Alcohol had a way of deluding my mind into feeling more inspired and excited about life.
That is of course only in small does. Then I’d cross over that threshold and basically poison myself sick and waste too many days hungover with shame and regret.
So I’ve decided to take a page out of ol Lady Vodka’s book and romanticize the little things throughout the day, but with a clear mind instead.
It helps me to see my sober journey through a more enchanting lens.
It’s the small things for me, like taking extra time to make a fancy mocktail or a coffee for myself.
To find a good book and read it down by the lake as if I’m from another time.
It helps me to stay in the moment and think of something I can do then and there that will help me heal and nurture myself.
Sometimes it means just sitting with my feelings as if they’re visitors stopping by for some tea.
Sometimes it means starting a creative project or watching a favorite film or series.
I especially love to find recipes of different cultures I’ve never tried and take the time to cook it for a loved one.
What are some of the things you do that help you heal or that inspire you on your journey?
Exercise (especially cardio) helps me heal, because no matter what happens the rest of the day, I know I started and finished (and achieved) one thing: doing my exercise. (The endorphins help me walk through my day more peacefully too )
What a great idea! It’s working out for me too, I need those endorphins, but also sitting on my porch with a cup of tea just enjoying nature and being fully present.
I’ve really begun to appreciate nature again. I never realized how amazing the sky is. It’s always been there, but I guess I wasn’t looking up much before. The shapes of the clouds, the colors in a sunset, it’s different everyday. Trees and plants…gorgeous! Wild animals, even the bugs…all amazing creatures! I just really get a sense of peacefulness when I’m around it all
Running in the early morning, listening to the birds outside and taking the most of summer with me. Finally I appreciate all these little things being sober now
No matter what time of day, or middle of the night, in case of needed action I am there and ready to go. I can drive or take flight at any moment without wondering if I’m going to vomit or feel hideously sweaty. I wake up for things rather than linger in my bed feeling horrendous and tired and horrible. I am much safer and that makes me feel amazing as safety was something I never offered myself for decades.
What a great one to be mindful and appreciative of.
You’re absolutely right.
With sobriety comes more independence and personal freedom.
I despise being at the mercy of anyone or anything else.
Just the other day I thought ‘can I be a person who drinks occasionally’ and immediately I remembered those moments of lingering in bed for hours feeling awful.
It’s just not worth the cost anymore.
When I was a kid juice was a luxury, Especially Tropicana juice. And we never got it at home.
Last week I realized that I still have that mindset, and the only time we actually have juice for breakfast is when we stay in hotels.
I can very much afford it, so I picked up one apple juice and one orange juice in the grocery store. Kids loved it, one loves apple the other one orange. So we have both. Not the Tropicana brand because it has pupl in it, kids didn’t like that
And now I’m looking forward to a glass of juice every morning.
It doesn’t sound like much, but it makes my day so much better.
)
