Not that I would ever choose to do it again, but these are the things I would have done differently if I were getting sober again.
When I reflect on the past 7.5 years of sobriety (at the time of publishing this), it was filled with so much heartache, tears, anger, confusion. But there were also so many moments of truth, clarity, and a lot of happiness.
So I composed this list in the hopes of inspiring you to see your own beauty, strength, and power. Because when you do, sobriety transforms the way you show up for yourself.
Grab a cup of coffee or tea, get comfy, and let’s help you rewrite your story one breath at a time.
RELATED: HOW A DATE WITH FATE GOT ME SOBER
TRUSTED MORE
I would have trusted more. Trusted the process. Trusted that I was being guided every step of the way by the Universe/God.
When I first got sober, I was so confused and disoriented that I was trying to micromanage every little thing in my life. Had I wholeheartedly trusted, I would have let go of fears and insecurities and allowed recovery to unfold organically.
SAW MY WORTH
For my entire life, I let others define the quantity and quality of what I was worth. I also happily and gratefully accepted the breadcrumbs thrown my way.
If I knew my worth back then, I would have walked away from everyone that placed those limitations on me the day I got sober.
A 21 day DIY sobriety program to awaken your inner guru so you can transform pain into power and purpose.
BELIEVED IN MYSELF
I knew things were going to be ok the moment I decided to get sober. But I had absolutely no faith in myself.
Back then, for me, quitting drinking wasn’t an act of courage. It was something to be ashamed of.
I didn’t even stop to recognize that I made a life altering decision and was doing it solo. So I just kept going hoping one day the shame and guilt would somehow miraculously disappear. It doesn’t and never does until we confront it.
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VALUED MY TIME & ENERGY
I was so self-sacrificing to the people who abused me when I first got sober because I was humiliated by my behavior during the drunk moments.
Of course, we need to right our wrongs. But I felt an overwhelming obligation to atone for the times I lashed out, spoke my mind, and established boundaries. We know relationships will never work when we over extend ourselves to those who are committed to misunderstanding us.
A 21 day DIY sobriety program to awaken your inner guru so you can transform pain into power and purpose.
RECOGNIZED MY STRENGTH
It takes strength to recognize our shortcomings. It takes courage to overcome them.
But back then, I was so ashamed of my own existence. So what sobriety meant to me was weakness, powerlessness, and defeat.
It isn’t. Sobriety is humbling and life changing in the most beautiful, transformative way we can imagine.
RELATED: HOW TO ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN’T DRINK AGAIN
EMBRACED VULNERABILITY
I was taught at a young age that vulnerability is a sign of weakness. So I never understood the raw power that comes from opening your heart to yourself and others.
Had I known differently, I would have been braver and embraced my vulnerability. I would have nurtured my scars with love and tenderness.
A 21 day DIY sobriety program to awaken your inner guru so you can transform pain into power and purpose.
HAD PATIENCE
I was trying to rush the healing, berating myself for not being spiritually evolved enough. When I look back, everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to. Nothing came a moment too soon or too late.
It’s been so worth it. But I didn’t always have patience or even appreciate how much I was growing.
How do you honor yourself in sobriety and what parts of yourself are you learning to embrace? Leave a comment below.
I’ll see you soon…in the meantime, love yourself so much that even a Hallmark Christmas movie would be jealous.
