Six Months! Who'd have thunk it?

Not me.

On the 9th May 2015, I had been barely able to string 6 consecutive alcohol- free days together. Six months wasn't just inconceivable, it was completely out of my realm of thinking.

If you read many of the other blogs written by brave, witty inspiring people, all of them will tell you about the many benefits to health, joyous changes to their relationships, the ability to deal with daily problems that, when drinking, seemed insurmountable. The Sober Life.

Some ladies have dealt and are dealing with adversity - serious illness, divorce, bereavement, and they've shared it with us. Some of you, who choose not to blog or comment are facing these issues too, I'm sure, and we're all here for you.

I've read blogs, some desperate, about trying and trying again, not understanding why they cannot seem to escape that iron grip on their life....and we've all been there too. We know. Hang in there.

Every one of us deserves a cheer. A hug. A virtual "high five!"

Today I am not only six months without a drink, this is also my 100th blog post. And when I was thinking about what to write - it would be nice to impart some wisdom, right? - it occurred to me that the biggest change in my life was staring me right in the face.

Up until now, I have wandered through life, in and out of jobs, in and out of relationships, even in and out of continents, without any real purpose..

The only consistency I've really had in my life, was giving up when it all got a bit mundane, or a bit hard. And when it did, then I cast myself as the victim.....it was never about me, it was always the other person, it was always the manager, or my partner, or or or.....

In fact writing 100 blogs may not seem like a huge achievement to anyone, but for me, it's BIG.

And I have no intention of stopping. I may write in a different genre, I may set up a website, there are a hundred possibilities popping into my head, but for the first time ever....I'm sticking with it.

I'm sticking with you guys. My new crowd. My tribe.

For me, getting sober started out because I feared for my health, I was overweight, I felt shitty the whole time, I was losing friendships, I was screwing up my marriage.....and you could be making the decision to change all those thing in your life too, and those are great reasons....and you can do it!

But somewhere along your sober journey, you'll get an "aha" moment, and you'll realize, like me, that it's so much more than you ever dreamed possible..and it was there in front of you the whole time.

I have no idea what will happen in the next six months. But I know it will be good. I'll be open for new ideas, new opportunities and new directions.

I'm looking forward to it. Why don't you join me?

Love, WB xx.








 



 

The Numbers and The Words.

I've been told that I am very analytical. I'm a "numbers" person.

I'm not sure about that, but I do love the order and certainty that numbers bring. Two plus two will always add up to four, despite the chaos and drama that swirls in the Universe. It's something you can rely on.

In my first days of sobriety I relied on numbers a lot.

10 days without alcohol
2 pound of weight lost
4 extra hours of productivity a day
50 dollars saved

The mounting numbers both reassured me and spurred me on - I can do it! Look at my achievement!

If you are reading this on a rainy Monday hungover morning, and want to start on a lifetime journey without alcohol - my first advice to you is..... hang on to the numbers they will sustain you - at first!

As you progress, the numbers become less important - they don't tell the whole story.

 Numbers won't tell you about the tranquility of an early summer morning, drinking coffee on the porch, the feeling of clarity and optimism

Numbers won't provide you with the inner pride you feel after a day's productivity, giving your best self to the job in hand.

Numbers won't fill you with joy and laughter on a Sunday afternoon at the beach watching the kids play.

So for me, words have taken the place of numbers. Words written in this blog, words written by many others on this same journey.

Words bring mindfulness. Words remind you of the journey, the evenings with clenched hands as you ward off the Wine Witch, words warn you when you hear the sirens sing to you. Words give you strength and meaning and hope. Words warm you and comfort you.

I missed writing my blog for a few days. I got busy. I got fidgety. I missed my words. I hadn't realized how important they were to me.

It might not be words for you. It might be meditation or prayer. But you will need something to keep you mindful, once the numbers have completed their work.

Thank you for reading my words, 

Have a fantastic week

WB xx.