When I stopped drinking six years ago, I wasn’t sure how I was going to navigate social situations. Alcohol is a part of so many occasions, and I didn’t completely realize that until I removed alcohol from the equation. I wasn't going to stop socializing altogether, so I came up with some strategies to be … Continue reading 5 Strategies of a Non-drinker
sobriety
A Life Lost
A friend of mine recently lost a 53-year-old family member. She died from cirrhosis of the liver brought about by heavy drinking. My friend was aware of her drinking and had spoken to her about it at least once. No one knew she had cirrhosis though. She leaves behind two young-adult sons. Now I didn’t … Continue reading A Life Lost
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Reflections on 2018
As December progresses, and the year draws to a close, I think about where I’ve been and where I’m going. This was another year of big changes and growth. I am mostly healed from my divorce. My kids’ dad left for good in December of 2014. It’s been four years of learning how to single-parent. … Continue reading Reflections on 2018
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Surprise! You’re Growing.
Sometimes growth surprises you. I have always been kind of a fan of control. (This is a nice way of saying control freak, but let’s not use that term, ok?) I like things the way I like them, and I usually don’t mind just doing those things myself if it means they’ll meet my satisfaction … Continue reading Surprise! You’re Growing.
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Reflections on Sobriety
When I first stopped drinking back in 2013, I remember thinking that losing my crutch was going to be incredibly hard. I had been using alcohol for years to numb. I numbed loneliness mainly. I had gone for periods of time without drinking – when I was pregnant and nursing, when I was trying to … Continue reading Reflections on Sobriety
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Sliced-up Life
Three years ago today, I was sitting in my attorney’s office as my soon-to-be-ex-husband sat in the office next door with his attorney. We spent the day slicing up the life we had built together, with this asset going here, and that asset going there. We had to agree on where our kids would be … Continue reading Sliced-up Life
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Today and Probably Tomorrow
Until I was in my mid-40’s, I believed I could control things in my life. I believed that if I did THIS, then THAT would happen. I believed that if I cared for someone with all-consuming love, then surely they felt the same way about me. I believed that my life was what it was … Continue reading Today and Probably Tomorrow
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Day #1826
I had a beer at one of the local breweries during a book club meeting with some friends. It was a cold IPA, hoppy and delicious, served in a glass with the brewing company’s logo. There were nachos involved as well because that place has good ones. I talked and laughed and ate, and I … Continue reading Day #1826
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The Chance
One late night, a drunk person told me some cold, hard truths about myself. Hearing about the less-than-desirable parts of yourself is rough. Most of us already know them but actually hearing them spoken out loud to you by another human being can be jarring. I had been resistant to hearing things like this in … Continue reading The Chance
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1460
I quit drinking four years ago. I'd made the decision on a sunny day in Manhattan, and then four days later the world as I knew it fell apart. I don't think there's anything weird or coincidental about that. I think the Universe was giving me a head start on a new life. Alcohol had … Continue reading 1460
Meatballs & Butterflies 