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Recover Girl

A fresh look at addiction and recovery

Motivation
How to Achieve Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals: Don’t Be SMART

Anna B. David on August 15, 2023

Personal Perspective: SMART goals are actually stupid if you want to achieve extraordinary things. Try closing the GAP—writing down your Goals, Actions, and Progress—instead.

Personal Perspective: SMART goals are actually stupid if you want to achieve extraordinary things. Try closing the GAP—writing down your Goals, Actions, and Progress—instead.

Artificial Intelligence
ChatGPT Can Help You See Yourself as a Hero

Anna B. David on March 27, 2023

Rather than bemoaning the fact that AI is coming for us, consider combining ChatGPT with a classic storytelling framework in order to gain new perspective on your struggles.

Rather than bemoaning the fact that AI is coming for us, consider combining ChatGPT with a classic storytelling framework in order to gain new perspective on your struggles.

Addiction
Why We Need Protections for Employees in Recovery

Anna B. David on March 22, 2023

New research about recovery in the workplace provides much-needed information that can help the 14 million workers in recovery—and the people who work with them.

New research about recovery in the workplace provides much-needed information that can help the 14 million workers in recovery—and the people who work with them.

Happiness
Writing Your Way to Happiness

Anna B. David on June 28, 2022

Have you heard that journaling helps with your mental health but don't know where to start? Focusing on nine specific elements will make a world of difference.

Have you heard that journaling helps with your mental health but don't know where to start? Focusing on nine specific elements will make a world of difference.

Trauma
How Do You Heal Core Trauma?

Anna B. David on September 26, 2018

What is EMDR? An expert on trauma, addiction, expressive arts, yoga and mindfulness breaks it down.

What is EMDR? An expert on trauma, addiction, expressive arts, yoga and mindfulness breaks it down.

Career
The #1 Thing That's Making You Miserable

Anna B. David on October 16, 2017

We're brought up to compare ourselves to other people—and destroy ourselves in the process. Luckily, there's a solution.

We're brought up to compare ourselves to other people—and destroy ourselves in the process. Luckily, there's a solution.

Addiction
My New Favorite Addiction Writer Isn’t a Recovery Expert

Anna B. David on September 27, 2017

I've been writing and talking about addiction and recovery for over a decade. Finally someone else has said what I believe—and it's not one of the recovery experts.

I've been writing and talking about addiction and recovery for over a decade. Finally someone else has said what I believe—and it's not one of the recovery experts.

Placebo
Can Biohacking Improve Your Mental Health?

Anna B. David on September 29, 2016

I went to the 4th annual Bulletproof Conference to try to figure out if biohacking could help with mental and emotional wellness. I was as surprised as anyone by the answer.

I went to the 4th annual Bulletproof Conference to try to figure out if biohacking could help with mental and emotional wellness. I was as surprised as anyone by the answer.

Self-Help
My Favorite Self-Help Author Isn’t a Self-Help Author at All

Anna B. David on May 6, 2016

I used to passionately follow the wisdom of people like Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson and Byron Katie. But now I've started to learn the most from a former hedge fund manager.

I used to passionately follow the wisdom of people like Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson and Byron Katie. But now I've started to learn the most from a former hedge fund manager.

Depression
I Tried Cryotherapy as a Treatment for Depression

Anna B. David on April 22, 2016

Every week for two months, I went into a freezing-cold chamber for two minutes because studies showed that this could help with depression. But did it work?

Every week for two months, I went into a freezing-cold chamber for two minutes because studies showed that this could help with depression. But did it work?

Suicide
Mental Health Stigma Is Evaporating (Allegedly, Anyway)

Anna B. David on April 1, 2016

According to CNN, the stigma against mental health seems to be shifting. But accepting something's important and not judging it aren't exactly the same.

According to CNN, the stigma against mental health seems to be shifting. But accepting something's important and not judging it aren't exactly the same.

Addiction
Confessions of an Addiction and Recovery Writer

Anna B. David on March 26, 2016

In the middle of a coke-binge, you don’t think you’ll be telling audiences about your addiction one day, let alone focusing your entire career on the topic.

In the middle of a coke-binge, you don’t think you’ll be telling audiences about your addiction one day, let alone focusing your entire career on the topic.

Suicide
Is the Robin Williams Tunnel Such a Great Idea?

Anna B. David on March 14, 2016

As people's perceptions about suicide and mental illness change, so could their feelings about renaming a tunnel after the famed Bay Area icon who took his own life.

As people's perceptions about suicide and mental illness change, so could their feelings about renaming a tunnel after the famed Bay Area icon who took his own life.

Career
Do Mental Health Apps Help Anyone?

Anna B. David on January 19, 2016

Every week it seems a new mental health app is released. But studies show they work better with a professional involved. Butf you have a professional, why do you need an app?

Every week it seems a new mental health app is released. But studies show they work better with a professional involved. Butf you have a professional, why do you need an app?