Rose Colored Glasses

As women in recovery "Rose-colored glasses experiences" can deeply affect how we perceive our past, present, and recovery journey. Here's what you may want or need to know:

�What Are"Rose-Colored Glasses" in Recovery?

Wearing rose-colored glasses means seeing things—especially the

past—through a filter that makes them seem better than they really were. In

recovery, this often shows up as:

• Romanticizing drinking days

• Minimizing past consequences

• Forgetting the pain that led to sobriety

� Why Is This Important in Recovery?

1. Triggers Relapse Thinking

She may start to believe, "It wasn’t that bad,” or “I was more fun back

then,” which can undermine sobriety.

2. Distorts Reality

It can block her ability to process trauma, own her progress, and make

healthy decisions.

3. Prevents Healing

Glossing over the truth keeps emotional wounds buried instead of healed.

� What She Might Ask or Explore:

• “Why am I only remembering the fun and not the aftermath?”

• “Am I avoiding pain by idealizing the past?”

• “How can I ground myself in the truth of what really happened?”

• “Is this a sign I need more support or emotional processing?”

  
  

⚒️Tools to Help:

• Journaling prompts like: “What did a typical drinking day really look like?”

  
  

• IFS or inner child work to uncover parts that miss the high but ignore the

  hurt.

  
  

• Reality-check conversations with a sponsor, therapist, or recovery group.

  
  

• Timeline of consequences to compare romanticized memories with the

  truth.

Affirmation:

“I can honor my past without glamorizing it. I choose truth, because that’s where

my healing lives.”