DRINKS KITCHEN

Here I am at 6 months sober. And feeling different this time. I have had sober periods before but always started up again. But this time, it feels like I identify as someone who doesn’t drink and I can say that with confidence. Like drinking alcohol isn’t  even a part of me anymore.

I suppose the only uncomfortable part is the response that I get from other people when I say that I don’t drink. I get it! I used to give the same response. How do you function? Internally thinking what is WRONG with you? But I guess now I feel empathy for those that were brave enough to tell me that, in days gone by, and now I would respond with curiosity not judgement.

It is simple for me. I didn’t like what drink did to me and I stopped pure and simple because I wanted to be better for my children. I fell into that category of a glass of wine or G&T whilst prepping and cooking dinner. I wasn’t having big nights out and getting smashed. But it was still affecting me. I would fall asleep either putting my boys to bed or shortly afterwards on the sofa. It had had the desired effect of relaxing me, creating that wind down after a busy day. But I then lost out and didn’t have an evening and some carved out time not being all the things I had been during the day. And then I felt resentful and complained of never having enough time for me.

As I mentioned earlier, I had dabbled with having sober periods. To prove to myself that I could be without alcohol. And I could. But looking at the hold it had on members of my family was the awakening I needed. When it is affecting your health and still not being able to stop was the final push I needed. And that was it! 6 months ago…