Before coming back to CoDA last year, I was in denial of my codependency. I was in deep grief over the loss of my dog. I was suppressing my feelings and avoiding them because it was too much to bear.

Since coming back to CoDA, I’ve learned the value of letting myself feel my feelings, learning that it’s okay to not be okay all the time, and even though I’m not as recovered as I would like to be, I feel less alone, knowing I have people I can reach out to especially if I start to spiral.

My higher power even led me to a CoDA meeting that specifically caters to women and people who identify as non-binary, who also have a chronic illness or who have chronic pain, and/or who also care for people that have a chronic illness/pain. I never knew it existed and I probably would have never found out about it if my higher power hadn’t led me to it. I stumbled upon it by “accident.”

I am forever grateful to have found it, and I’m looking forward to working the steps with these brave and strong people who go through similar daily struggles as I do.

– Shani C.