05/11/2024
Today marks 7 months sober...
In October 2023, I officially hit rock bottom.
I was working every waking moment.
A relationship ended.
I was in a new city with no community or friends.
I had no vision for what I actually wanted in life.
I felt disconnected from God.
It was tough.
What made it tougher was going out at the end of the week for business networking and drinks, or having a weekday glass of wine to settle my brain down. I didn’t know what it was, but I realized something massive had to change.
So, I figured I’d cut alcohol for a little while (I did not think it would last this long).
Month 1: I saw no effect. By my own choice, I was a lot less social so I didn’t have to deal with the temptation and explaining that “I don’t drink” to people.
Months 2 & 3: I started to see changes in my sleep, my body composition, and a peace over my thoughts. I started challenging myself to be social despite not drinking and saw success. At the end of a night, I felt great and in the morning, I felt even better. The past memories of late nights drinking actually made me grateful that I was on this journey.
Months 4 to now: I go out all the time and am an avid drinker. People try to buy me drinks, and I tell them straight up, “I don’t drink.” Most of the time, they look at me sideways and tell me they thought I was drinking the entire time... guess my sober personality is not so bad after all. lol
But in all seriousness, the best part is the mental clarity and the deep connection to God that comes from not drinking. You can no longer run away from your problems; you have to work through them, and that’s powerful.
Especially, to become all of who God created you to be…
I’ve learned that not drinking provides the opportunity & space to envision and build a better life.
I’m not saying I’ll never drink again... in fact, a glass of wine overlooking an ocean sunset with my future spouse is inevitable. For now, I’m taking it one day at a time and listening to what God is guiding me to do.
Thank you to my people; who have been there; supporting & loving me through the journey... you know who you are.
-JC