Life Inventory & Changing Self Abandonment

Life Inventory & Changing Self Abandonment

Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This episode of Domestic Abuse Recovery Journal shifts the focus to a different kind of sobriety: becoming "sober" from self-abandonment and toxic environments. Host Jennifer Mixon speaks candidly from her car, mid-road trip to training for a new nursing role, about hitting yet another life crossroads. She talks through ending her marriage, changing jobs, and re-evaluating friendships, all through the lens of self-worth and values.

Her approach is honest, a bit sweary, and very down-to-earth, which makes heavy topics feel surprisingly relatable. A major thread is the idea of doing a "life inventory"—examining work, relationships, and friendships to see what’s fuelling low self-worth and constant unhappiness. Jennifer explains how ignoring misaligned values and repeated boundary violations is just another form of abandoning yourself.

As she puts it, "If you're unhappy and you know that you want change in your life, you have to do something about it." She shares how staying in relationships and friendships that don’t align with her values left her emotionally unsafe and exhausted, and how choosing herself has meant leaving a marriage, stepping away from long-term friends, and walking out of uncomfortable situations in the moment.

She’s clear that this process is uncomfortable, messy, and sometimes lonely—but also that it brings genuine relief and a stronger sense of safety. For anyone recovering from domestic abuse, toxic relationships, or addictive dynamics, this episode feels like a practical guide to putting yourself back at the centre of your own life. It might leave you asking: which parts of your life still cost you your self-respect, and what would it look like to finally walk away?