https://missiondrivengoods.com/pages/twenty-percent

Twenty Percent, Kansas City, MO (2026)

01/23/2026

One of the hardest parts of staying sober for me isn’t saying no to alcohol.
It’s learning how to feel everything without it.

Alcohol used to be my volume k**b.
Too loud? Turn it down.
Too heavy? Blur it out.
Too uncomfortable? Escape.

Now, I don’t get that shortcut.

When I’m angry, I have to sit with it.
When I’m anxious, I have to breathe through it.
When I’m sad, I have to let it pass instead of drowning it.

Some days I do that well.
Some days I don’t.

But here’s what I’ve learned: emotions aren’t the enemy. Avoiding them was.

Feelings rise, peak, and fall whether I drink or not. The difference now is I remember them. I learn from them. I don’t wake up ashamed of how I handled them.

Sobriety didn’t make life easier.
It made it honest.

And slowly, painfully at times, I’m learning that I’m strong enough to handle my emotions exactly as they are — without numbing, without running, without alcohol.

If you’re in this place too, struggling with feelings you used to mute… you’re not broken. You’re healing.

One real emotion at a time. ❤️

01/22/2026

I bought this hat as a reminder.
Not just for me—but for anyone who needs to hear it today.

“Take care of your mental health.”

For a long time, I ignored mine. I pushed through, numbed out, told myself I was fine when I wasn’t. I thought strength meant silence. I thought slowing down meant failing. I was wrong.

Taking care of your mental health isn’t selfish.
It isn’t weak.
And it definitely isn’t optional.

It looks like asking for help.
It looks like setting boundaries.
It looks like choosing rest, honesty, therapy, recovery, medication, prayer, movement—or whatever keeps you grounded and alive.

Some days, taking care of your mental health means doing the hard work.
Other days, it simply means surviving the day.

Both count.

If you’re struggling right now, you’re not broken—and you’re not alone. Please talk to someone. Please keep going. The world needs you here.

And if you’re doing okay today, check on someone who might not be. Sometimes a simple “How are you really?” can save a life.

Take care of your mental health.
I’m trying to. ❤️

01/21/2026

The Serenity Prayer has never been just words to me. It’s been a lifeline.

In my alcohol recovery, I’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—that I can’t control everything. I can’t control other people, the past, the chaos of the world, or the mistakes I made while I was drinking. Fighting that reality kept me sick for a long time.

“Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”
That line reminds me to stop exhausting myself trying to fix what’s already done.

“Courage to change the things I can…”
That’s where my recovery lives. Showing up. Asking for help. Being honest. Choosing not to drink today. Making amends. Doing the work even when it’s uncomfortable.

“And the wisdom to know the difference.”
That part grounds me. It keeps me from spiraling, from blaming myself for things that aren’t mine to carry, and from avoiding responsibility for the things that are.

The Serenity Prayer brings me back to the present. It reminds me that sobriety isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being willing. Willing to accept. Willing to change. Willing to keep going.

One day at a time, this prayer helps me stay sober, stay humble, and stay alive. 💙

01/18/2026

Anxiety doesn’t always look like panic.
Sometimes it’s a tight chest. A racing mind. The feeling that you’re behind before the day even starts.

If you’re carrying anxiety right now, you’re not weak—and you’re definitely not alone. It’s your nervous system trying to protect you, even when it’s a little too loud.

Here are a few gentle ways to work with anxiety instead of fighting it:

• Name it. Saying “this is anxiety” can take away some of its power.
• Breathe slower than you think you need to. Long exhales tell your body it’s safe.
• Move your body. A short walk, stretching, or even standing outside for a minute helps release stored tension.
• Limit the noise. Too much news, scrolling, or caffeine can quietly fuel anxiety.
• Ground yourself. Look for 5 things you can see, 4 you can feel, 3 you can hear—bring your mind back to right now.
• Talk to someone. Anxiety thrives in isolation. It softens when it’s shared.

You don’t have to “fix” everything today.
You don’t have to feel calm all the time.
Progress can be as simple as getting through the moment with a little more compassion for yourself.

If today feels heavy, be gentle.
If anxiety shows up, meet it with patience—not judgment.

You’re doing the best you can. And that is enough. 💙

01/18/2026

Depression, anxiety, and addiction are real in the animal welfare community—and we don’t talk about it enough. 💔

This work attracts people with the biggest hearts. People who feel deeply. People who show up day after day for animals who’ve been neglected, abused, abandoned, or forgotten. And while that love is powerful, it also comes with a heavy cost.

You carry loss. You carry guilt. You carry the weight of decisions that never feel fair. You witness things most people never see—and then you’re expected to keep going like it doesn’t affect you.

Over time, that constant exposure can turn into anxiety, depression, burnout… and for many, addiction becomes a way to numb the pain. Not because you’re weak—but because you’re human.

There’s an unspoken pressure in this space to always be strong. To always sacrifice. To push through because “the animals need us.” And they do—but so do the people doing the work.

Struggling does not mean you’re failing this mission.
Needing help does not mean you love animals any less.
Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s survival.

If you’re in animal welfare and quietly hurting, I see you. You’re not alone. And you’re allowed to ask for support before you hit a breaking point.

We cannot save animals by breaking the people who care for them.
Compassion has to include ourselves, too.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, a few things that can help:
• Talk to someone you trust—don’t carry it alone
• Take breaks without guilt (rest is not quitting)
• Set boundaries around work and social media
• Seek professional help if anxiety, depression, or substance use feels unmanageable
• Stay connected to people outside of rescue who can help ground you
• Remember: you are allowed to step back to stay healthy

You matter. Your mental health matters. And this work needs you well, not worn down. ❤️

01/16/2026

We’re heading into the darkest days of winter - it’s important to self care, even if that’s just getting one thing done in a day.

DEPRESSION TIPS:
Shower. Not a bath, a shower.
Use water as hot or cold as you like. You don’t even need to wash. Just get in under the water and let it run over you for a while. Sit on the floor if you gotta.

Moisturize everything.
Use whatever lotion you like.
Unscented? Dollar store lotion? Fancy 48 hour lotion that makes you smell like a field of wildflowers? Use whatever you want, and use it all over your entire dermis.

Put on clean, comfortable clothes.
Put on your favorite underwear.
Those ridiculous boxers you bought last christmas with candy cane hearts on the butt? Put them on.

Drink cold water.
Use ice. If you want, add some mint or lemon for an extra boost.

Clean something.
Doesn’t have to be anything big. Organize one drawer of a desk. Wash five dirty dishes. Do a load of laundry. Scrub the bathroom sink.

Blast music.
Listen to something upbeat and dancey and loud, something that’s got lots of energy. Sing to it, dance to it, even if you suck at both.

Make food.
Don’t just grab a granola bar to munch. Take the time and make food. Even if it’s ramen. Add something special to it, like a soft boiled egg or some veggies. Prepare food, it tastes way better, and you’ll feel like you accomplished something.

Make something.
Write a short story or a poem, draw a picture, color a picture, fold origami, crochet or knit, sculpt something out of clay, anything artistic. Even if you don’t think you’re good at it. Create.

Go outside.
Take a walk. Bundle up if you have too. Listen to whatever birds winter where you are, watch the squirrels, admire whatever lights are in the trees. Go to the mailbox, send a letter, a bill, a card.

Call someone.
Call a loved one, a friend, a family member, call a chat service if you have no one else to call. Talk to a stranger on the street. Have a conversation and listen to someone’s voice. If you can’t bring yourself to call, text or email or whatever, just have some social interaction with another person. Even if you don’t say much, listen to them. It helps.

Cuddle your pets if you have them/can cuddle them.
Take pictures of them. Talk to them. Tell them how you feel, about your favorite movie, a new game coming out, anything.

May seem small or silly to some, but this list keeps people alive.

*** At your absolute best you won’t be good enough for the wrong people. But at your worst, you’ll still be worth it to the right ones. Remember that. Keep holding on.

*** In case nobody has told you today I love you and you are worth your weight and then some in gold, so be kind to yourself and most of all keep pushing on!!!!

Find something to be grateful for. ❤️

01/16/2026

We spend so much time comparing our outsides to other people’s highlight reels. Smiling. Showing up. Pushing through. And most people never see the battles behind the scenes—the nights you barely made it, the losses that changed you, the moments you had to choose to keep going when quitting felt easier.

So if you’re reading this and feeling unseen, unheard, or overlooked…
If you’re still standing after things that could’ve broken you…
If you’re carrying a story most people don’t know…

I see you.
I know how hard it can be to keep showing up with a smile.

And if you don’t hear it from anyone else today—
I’m proud of you. ❤️

01/15/2026

If you’re thinking about stopping drinking, start here

1. Get honest—with yourself first

You don’t need a dramatic rock bottom. A quiet “this isn’t working for me anymore” is enough. Write down why you’re considering stopping—sleep, anxiety, relationships, health, self-respect. That list matters on hard days.

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2. Talk to a professional before quitting (especially if you drink daily)

Stopping suddenly can be risky for some people. A doctor can:
• Assess withdrawal risk
• Help you taper safely if needed
• Offer meds that reduce cravings or anxiety

This is about safety, not labels.

⸻

3. Decide your first goal

You don’t have to decide “forever” today.
• Try 30 days
• Or “I won’t drink today”
• Or “I won’t drink during the week”

Small, clear goals build momentum.

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4. Change your environment

Early sobriety is fragile—protect it.
• Remove alcohol from your home
• Avoid bars or events that revolve around drinking (for now)
• Have an exit plan if you do go somewhere

This isn’t avoidance. It’s strategy.

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5. Replace the habit

Alcohol filled time, stress, boredom, or loneliness. Replace it on purpose:
• Sparkling water, NA beer, mocktails
• Walks, gym, podcasts, cleaning, cooking
• Early bedtime (seriously—sleep is medicine)

You’re not just removing something. You’re rebuilding.

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6. Expect emotions to show up

Alcohol numbs. When it’s gone, feelings return.
That’s normal—not failure.
• Anxiety, sadness, irritability, restlessness
• Cravings that come in waves (they do pass)

When it hits: pause, breathe, distract, reach out.

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7. Don’t do this alone

Connection is everything.
• Tell one safe person what you’re doing
• Consider support groups (AA, SMART Recovery, Refuge Recovery, online communities)
• Therapy can be a game-changer

Isolation feeds addiction. Community weakens it.

⸻

8. Be ruthless with self-compassion

If you slip:
• Don’t spiral
• Don’t quit quitting
• Learn → adjust → keep going

Progress isn’t linear. It’s persistent.

⸻

9. Focus on what you gain

People often notice:
• Better sleep within days
• Less anxiety within weeks
• Clearer thinking
• More presence
• Pride (quiet but powerful)

Sobriety doesn’t shrink your life—it gives it back.

⸻

10. Take it one day at a time

You only ever have to not drink today.
Tomorrow can wait.

⸻

If you want, I can:
• Help you write a personal “why”
• Build a 30-day plan
• Share craving-management tools
• Help you draft a message to friends/family
• Or just sit with you and talk it through

You’re not weak for wanting to stop.
You’re paying attention—and that’s strength. ❤️

01/11/2026

Alcohol was never just a drink for me.
It was a very lonely disease. 💔

It showed up quietly, convincing me I was fine while slowly pulling me further away from people, from honesty, from myself. I could be surrounded by friends, laughter, and noise—and still feel completely alone. That’s the part people don’t always see.

Alcohol told me I didn’t need help.
It told me to keep things to myself.
It thrived in isolation.

The loneliest moments of my life weren’t when I was physically alone—they were when I was hiding, pretending, and carrying everything by myself.

Recovery didn’t just mean putting the drink down.
It meant letting people in.
It meant learning how to be honest when it was uncomfortable.
It meant realizing I wasn’t weak for struggling—I was human.

If you’re reading this and feeling isolated in your own battle, please hear this: you are not alone, even if it feels that way right now. The disease wants you quiet and separated. Healing begins the moment you reach out.

Still here.
Still sober.
Still choosing connection over isolation.
❤️

If this resonates with you, I see you.

01/10/2026

Are You Struggling Today?

🌱 Start small (smaller than you think)
• Don’t aim for better. Aim for slightly less heavy.
• Shower. Drink water. Step outside for 60 seconds.
• One tiny action counts more than a perfect plan.

⸻

🧠 Talk to someone who feels safe
• You don’t need the right words. “I’m not okay” is enough.
• If opening up feels scary, try writing it down or sending a short text.
• You deserve support even if you can’t explain why you’re struggling.

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🐾 Care for something outside yourself
• Walk a dog. Pet an animal. Water a plant.
• Helping something vulnerable can gently remind you that you matter too.
• Purpose doesn’t have to be big—it just has to be real.

⸻

📵 Be mindful of what you’re consuming
• Endless scrolling, negative news, or comparison can quietly deepen the spiral.
• Take intentional breaks from social media or set time limits.
• Protect your mind the same way you’d protect a physical wound.

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🕰️ Give yourself permission to rest
• Rest is not quitting. Rest is refueling.
• You don’t have to “earn” rest by being productive.
• Healing takes energy—be gentle with yourself.

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🧩 Ask for professional help (and don’t shame yourself for it)
• Therapy, counseling, or medication aren’t failures—they’re tools.
• If one provider doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to try another.
• Mental health is healthcare.

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💛 Remember this (especially on the worst days)
• Struggling does not mean you’re weak.
• You are not broken—you’re human.
• The fact that you’re still here means something, even if you can’t feel it yet

01/10/2026

Here are clear, honest signs that alcohol might be becoming a problem—and that getting help could really matter. You don’t need all of these for it to be worth paying attention. Even a few can be enough.

⸻

🚩 Emotional & Mental Signs
• You drink to cope with stress, anxiety, loneliness, anger, or sadness
• Alcohol feels like a reward, relief, or escape you “need”
• You think about drinking more than you want to admit
• You feel guilt, shame, or regret after drinking
• You’ve promised yourself you’d cut back… and didn’t

⸻

🚩 Behavioral Signs
• You drink more or longer than you planned
• You hide or downplay how much you drink
• You drink alone or in secret
• You get defensive when someone mentions your drinking
• You’ve tried to stop or control it and couldn’t

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🚩 Physical Signs
• Needing more alcohol to feel the same effect
• Shakes, anxiety, nausea, or irritability when not drinking
• Poor sleep, low energy, frequent headaches
• Blackouts or memory gaps
• Drinking earlier in the day than you used to

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🚩 Life Impact Signs
• Alcohol is affecting relationships, work, finances, or health
• You’ve said or done things while drinking that don’t align with who you are
• You’ve missed important moments or responsibilities because of drinking
• You keep drinking despite clear negative consequences

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🚩 One Powerful Question to Ask Yourself

“Is alcohol taking more from my life than it’s giving?”

If the answer is maybe or sometimes, that’s worth listening to.

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Important Truth

Needing help doesn’t mean you’re weak.
It means you’re self-aware, brave, and ready for change.

You don’t have to hit rock bottom.
You don’t have to label yourself.
You don’t have to do it alone.

I’m here. 💙

01/08/2026

I live sober out loud—not because it’s easy, but because silence can feel isolating.

If you’re struggling, questioning, starting over, or just trying to make it through today… you’re not alone. Healing is possible. I’m proof of that, and so are so many others who are quietly fighting battles you can’t see.

If sharing my journey helps even one person feel a little less alone, then it’s worth it see being seen. 💙

If this resonates, please share it. You never know who needs to read these words today.

Twenty Percent

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