I didn’t plan to be an alcoholic. I didn’t plan to live a life of recovery. But here I am, seven years in, leading a pretty kick-ass life. A better life than the one I contemplated over most nights after a glass or two (Rather, bottle or two) of wine. I thought all of my problems would be solved when… When I got a pay raise. When I got a promotion and found the love of my life, you see the pattern. Once one or all of those conditions were met, I would not have to drink so much. Problem solved!
Here are seven actual things that happened for me by putting down the bottle on August 23, 2015.
1.) I had free time to try new things! Travel, write a book, obtain certifications, truly show up for my family, do crafts!
2.) People became kinder & less critical
3.) Silence became a gift rather than a fear
4.) I became the woman I’d want my future husband to marry
5.) The recovery community became my extended family
6.) Because I got sober I got the promotion, the husband, the kid
7.) I get to be there for others along this journey and that is a gift I could never have expected.
Connection is the opposite of addiction.
And for all of that, I am truly grateful! Thank you for seven incredible years!
Speak Out Speak Loud is a space echoing Madonna’s call to “Express yourself!” This is where our readers and contributors take center stage, sharing their transformative sobriety journeys. Often, sobriety uncovers hidden talents, abilities, and new avenues of self-expression. By sharing these stories, we not only facilitate personal healing but also offer hope to those still navigating the path of recovery. So, let’s raise our voices, Speak Out, and Speak Loud! In doing so, we combat the silence that often shrouds addiction, offering solace and inspiration.
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SOBER SPOTLIGHT: Sarah Alaimo, Career Happiness Coach, Author of Pearls & Probation – Adventures of an Alcoholic Good Girl and The X Factor
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