Episode 639 When Old Patterns Return: Finding Yourself Again After Spiritual GrowthEpisode 639 When Old Patterns Return: Finding Yourself Again After Spiritual Growth
Busy Living Sober with Host Elizabeth Chance
Elizabeth “Bizzy” Chance reflects on how old patterns can creep back in after spiritual growth and sobriety work. She shares her own struggles with routines, anxiety and self-judgement while offering practical, faith-based tools and gentle encouragement to keep going.
22:56•12 May 2026
When Old Patterns Creep Back: Finding Yourself Again After Spiritual Growth
Episode Overview
- Noticing yourself slipping back into old behaviour is a sign of awareness, not failure.
- Familiar routines can feel safe yet keep you small, so small changes can open space for joy and connection.
- Support from therapists, sponsors and honest friends helps you carry others only if you’re also unloading your own burdens.
- Focusing solely on character defects blocks growth; remembering personal strengths brings balance and hope.
- Acceptance means seeing where you’re repeating the same left turn and choosing a different path, even when it feels uncomfortable.
“You can't change the existence of old patterns, but you can change whether or not you're going to follow them.”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety? This candid solo talk from Busy Living Sober host Elizabeth “Bizzy” Chance sits right in that messy middle ground where spiritual highs meet everyday life. Fresh from a retreat, she shares how quickly that euphoric clarity can fade once you’re back home feeding the dogs at five, watching TV at eight, and slipping into autopilot.
She talks about old patterns returning, from constant self‑criticism to over-busyness and ADHD-style multitasking, and admits, “I can feel myself slipping back into the old routine… and I hate it about myself.” Instead of pretending everything’s fine, she leans into honesty: noticing the slide is progress in itself. Bizzy reminds anyone in recovery that simply catching yourself is a sign you’re awake and paying attention.
She also stresses the importance of support, sharing her search for a therapist and how hard it can be to find the right fit, comparing it to trying different meetings or churches until something clicks. You’ll hear her talk about anxiety, serenity, and the comfort of familiar routines that keep people small, along with the small shifts she’s making: less news, more laughter, silly TV instead of violent shows, daily prayer, meditation, and journalling.
She challenges the habit of obsessing over “character defects” and asks, “But what are you good at?” urging people in sobriety to remember their strengths as much as their flaws. This episode speaks directly to those who’ve worked hard on themselves, only to feel old behaviours creeping back in. If you’ve ever wondered why you keep turning left at the same crossroads, Bizzy’s story might help you feel less alone and more willing to try going right for once.
What tiny change could you make today to break your own old pattern?
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