September 24th, 2018
After reminiscing about my wedding anniversary yesterday, I realized that this month is also another important anniversary for me. This month makes my 6 month soberversary. It’s kind of funny because I will get the occasion pull or sad feeling about no longer drinking alcohol but it is just that, occasional and fleeting. As I am getting further away from that life and the days are adding up, drinking is just not something that I’m terribly missing in my life. When I started the course I told myself I would try to commit to the 6 weeks and see how it goes. After getting through the six weeks rather easily, or much more easily than I expected to, I said, ok, let’s get to Day 100. Katie Bee, the designer of the course encourages everyone to, “take sobriety for a proper test drive” at 100 days. And so I did. I think that is one of reasons why I started writing at 150 days, I felt like I needed another little challenge, a fun one.
Sitting here at Day 161, I am taking a moment to reflect on what has happened over the last six months. I don’t take a lot of time to pause and I will often run from one “goal” to the next, not that I am always successful, but if you don’t step back and look at your accomplishments, it can feel a bit like running a marathon on a treadmill. Sure, you’ve gone the distance but you haven’t taken anything in along the way.
Without further ado, here is some of what has changed over the past six months: I stopped drinking alcohol. I started running and ran my first official 5k with a group of ladies I meet at 7am, every Sunday morning, to run with. (We are also running another 5K coming up very soon and the group has agreed to wear t-shirts in support of my business, which I very much appreciate and their support feels so very kind to me.) I’ve lost 37 lbs. I’ve started thinking much more seriously (although still apprehensively) about motherhood. I’ve started thinking much more seriously (although still apprehensively) about quitting smoking cigarettes. I’m feeling more confident, although still unsure of what everything is leading up to. I’m learning more about myself. I’m trying to be kinder to myself. I’m happier. My anxiety is down to all time lows (for me) completely naturally. I’ve saved over $2500.00. I’ve met people I wouldn’t have otherwise met and crushed new goals. I have a long way to go on this journey, and it will keep changing.
When I first started the course, the idea of never having another drink again was absolutely terrifying. The day before I began the course I had a major panic attack. It took me over a week to get with the program and go completely alcohol free with my course mates. One of the things I could have never predicted when I began this journey is that after 161 days, I simply do not have a place for alcohol in my life right now. I have taken the time and energy that I would’ve otherwise spent on planning, drinking and recovering and introduced new interests and goals. I don’t know what will happen in the future, but at the moment, I am looking forward to continuing this journey and hoping to learn all that I can and take advantage of every moment and spending more time doing what I truly love to do.
150 Days 