I never considered myself a perfectionist but, today when South Orange County Detox and Treatment took us to the skate park, I got stuck a couple times during the skateboarding session. I’ve been skateboarding throughout my entire life and when I was younger I was always the best, until I broke my ankle and had to have surgery. This kept me off my board for a very long time. When I finally got back on my board I expected that I would be as skilled as I was before the injury. In the past, barely landing a trick was never good enough for me because I always wanted to be the best. Since I’ve been at South Orange County Detox and Treatment and have acquired more sober time than I ever had before, I’ve learned that this kind of perfectionist thinking will never let me move ahead and try new things. Now I tell myself, “Don’t get stuck on one trick and beat yourself up; there’s so much more out there to skate!” I also try and apply this thinking to other parts of my life and my recovery program. When you get stuck and feel like you’re not progressing, keep pushing forward.