Back in the day…
When I was around six months sober (back in 2006), I vividly remember the first time I walked into a recovery gift shop in Ballard. This quaint shop was located in a hipster suburb of Seattle, Washington known for its Norwegian roots. All these years later, I can almost still smell the intense whiff of patchouli that greeted me as I opened the front door. The shop was located in a house built in the 1950s. This home turned retail destination was located on a hill in the middle of a neighborhood. It was blocks away from any other retail shops or restaurants.
Stop me before I add to cart again
Cautiously as I started to look around with curiosity, a fluffy orange cat crisscrossed around my ankles. The sounds of an indoor stone water fountain calmed my nerves. The tinkling of wind chimes heightened my senses as I peered through glass shelves. Everywhere I looked, I saw shelves and countertops stocked with crystals, books, and Himalayan salt lamps.
I never met a gift shop I didn’t like
I wasn’t really sure what I was looking for. Since I’ve never met a gift shop I didn’t like, I was fairly confident I’d be exiting with some newfound treasures. Near the makeshift register counter, my eyes were diverted to trays of handmade glittery necklaces, charms, and bracelets.
Prominently displayed next to the jewelry section was the largest selection of AA and NA medallions, commonly known as proud time “chips”, that I had ever seen. Immediately I thought to myself “Could I buy my first year of sobriety? Does it work like that?” I would have given anything for it to be that simple.
Recovery is most certainly not that simple, but I did walk out with a nondescript brown paper bag clenched between my fingers that included a handmade fabric book cover for my Big Book (common nickname used for the book Alcoholics Anonymous), a small silver AA necklace, and a sober greeting card for a new sober buddy that was celebrating one full year alcohol-free. I was just hoping I’d make it another 24 hours. “One day at a time” was a phrase I took quite literally in early recovery and over the years I have found that it still works.
Where can you buy things now?
Fast forward to today, and my oh my, how times have changed. With the swipe of a finger on your mobile phone, you can buy just about anything you want from just about anywhere. And the one place that has it all and can have it to you in less than two days? Amazon. Sometimes I like to tell myself, since I live in Seattle, that when I shop on Amazon I am shopping “local”. HA! My alcoholic brain is always looking for loopholes. In the spirit of practicing the only sport I’ve ever really been good at; I bring you my curated “add to cart” list of fun things you can find on Amazon.
#ADDTOCART
Add to Cart – Recovery Merch on Amazon
#ADDTOCART: Recovery Gift Guide, Sober Gift Guide (thesobercurator.com)
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
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