A year, 12 months, 365 days since a drop of alcohol passed my lips, since smoke hit my lungs, since I stayed up all night, since I threw up, since I suffered hangxiety.
In this epic year, I’ve changed jobs, got a new car, lost 3.5 stone in weight, got rid of a toxic relationshit & gained addictions to walking & Magnums, Curly Wurly’s & podcasts.
I found my sobriety twin Steve, my SSS Emma & countless new fantastic sober friends through various online support groups Club Soda Together, Team Sober UK, Recovery Buddha & Gary Topley – alcohol awareness specialist. I can’t thank you all enough.
My blog has gone from strength to strength gathering followers from places such as New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Spain to name a few. I’ve made video blogs & been interviewed for podcasts. I’ve heard the worst stories that alcohol can do to a person but also epic success stories from people who had no hope.
I’ve cried a lot, laughed loads, been pissed off at the injustice that I can’t have ‘just the one’. I’ve sober dated & sober kissed & sober ran the other way. I’ve been on a sober holiday & went on a sober boat party.
I fell in love with Russell Brand, discovered audio books, started counselling, went to gong baths & hung in a cocoon.
I decluttered my flat, employed a cleaner, E-Bayed my old clothes, bought new clothes, purchased a bloody cagoule (yes really) & resized my rings.
I drank shit loads of Elderflower cordial, ate too many Curly Wurly’s, way too many Magnums & thousands of Lindor Balls. I discovered I do actually like cheese.
I got a tattoo & I decided I would never drink again.
Sobriety is so much more than not drinking alcohol. It is a way of life, a freedom like no other.
Without alcohol, I can do all the things I couldn’t do before. I sleep well, eat well, exercise regularly, love myself .. all the ingredients for a happy life.
Alcohol clouded my judgement about myself. It made me feel a failure, unworthy, fat, unloveable. I am none of these things without it.
Alcohol made me believe it was my friend, that I needed it in my life to be more confident, funnier, sexier, a better person.
Alcohol is a lying bastard.
Will I drink again? Why on Earth would I? Alcohol made me sad, depressed & distorted my view of the world and myself. I never want to lose sight of the person I have become without it.
I am worthy. I am loveable. I am sober. I am free.
#year2day1
With mahoosive thanks to
Jen & her amazing Team Sober UK – https://m.facebook.com/groups/1622901908009979
Laura & fantastic Club Soda – https://joinclubsoda.co.uk
Gary & his fab group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/715729241889906
Penni & her awesome group – https://m.facebook.com/groups/1524386261221269
And EVERYONE who found me. You all rock 🙋🏻🐟
Congratulations on your sobriety.
You have been an inspiration from the day I discovered your blog.
I became sober after my last brush with alcohol, which was a dangerous binge drinking session, ending nearly in the hospital and definitely in tears!
I concur with all of the above, Life is much better without alcohol. I started my own blog, but since cats are my favorite animals, mine is called SoberCat (https://sobercats.wordpress.com)
Nothing like online groups or IRL groups seem to exist in Belgium alas
cheers from rainy Belgium
best line ‘why on earth would i’.sobriety can be fun with good company.outstanding.congratulations on clocking up the first year