A life without drinking…

Can you even imagine your life without drinking? I know couldn’t. Honestly. I almost never attended gatherings or events where there wasn’t some kind of alcohol available. Just about everything I did presented me with the opportunity of having a cocktail, or two – sometimes more.

 Seriously? My Problem Is Chardonnay?

Even before I got to the point of quitting alcohol, I ́d realized I had a problem. Deep down, I knew it was the chardonnay that was dimming my light. Drinking was weaving a veil between me and the life I truly wanted to have. I often sat on my patio reading spiritual books, a glass of wine at my side and a cigarette in my hand, wondering why I couldn’t seem to successfully do what was laid out so clearly in the book before me.  

To be honest, I was resisting making the connection between my chardonnay and the lack of fulfillment I was feeling in my life. Back then, I just wanted to be able to drink normally – in fact, I still wish I could. 

But that is not my reality. When I drink, I want more. And that’s my problem.

 In Search of a Role Model

That’s when I realized that what I wanted – no, needed – was a role model. Someone who had come to the same realization; someone who had recognized that drinking was getting in her way and was able to do what it took to quit. 

But, I didn’t know of anyone like that. 

If, at the time, I ́d been paying attention, Anne Lamott could have been that inspirational role model for me…but unfortunately, I wasn’t. 

These days, there are so many more women open about how drinking was a problem for them. Brené Brown, Jen Sincero, Glennon Doyle are just a few of the women who continue to inspire me.

 If all I do is inspire YOU…

I wish I could say that I’m special, famous or amazing like the women I mentioned above. But I’m not any of those things. What I am is someone who has been sober for more than 10 years. Which also means that when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer nearly 5 years ago, I did not need alcohol to get me through it. 

There are women who have told me that I’m an inspiration. Hearing that humbles me every single time. 

One thing that really warms my heart is inspiring women who are suffering and wondering how their life could be better if they quit drinking. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who’s “been there”. If that’s what you need, I ́m here to help.