I’m Seriously Sober (2025)

02/04/2025

April is Alcohol Awareness Month.

Please take a minute and consider your relationship with alcohol.

What are you drinking…wine, beer, liquor, seltzers, alcohol infused energy drinks…so many options today.

Why are you drinking….to relax, for the taste, to self- medicate, to ease the pain, to create a different version of yourself, to be social, etc

How often are you drinking….occasionally, on the weekends, at social events, daily, hourly…

For some, alcohol is an innocent aspect of life. For others, it can be a negative factor that creates so much havoc and harm.

So think about it…do you and alcohol have a healthy relationship? Is it a time for a change?

28/01/2025

* Freedom * Responsibility * Trust * Full nights of sleep * Healthy Relationships * Employment * Self Respect * Love * Home * Integrity * Belief in Myself * Family * Sobriety * Hangover Free Mornings * Rational Thinking * Health * Friends * Pride * Unconditional Love * Money * Serenity * Faith * Honesty * Motivation * Independence * Dignity * Transparency * Security * Confidence * Courage * Passion * Determination * Choices* My Life * Me *

17/01/2025

What are you waiting for to change your life?

Better job? Worse consequences? Better relationships? Legal issues? Worse withdrawal symptoms? Medical problems? Increased tolerance and daily consumption?

No time like the present.

Please don’t waste another minute stuck in the cycle of addiction. It only gets worse. Trust me, the longer you wait, the harder sobriety seems.

Start the journey to recovery with some action. Take your life back. You have the power. It all starts with you. Ask for help.

And that is your Friday motivation!

14/01/2025

Some days are just too much.

I often get caught up in the craziness of life.

This could be related to being a parent: doing the wash so the uniform is ready for the next game, teaching valuable life lessons, checking school assignments and homework, picking up from practice and running to next medical appointment, making a healthy dinner every night, etc.

This could be related to work: responding to emails, dealing with co-workers, attending every zoom and in person meeting, exceeding expectations, juggling eight tasks at once, actually doing my job, etc.

This could be related to recovery: attending meetings, going to therapy, calling supportive people in your life, doing step work, being of service, helping others, etc.

I often have to remind myself that I get to be overwhelmed by life today without having to manage my addiction as well. I’m grateful my life is a balance of all these roles I get to play without needing active alcoholic to be one of them.

I have to remember that I woke up today. And I did it sober. That’s my first blessing. My second one is that I get to be a productive person in society because I am no longer basing my life around my next drink.

I need to pause (Please Assist Until Serenity Enters) and remember to be grateful. Always be grateful for another day.

12/01/2025

Nine years ago I was getting discharged from my last treatment center. I was full of apprehension, fear, determination and anxiety. I had my next week planned out - daily AA meetings, get togethers with my sponsor, individual therapy, yoga and group therapy. One goal only - don’t drink and do the next right thing.

Fast forward to today and I’m on St John in the Caribbean with my family. I’m full of happiness, excitement, eagerness and gratitude. I have the day planned out - sleeping in, snorkeling, soaking up the sun and spending time with those I love. One goal only - don’t drink and do the next right thing.

As time passes, things change. And when I live a life in recovery, they usually change for the better. But one thing remains consistent. My sobriety comes first.

For me, it’s all about living life to the fullest, appreciating every moment and doing everything in my power to stay sober, one day at a time.

08/01/2025

My addiction almost killed me…more times than I’d like to admit.

My alcoholism ruined everything. No one trusted me. My physical health was in shambles. I hated myself. My relationships with others were strained. Legal issues began.

My life was dictated by my next drink. Alcohol continued to take so much from me as I downed bottle after bottle. I wanted it to be different. I just couldn’t stop.

Somehow, by the grace of God, I survived that which intended to kill me. My perseverance paid off. I kept getting back up each time I fell down. And in a moment of clarity in a drunken stupor, I was able to wave that white flag, ask for help and decide to fight like hell for my life.

Addiction is so cunning, baffling and powerful. Over the years, I have learned how to fight my disease and live in recovery. It’s a battle that I’ll never stop fighting because not only does my life depend on it, but I’m worth it.

I know that now.

04/01/2025

A life beyond your wildest dreams… 💙

I’d hear this over and over again in early recovery…don’t leave before the miracle happens because this type of life is promised to you if you choose a life in sobriety. I was skeptical and didn’t believe it was possible. I assumed I’d struggle with my alcoholism and be miserable for the rest of my life.

In active addiction, my only dream was to have an endless supply of Captain Morgan and for everyone to leave me alone and never find out about the extent of my drinking. It was a pathetic existence but one I was content with simply because it allowed me to numb out the pain, abuse and trauma. I was okay with isolating from the world as long as I had my alcohol.

Early recovery wasn’t easy. Triggers, expectations and the never ending feelings of shame and guilt would keep me stuck. But I never gave up. I continued to fight each day for my sobriety. I was determined to find this life beyond my wildest dreams that I always heard about.

It didn’t take long. By choosing to do the next right thing each and every day, things began to fall into place. I got a fabulous job. My relationship with my family started to improve. I became more confident not only in my recovery but in simply being me. I started to get months of sobriety and then years. I was free. I became happy, genuinely happy. It was something I had never felt before. It was like a dream come true.

And then completely unexpectedly came along Brian. This man you see here in this picture, he completed the dream of happily ever after, the life beyond my wildest dreams. 6 years ago today, we got married on cold January night (and yea, I wore flip flops because eh, why not). It has been an adventure filled with more laughs than I thought possible and more happiness than I thought I deserved.

No more being married to the bottle. No more drunken lonely nights. No more being stuck in the cycle of addiction.

Recovery…This is the life…A life beyond my wildest dreams 💛

(PS…Happy Anniversary Babe ❤️ Thanks for being you and loving me like you do!)

01/01/2025

New Year.

New Chances.

New Beginnings.

New Opportunities.

May 2025 be filled with health and happiness and hopefully sobriety and recovery.

25/12/2024

Whatever you are celebrating today, I hope you do it with lots of love and gratitude in your heart!

May your presence be the greatest gift of all!

XOXO ❤️

22/12/2024

It’s the season for giving gifts…

I’ve always struggled with gift giving. While I love shopping and picking out gifts for others, I get anxious. I worry that my gift won’t be enough or exactly what they wanted. I fear that they will be disappointed in the gift. I stress over all the details.

Over time, I’ve learned that this all stems from my issue with people pleasing and being consumed by the happiness of others. I now know that I could give my family anything and they’d be happy.

You know how I know this?

Because I have already given every single person in my family the greatest gift of all…

I have given them peace of mind. I have given them restful nights of sleep. I have given them times together filled with laughter and love. I have given them the gift of sobriety - something they all wanted for so long and because I chose recovery, they are gifted it day after day.

The gift of sobriety is priceless and so powerful. So this holiday season, find the strength to give your family a moment, a day, a week (or whatever you can manage) of calm and peace because you are not drinking.

I promise it will be the greatest gift they ever receive.

19/12/2024

I had no faith in myself when I was drinking.

I didn’t think I could stop. I knew I couldn’t stay stopped. I figured why keep trying to get sober when the outcome was always the same...back to the bottle.

But then treatment and the daily grind of recovery taught me that I was capable of sobriety and SO much more.

Being sober is my super power. If I can get sober and stay sober, I can overcome anything life throws at me, and trust me, I’ve been handed more than a few obstacles.

With a little faith, a lot of support and newfound confidence, I can do anything.

And I can’t wait to see what the world brings on next!

17/12/2024

It’s that time of year - when you’re excited to get into the holiday spirit…but then remember how stressful and painful the holidays can be when trying to stay sober.

It’s not easy - holidays can be very triggering for some and we need to be prepared so an impulsive bad choice doesn’t lead to a relapse. Here are a few strategies that I find helpful when approaching the holidays….

1. How important is it - assess each family gathering, work party, neighborhood get together. Is your presence absolutely required? Will alcohol be served and possibly trigger you? It is okay to prioritize your sobriety and not attend holiday events to ensure your sobriety is intact. People who want you sober and understand recovery will support any decision you make. And if someone gives you a hard time for choosing not to go - do you really want that kind of person in your life?

2. Have an exit plan - if you decide to attend a holiday event, have an exit strategy. Drive yourself so you can always leave and not have to rely on someone else for transportation. Arrive late and leave early. Say your hellos and be seen for a short time and then leave. You’re not required to stay for hours. Give yourself a time limit.

3. Designate your safe person - go to a holiday gathering with someone who knows you’re in recovery. Spend the night in their presence so you have a supportive person you can pull aside and talk to if necessary. Talk to this person ahead of time and make them aware that you may want to leave at any given moment. Choose someone that values your sobriety as much as you do.

4. Know your triggers - if you know certain people, houses, activities etc can be triggering for you, be prepared for their presence. Don’t be caught off guard. Plan your reaction if you become triggered so reaching for a drink isn’t your solution. Self awareness is key.

5. Keep your phone readily available - with a touch of a few buttons, you can be connected with someone who can talk you through difficult situations. Have a list of people you can contact for support in case you are stuck in an uncomfortable situation.

You do not have get through the holidays alone. There are people who love and support you and want to see you have a happy and sober holiday season. Reach out to others and let them help you.

We are stronger together, always.

I’m Seriously Sober