In changing, the first obvious step is simply awareness.
Awareness that we have a problem, an issue, and addiction.
But typically it’s not as clear as “I didn’t know I had an issue, and suddenly now I do.”
Awareness is usually more a feeling of loneliness or self loathing, family telling you how worried they are about you, or a spouse letting you know they are hurting from your actions.
Awareness is not always black and white, because if we do have an issue or a problem and we’ve continued to do it, it’s because we’ve somehow justified it in our own minds.
We might know it’s wrong, but there’s some reason deep down that allows us to continue it, to remain the course, to stay f*cked up.
So when someone or something shakes us out of that hypnosis of addiction and egotistical thought, we can then become aware.
That’s why reading, reflecting, and open conversation is so important. To shake the inertia of thought that’s leading us to issues.
But awareness is just the first step. Awareness is nothing more than a thought, not good nor bad.
It’s just being aware.
I can be aware that I have a drinking issue. Good first step, but that alone does nothing.
Admittance, in the context of making change, is the next step that really gets the ball rolling.
Telling yourself, I’m fucked up, and really believing it is the real first step towards change, as you are on your own discretion are not just aware of the issue, but deep down saying “this is wrong, I am wrong.”
When you start becoming aware, until you admit, nothing happens.
Potential 