Usefulness

The Importance Of Usefulness To Recovery

Usefulness can be described as our ability to give, relate, support, treat, build, volunteer, or empathize with others. Usefulness can be healing to others and centering as we are placed in the present moment, focusing on life’s positives. Usefulness can create:

• Feelings of joy
• Trust with self and others
• A positive identity
• Relationship development
• Connection to others and causes
• Increased self-worth

We can be of use to others with a kind word or our presence. We can further be of use to others by actively listening, giving willingly, sharing our thoughts and feelings, being sensitive to the feelings and shortcomings of others, asking others for help, and being reliable.

When we are useful in life, we find a purpose to practice and cope with triggers or negative thinking in a healthy way.  We are at ease as we cultivate feelings of interconnection, reducing depression that can come from isolation. Cultivating the feeling of purpose enhances our lives, vastly contributing to feelings of happiness.

Usefulness Creates Purpose

Usefulness aids in the connections we have to others as we place value on them and their lives. We affirm our humanity as we identify with others’ dispositions and lend a hand or an ear. Another form of usefulness is helping others. We can find purpose in our daily lives by helping others. A way we can be useful is following our passion, such as starting a business in order to hire people in need of work. We can be reliable in healthy relationships, encouraging availability to those in need. We can also use the help of others around us, creating trust that people will help us when we are in need.

How To Be Useful To Others

Usefulness can be something as simple as asking engaging questions in a conversation with a close friend. Usefulness can also mean having respect for another person’s boundaries, such as giving people the space to be themselves or to achieve peace, so they can grow into themselves.  People in recovery can use their experiences in healing through treatment facilities to encourage healing for others. Friends and family members of people in recovery can be of use to them by being understanding and patient.

If a friend or loved one needs understanding, we could remember to practice compassion on their healing journey. Harsh criticisms and put downs can also be counterintuitive in providing the usefulness of support as someone creates a new life. Judging others as they ask for help can discourage their sense of growth.

Usefulness To Be Of Service

When we are of service to others, we have a new purpose that helps us move on from a past of addiction and enables us to re-engage with each moment. When we volunteer at homeless shelters or animal shelters, for instance, we are not giving into emotions such as self-pity or selfishness. When we decide to commit to a job, we are demonstrating responsibility for ourselves and others. We can lead by example in our usefulness to others, encouraging them to live a more focused life.

The Usefulness Of Our Pain And Trauma

As we practice self-love and self-forgiveness and gather self-awareness, we understand what triggers our emotions. An act of service, as well as an opportunity to bond, can arise from sharing our story with others. We can use our voices to write or discuss our core change in groups or in our relationships. We can offer words of wisdom to others struggling with addiction or co-occurring disorders with the respect they deserve. We can be useful to others by sharing our pain or trauma to connect with others and show them that we can overcome our struggles. Providing hope and inspiration while being a positive role model can help others overcome their own personal challenges.

Know Someone Ready To Create A More Useful Life?

Feeling like you can’t help others creates frustration, anxiety, and helplessness. If you, a friend, or a loved one is desperately needing healing for their addiction, there is help available. Contact a treatment provider today.

Start Your Recovery Today

Help is available. Explore your recovery options and break free from addiction.

877-648-4288

Online Addiction Therapy Browse Treatment Centers