"When I was less than 6 months sober and coming into my first summer AF, would often get a yearning for a glass of bubbly, but I knew the regret would really fuck me over. But still, I wanted something. Something to make the evening feel special, for me to feel special. So I practiced listening to that, and I still do. “What would make this [evening, birthday, vacation] feel special for me?” Maybe it's lighting a candle on the patio table, having a fancy seltzer in a pretty glass for book club meetings, or browsing in a bookstore when I would normally be cracking open a bottle on Sunday afternoon. I know these seemingly small things have the power to change the way I feel. It is an active, intentional shift that ends up feeling pretty damn good, and builds over time. Our brains want to fill the void left by drinking, but we need to interrupt the default to alcohol by replacing the behaviours with better choices*. This is part of letting go. The special isn't in the wine bottle – it won't get you there. “There is no 'there' there.” I don't know who originally said that, but I know it's true for me." - K.K. I escape wholly and fabulously whenever my world becomes too much and in doing so, I do not hurt one other human being on this planet and more importantly, I don't hurt myself. Here's the deal, over-drinking is one of the greatest acts of self-harm that exists on this planet and women globally are shattering their lives daily with a bottle in their hand. So, can we please face into Sunday being resolute in our ability to practice self-care on the RED-FLAG days which are NOT ALWAYS THE BIG FAMILY DINNER but in fact the bolognese supper the day after when we are alone, tired, and deflated….STOP taking a hand grenade to all we love in this world. In the words of a lady at a zoom support meeting…
We don't have to do this perfectly. We just need to do it sober. On those days, lean in on your sober connections, join a meeting, listen to a podcast, and practice self-care knowing, that red flag days are not ALWAYS the family wedding…
Please join me in the Dawn Sober Chorus, saying not today lady, not today.
' At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you'. Denzel
Love Susan
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