Mandi Gubler's story, known to many through her DIY blog Vintage Revivals and houseplant venture Happy Happy Houseplant, is more than just about home decor and green thumbs. It’s a deeply personal narrative about resilience, faith, and holistic healing, intertwined with her family's journey through challenges, including her husband Court's battle with addiction. While the specifics of any weight changes she may have experienced are secondary to her overall recovery, they serve as a powerful symbol of her profound personal growth.
Overcoming Stress and Finding Spirituality
In a candid reflection, Mandi described a period marked by overwhelming stress in 2018. She felt paralyzed by anxiety, anger, disconnection, jealousy, and negativity. Despite trying various remedies like hormone therapy, traditional therapy, dietary changes, strict schedules, meditation, exercise, podcasts, and books, nothing seemed to alleviate her distress. This experience left her feeling as though she was letting everyone around her down.
Mandi realized that the root of her struggles wasn't solely due to external circumstances. She recognized that she had inadvertently put her spirituality in neutral, leading to a standstill. As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Mandi found solace and strength in her faith. Understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power it had to bring grace and purpose to her life changed everything.
A Hypnotherapy Session and a Shift in Perspective
In October, a transformative hypnotherapy session became a pivotal moment in Mandi's journey. During this sacred and spiritual experience, she felt a heavy weight of darkness descend upon her, intertwining itself around every part of her body like a thick black mist. When asked to project the feeling outside of her body, she saw it take the shape of a huge swirling black mass of despair, filled with dread, stress, hatred, anger, jealousy, self-will, pride, resentments, and sadness. Mandi realized that she had allowed these negative thoughts and feelings to take root in her life, ultimately leading her to a difficult place.
Mandi reflected on her early blogging days, recalling that she had never DIYed anything before starting Vintage Revivals. She lacked confidence and felt like a shell of a person due to Court’s addiction. Discovering the world of DIY blogs and the supportive community of women within it changed everything for her. These women shared their knowledge and empowered her to try new things.
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A few months into blogging, Mandi felt compelled to share her family's struggle with addiction. Court had been sober for only a few months, but his transformation was so profound that she believed this time was different. From that moment of vulnerability, things began to shift for Mandi. She learned who she was and how God communicated with her. She realized that her gift was meant to bring people to her blog, where she could share hope, confidence, and happiness, whether through a thrifted dresser, a relationship, or faith in God.
Over time, however, Mandi's perspective shifted. While she still held the same values, her focus became more about herself than about others. Recognizing this, she dedicated herself to rediscovering her Savior, her peace, and her perspective. She prioritized going to the temple and reading the Book of Mormon, finding guidance in President Benson's words: "When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives…Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities."
Vintage Revivals: Projects, Paint, and a Personal Journey
Mandi acknowledged that Vintage Revivals would always be about projects, paint, and trips to Home Depot. She expressed gratitude to her readers for allowing her to share her personal journey and figure things out along the way.
A Family's Struggle and a Path to Wellness
Mandi and Court Gubler faced the immense challenge of Court's addiction. Their journey, significantly aided by their LDS community's Addiction Recovery Program (ARP), exemplifies the healing power of faith and shared strength. During this arduous period, Mandi not only supported her husband but also embarked on her own emotional healing process. Consequently, Mandi may have experienced weight loss, but it's crucial to understand that this was a likely byproduct of her emotional and spiritual growth within recovery, not the central focus.
Beyond the Numbers: A Holistic Approach to Recovery
The ARP wasn't merely a place for Court's treatment; it became a lifeline for their entire family. For Mandi, it provided a safe haven to process the emotional toll of supporting a loved one with addiction, potentially mitigating stressors affecting her weight. The program fostered a strong sense of community, providing a network of understanding individuals. This sense of belonging, combined with spiritual guidance, extended far beyond addiction management, contributing to her overall well-being and possibly influencing her physical health. The true triumph, however, wasn't the number on the scale but rediscovering her inner strength, finding peace, and rebuilding her life.
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The Ripple Effect of Healing: A Comprehensive Approach
Mandi's experience underscores the importance of a holistic approach to healing. The ARP's emphasis on spiritual well-being, community support, and emotional processing created an environment conducive to overall health. It fostered hope and empowerment, enabling Mandi to confront challenges directly. Any resultant weight loss reflects this improved well-being - a natural byproduct of her emotional and spiritual journey. It's a testament to her resilience and the transformative power of recovery.
Key Takeaways: Embracing the Whole Person
Mandi's story, shared with her husband Court, offers these valuable insights:
- Faith's Empowering Strength: Mandi's faith and the supportive ARP community provided an invaluable wellspring of strength and hope.
- Community's Crucial Role: The support she received was integral to her healing process. Shared experiences and understanding offer unparalleled strength.
- Holistic Recovery's Importance: Addressing emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being creates a more comprehensive path to recovery and lasting transformation.
While the specifics of Mandi's weight loss might remain private, her story conveys a profound message: Recovery is a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and profound transformation. It impacts every facet of life, from inner peace to outward appearance, illustrating that true wellness encompasses the whole person.
Finding Faith-Based Addiction Recovery Programs
Choosing an addiction recovery program is a deeply personal decision. Faith-based programs uniquely blend clinical care and spiritual support. Personal values and beliefs should guide program selection. Thorough program research, including verification of credentials and treatment approaches, is essential. Strong community support is crucial for sustained recovery success. Weight loss can be a positive, unexpected outcome of recovery.
Mandi's journey transcends weight loss; it's a narrative of transformation. Her experience reminds us that recovery is multifaceted. Finding a path aligned with personal values and beliefs is crucial. For many, this path involves faith.
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Faith-based programs integrate evidence-based therapies with spiritual practices, addressing the whole person - body, mind, and spirit. This holistic approach focuses not just on conquering addiction, but on rebuilding life.
How to Find Faith-Based Programs
Finding the right program necessitates careful searching. Begin by asking these questions:
- What type of faith-based support do you require?
- What specific addiction are you confronting?
- What type of community do you seek?
Utilize online search engines. Refine searches with terms like "faith-based addiction recovery programs near me," specifying your location and religious preference. Contact several programs directly, openly discussing your needs and goals.
Evaluating Programs: A Critical Approach
Don’t settle for the first option. Look for:
- Accreditation: Verify accreditation from reputable organizations.
- Staff Qualifications: Investigate the credentials of clinicians and counselors.
- Treatment Methods: Ensure utilization of evidence-based therapies alongside spiritual practices.
- Support Systems: Assess the robustness of support groups and aftercare.
- Ethical Practices: Confirm transparency in practices and costs.
The Unexpected Rewards of Recovery
Mandi's journey highlights the possibility of unexpected benefits accompanying recovery, including weight loss. However, this is secondary to emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being.