31 Comments

Thank you so much for this writing! I always appreciate the depth and authenticity that you write from. I also wanted to say bravo for taking a pause from the podcast, and listening to what your body needs. I have been in awe and wonder of how you have done all you do, with three little ones!!! I only have one and am exhausted all the time. Take good care Ashley. :)

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Thank you for being here Heather. I really appreciate you taking a moment to check in and for honoring me in pausing the podcast. I just shared a piece on that today. Thinking of you and thank you again. Your words mean so much to me, especially right now ;)

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As someone who is 24, just a touch over 7 months sober after 4 months in rehab I love reading pieces that I can relate to deeply. Sometimes I get lost in my own feelings and through recovery I am reminded that I’m never alone.

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Meredith I am so touched that you shared. My eyes are welling up with tears. To know that this piece is supporting you and that you can relate deeply is restorative for me. I fully get getting lost in your own feelings and am grateful to be on this recovery journey along side of you. 💫

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This was hard for me to read all the way through. I’ve been in many of those same places and situations throughout my life. It felt as though I was reading about myself. I admire your bravery to sit down and go back to these places and feelings. I haven’t been able to yet. Thank you for your honesty and your beautiful words.

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Hi Sara, thank you for taking the time to share this with me. I am grateful for your willingness to read the piece all the way through when it was hard. It was very challenging to write and get to the heart and pain of so many of those experiences. And it has taken many years to get to a place where I can write and share about them. Thinking of you and holding a layer of support for you. With deep care, Ashley

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Right back at ya! ♥️🥰😘

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Coming up on 22 years and found so many beautiful echoes of my recovery evolutions in this. Homestead was a big part of my healing journey. Thank you for sharing this Ashley

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Amazing Lisa! I am glad you found echoes of your own journey and that Homestead was such a support in your healing. Grateful to be on the recovery road together.

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I appreciate this, Ashley. That love we cast backwards towards ourselves is eternal.

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Thank you for reading and being here Dana. Your words are resonating with me deeply❤️

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Beautiful, raw and courageous. Thank you x

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Thank you Kelly. I really appreciate you taking the time to read this letter and acknowledge how much it took to write it💕

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Simply beautiful. You are so brave.

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Thank you so much Kristin.

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I relate to many many parts of this. I’ve been in a Sadhana exploring some of the wounds of the past and it stings of course but I also marvel at how little I knew back then and with no models of how to soothe myself. I can feel the confusion and loneliness of that younger self and oh the compassion I feel for her now. She just didn’t know. So desperate to outwardly figure out how to figure out how to feel worthy when all along it was an inside job.

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Thank you Nancy. I so relate to your share about how little you knew back then and not having models for self soothing. As I read your words I can feel into the confusion and loneliness too. And the compassion, exhale. So much compassion. Thinking of you and your younger self today. x

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wow, how this helped me. how this touched me. stunningly put.

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This meant a lot to me. X

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Thank you for letting me know Kimbra.

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So profound for a 21 year old! Thank you for sharing!

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Thank you Stephen!

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In recovery for BED, spent 5 weeks @ PHO/IOP with a dozen young woman who echoed your sentiments. As with you, they demonstrated such bravery and courage. I am dumbfounded. 💚

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Thank you for sharing Stephen. I am grateful to learn you are in recovery too.

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Loving and honoring all the parts of us. Thank you for this stunning offering. My younger self thanks you too. 🙏♥️

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Thank you Kelly - and younger Kelly ❤️❤️❤️

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Thank you so much Kelly. Grateful this spoke to your younger self too❤️

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Well done Ashley! A beautiful and powerful message to yourself that will resonate throughout all the ages of your life. Congratulations on your soberversay (from a fellow sober person)!

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Thank you Donna! I appreciate you taking the time to read the letter and I love that you are sober too. I did not realize how many amazing sober women like yourself are here on Substack ❤️💫

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A beautiful way to encapsulate your life story Ashley. So inspiring. You’ve come so far. 🙏🏻⭐️💛

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Thank you Kate. I so enjoyed reading your letter today too. It really touched me. 💫

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