When I got sober, I thought giving up alcohol was saying goodbye to all the fun and all the sparkle, and it turned out out to be just the opposite. Thats when the sparkle started for me
I celebrated 8 yrs sober this month April 16 th to be exact.
I’ve only really missed drinking three or four times. Mostly when I need a way to medicate overwhelming anxiety and when my mother passed away.
For me I had to be honest about my disease and that I understood that it would kill me if I didn’t take it seriously and diligently pursued recovery. My obsession with recovery has to always be stronger than my obsession to numb reality used to be. Is reality always pleasant? Of course not there are times when I’m exhausted and feeling I just need a break. I used to take breaks all the time and then it got so confusing that I could not function. I couldn’t be social without it, couldn’t relax without it and couldn’t think about it not being in my life.
Here’s what I know
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Don't ever give up on yourself and keep showing up. It's never too late to turn things around. I promise.
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Ask for help. You'll be touched by who shows up and supports you on your journey. Hold those people as close as you can and let them know how much they mean to you, always.
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Be kind to yourself. Everyone makes mistakes and goes through rough periods. Most important thing is learning and giving life your best each day.
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You're capable of such incredible things. Don't let whatever you're struggling with define you and be your story. You'll surprise yourself with how far you can go and what you can accomplish.