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 🙋🏻🐟