"Robin" from TTPD
At Swift Steps, we use lyrics and songs to reflect on our own experiences with addiction, mental health, and recovery—both mine and our members.
This week's song struck a chord with many of us, leading to some amazing discussions and insights. I want to assure you that I will never share what our members discuss because of our confidentiality promises.
However, I do gather my own thoughts before the meetings, and I’m excited to share them with you each week!
“I want to assure you that I will never share what our members discuss because of our confidentiality promises.“
This week’s song is "Robin” from TTPD.
If you wanna take a listen:
Finding Freedom in "Robin"
This week’s reflection is inspired by "Robin," a song that feels like a conversation with the child within us—the bold, curious, and fearless part of ourselves that existed before fear, shame, and self-doubt crept in. For me, it’s a reminder of the unrestrained curiosity I may have lost along the way and the resilience I’ve worked hard to reclaim in recovery.
“ ‘Robin,’ is a song that feels like a conversation with the child within us—the bold, curious, and fearless part of ourselves that existed before fear, shame, and self-doubt crept in.”
The lyrics speak to the messiness of growth, the courage it takes to embrace imperfection, and the joy of rediscovering what makes us feel alive. As I reflected on "Robin," I found echoes of my own recovery journey—how structure and accountability gave me the foundation to rebuild, and how every step forward felt like reclaiming a piece of that lost freedom.
Verse 1
"Long may you reign / You're an animal / You are bloodthirsty / Out window panes talking utter nonsense / You have no idea."
This verse makes me imagine the younger me—the one who maybe lived with more freedom before fear and perfectionism took over. I don’t remember being unrestrained or carefree, but I must’ve been that way at some point. Before addiction, trauma, and self-doubt, there was likely a part of me that followed curiosity without fear.
“I don’t remember being unrestrained or carefree, but I must’ve been that way at some point. Before addiction, trauma, and self-doubt, there was likely a part of me that followed curiosity without fear.”
In recovery, I’ve had to reconnect with that part of myself. For me, it wasn’t about journaling or therapy. It was about creating structure and accountability—going to meetings, working out six days a week, and cutting ties with people and places that kept me stuck. I changed my phone number so old dealers couldn’t reach me and blocked people on social media who threatened my progress.
Jack even changed our home in preparation for my homecoming. My treatment center taught a class to family members and he learned that the environment I returned to needed to be different from the one I left and used in. Clearing that space gave me room to start building something better.
Pre-Chorus
"Strings tied to levers, slowed down clocks tethered, all this showmanship / To keep it, for you, / In sweetness."
“The effort wasn’t about perfection—it was about showing up and doing the work, no matter how overwhelming it felt.”
This line captures the delicate balance of early recovery. My “levers and clocks” weren’t about introspection; they were about action. Meetings and workouts became my anchors, helping me stay accountable while I figured out how to live sober.
It wasn’t glamorous, but it worked. That structure gave me space to rediscover little moments of joy, moments of sweetness that addiction had buried. The effort wasn’t about perfection—it was about showing up and doing the work, no matter how overwhelming it felt.
Chorus
"Way to go, Tiger / Higher and higher / Wilder and lighter / For you."
This chorus feels like the cheerleader I never had but always needed. Recovery taught me to celebrate progress, not perfection. Every meeting, every workout, every small step forward was a victory—even if it wasn’t flawless.
The same mindset carried me through launching Swift Steps. Sharing my story on TikToks, podcasts, and going into rehabs and holding pop up events is terrifying. But I remind myself that progress comes from taking risks, even when the outcomes are guaranteed. Every leap has made me feel a little freer, a little wilder, and a little lighter.
“But I remind myself that progress comes from taking risks, even when the outcomes are guaranteed. Every leap has made me feel a little freer, a little wilder, and a little lighter.”
Verse 2
"Long may you roar / At your dinosaurs / You're a just ruler / Covered in mud, you look ridiculous / And you have no idea."
“It was messy, uncomfortable, and scary, but it was also where I found the most growth. ”
This verse feels like a nod to the person I’m trying to become again. Recovery has been about letting myself get messy—embracing the discomfort of vulnerability and imperfection.
Launching Swift Steps was like stepping into the mud. It was messy, uncomfortable, and scary, but it was also where I found the most growth. Whether it was sharing my story online or any of the other things, I learned to roar through the fear and trust the process.
Pre-Chorus
"Buried down deep and out of your reach, the secret we all vowed to keep it, from you, / In sweetness."
This line reminds me of the fears I buried for years—the fear of failure, the shame of not being enough, and the belief that I couldn’t start unless I had everything figured out. Recovery was about unearthing those fears and proving to myself that they didn’t define me. Reminded myself that progress, not perfection, is what matters. I didn’t need to have all the answers to start—I just needed to start.
“I didn’t need to have all the answers to start—I just needed to start.”
Bridge
"You got the dragonflies above your bed / You have a favorite spot on the swing set / You have no room in your dreams for regrets."
“Regret doesn’t belong here because there’s too much possibility ahead.”
This bridge hits me hard. Recovery taught me that there’s no space for regret in the life I’m building. Every slip, every mistake, every uncomfortable moment has been a lesson. They didn’t erase my progress—they strengthened it.
With Swift Steps, I’ve carried that same mindset. Every misstep is an opportunity to learn, and every step forward—no matter how small—is worth celebrating. Regret doesn’t belong here because there’s too much possibility ahead.
Verse 3
"The time will arrive for the cruel and the mean / You'll learn to bounce back just like your trampoline."
This verse is resilience in a nutshell. Recovery hasn’t made life easier, but it’s taught me how to bounce back. Slips didn’t erase the work I’d done—they reminded me why I was doing it.
Building Swift Steps has tested that resilience in new ways. There were so many moments I doubted myself, but I kept going because I knew growth only happens when you take risks. Even if I didn’t stick the landing, I always learned something valuable.
Chorus
"Way to go, Tiger / Higher and higher / Wilder and lighter / For you."
“Every step forward, no matter how messy, is worth celebrating. 👏”
The final chorus feels like a victory lap. It’s not about doing everything perfectly; it’s about showing up and trying. Recovery and Swift Steps have both taught me that progress is enough. Every step forward, no matter how messy, is worth celebrating.
Reflection
"Robin" feels like a conversation with the part of me I’m learning to rediscover—the ruler in the mud who isn’t afraid to fail or look ridiculous. Recovery has shown me that failing doesn’t mean I’m a failure—it means I’m human.
Swift Steps has been the ultimate test of stepping outside my comfort zone and doing the work, even when it terrifies me. Whether it’s sharing my story, leading meetings, or building this community, I’m reminded every day that growth comes from showing up, even when it’s imperfect.
Here’s to going higher and higher, wilder and lighter—for ourselves, for recovery, and for everything we’re building. I just wanna say to all of you and to myself “Way to go, Tiger!”
“Recovery has shown me that failing doesn’t mean I’m a failure—it means I’m human.”
Feeling connected to this reflection? Join us for our next Swift Steps meeting where we explore the emotional challenges of growth, love, and recovery. Our community is here to support you.
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