that tells you it’s hopeless. Listen carefully to the people who love you and are trying to lift you up. Give yourself the space to accept their offering.
You may feel unworthy of help or afraid of what it means to admit you need it. But I promise you, allowing others to walk with you on this journey isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a step toward freedom, peace, and healing.
No matter where you are today, it’s never too late to start your journey toward awareness and peace. Take the first step. Allow yourself to be helped. You are worth it.
Please send any comments or suggestions to gerard.tripping@gmail.com