On the 11th Day of Recovery my new life gave to me: good sober memories.

We are all too familiar with the fact that addiction can rob us of some important memories. But did you know that memory in early recovery can still be a little fuzzy? So it’s important to make new ones. Here are 4 ways you can create new sober memories!

1. Take pictures

The easiest way to make memories is to capture them in a photo! Smartphones mean that a camera is always within reach.

2. Take advantage of your nose

Some smells can bring to mind some of our most vivid memories. Why not use this to your advantage? If there is a special event you want to remember, like a birthday or sober anniversary, buy a special “memory scent”. This can be a candle or even a perfume. Choose you’ve never used before and don’t use it after. Save the scent for a day when you want to remember the event.

3. Keep mementos around

Whether it’s a ticket stub from a play or the outfit you wore to a wedding, holding on to these reminders will help you re-live the special day. Ticket stubs can be placed in a scrapbook alongside photos while other mementos can be framed and hung on the wall.

4. Write it down

Journaling is a great way to keep track of important events in your life. It may sound tedious or boring but read these 10 simple steps and you’ll realize that it doesn’t have to be a painful experience. A journal or diary is also a great keepsake to pass down to loved ones.

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As this year draws to a close we wanted to share with you our version of the 12 Days of Christmas. The 12 Months of Recovery was a video we made last holiday season to categorize some of the ways we can all be thankful for our recovery. Every day leading up to Christmas, we will be sharing the 12 Days of Recovery.