Recovery is not a metaphor.
It is not a snail coming out of its shell.
It is not beautiful; or perfect; or miraculous.
It is bloody hard work.
It is not the beginning of something,
nor the end.
It is the continuation of you.
It is not a declaration of peace and tranquility;
or of oneness with the world.
It is not acceptance of societal flaws and standards;
it is not making a stand against the media
or the pressure of expectation.
It does not change who you are,
or where you have come from.
Recovery is a simile:
as brave as a lion.
as ready as I’ll ever be.
