Getting and staying sober is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. And yet, that doesn’t mean regrets haven´t cropped up along my journey to recovery.

I thought I ́d share those with you today…

Regret #1: Wasted Time

I regret the many years I wasted allowing my drinking to make me feel like shit. So much time wasted! And, oh my heavens – the hangovers! 

You know what I’m talking about…the queasiness, the hammering headaches and the shakes.

I’m so thankful that time is helping me overcome my memories of those brutal hangovers. While I still remember having them, I no longer feel them. 

And that’s amazing on its own! 

Regret #2: Bad Behavior

When I think back to when I was drinking, I have regrets around the impact alcohol had on my behavior. There are a few memories – especially during my last drinking years – that lead me to feel a great deal of shame and regret. Many of these memories will never be erased and some of them are what have helped keep me sober for more than ten years now. 

It’s important for me not to forget the past, in this respect. On the other hand, it’s equally important for me not to beat myself up about it either.

Regret #3: Waiting Too Long

Here’s the BIG one: I regret not asking for help before I did. I knew I had a problem and I was terrified to do anything about it. 

Over and over again, I let myself off the hook for not knowing what I didn’t know…and not being willing to look beneath the surface to try and find out. 

There’s a saying: It takes what it takes. 

I’m just grateful I woke up when I did.

One of the Lucky Ones

I ́m the first to admit how lucky I ́ve been. Lucky, in that I´m one of those whose story does not include the trauma of relapse. I am so grateful for that!

In many ways, I was surprised that this is the case. But then…

I never believed that relapse was an option for me. 

I was also lucky enough to have had a friend and neighbor in recovery. It took courage to ask her for help and I am so deeply grateful I did.

On Living Life Differently

Let me just be blunt here…It takes guts to get sober. This is not for sissies. 

While it´s simple, it is definitely not easy. 

I´m not trying to scare you. The simple truth of the matter is this:

The decision to get sober is the choice to live life differently. 

Quite often it means having to change “playgrounds and playmates” as part of the process. I know it did for me. 

As I wrote at the beginning, getting and staying sober is the best thing I’ve ever done for myself. And you know why that is? 

Because it opened the door to a freedom I never thought I´d fine in my life. And that´s priceless! 

Until next time,

xoxo

Nancy