Throughout my entire life my family has struggled with addiction, they may not realize it but I do. I’m not sure if it’s in our genes but it seems inevitable that eventually we will all rely on a substance or drink or object to help us get by and help us live with ourselves. I’ve accepted this fact but should I really fall a victim to addiction? Being addicted to anything is harmful even if that thing is good for you; anything in excessive amounts is dangerous. It’s a matter of understanding your addiction and getting help or helping yourself. Transcendentalism is such an ideal mindset that when adopted anyone can become whole and pure once more.
When you’re addicted to something nothing else matters it’s you and it. But by adopting the characteristics of transcendentalism it’s almost as if you become the best you, you can be. The main characteristics of transcendentalism are:
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Realizing the goodness of humanity and respect for all human beings
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Accepting the beauty and glory of nature
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Understanding the importance of free individual expression and self-reliance
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Non-conformity
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Simplifying life, reducing dependence on property
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Confidence

These are the things that almost every person wishes they could do or be. But addiction is almost selfish in a sense, sometimes you can’t help it but other times you just don’t want to stop. You’re so obsessed and caught up you can’t realize the goodness of humans and have respect for humans. You also can’t accept the beauty and glory of nature if you aren’t paying attention to it. You can’t do anything to better yourself if you’re not worried about yourself. Many addictions also start by following your peers which goes against transcendentalism. You should be non-conforming and have your own ideas and it’s also a matter of getting rid of the unnecessary things in life and many people’s addictions are extremely unnecessary to survival. The sixth and most important characteristic of transcendentalism is confidence. With confidence you can do anything including stopping addiction, it takes so much confidence to reach out for help from other people or even to get help from yourself.

If following and adopting the transcendentalism practice is not realistic for you there are multiple organizations that can help to conquer your addiction. A great organization that I found is the NAATP (National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers). But remember the first step is accepting you do have an addiction and trying to help yourself of seek help. Either way it’s the first step to recovery and a better life.