I’m Seriously Sober (2026)

30/12/2025

As we approach another year, we hear a lot about resolutions - promises of change that will last all year long. But let’s stop right there.

It seems too overwhelming to agree to massive changes for that extensive period of time.

If recovery teaches us nothing else, it helps us focus on small changes one day at a time. We identify unhealthy choices and each day we wake trying to better ourselves. Then we try again the next day. And the next day.

Please do not get distracted by resolutions that most likely will not last.

Change it up this year. Focus on realistic changes. Think about simplifying life, one change, one day at a time. You can do this. If you get get through a day without drinking, you can do anything. You got this.

Make 2024 the best yet!

#2025

25/12/2025

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 ❤️

24/12/2025

Sober holidays?

You can totally do this.

Stay focused.

Have supportive people around.

Create a plan.

Know your triggers.

Prioritize your sobriety (and you).

Believe in yourself.

I do.

21/12/2025

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.

14/12/2025

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.

10/12/2025

I vaguely remember sitting on my bed, holding the phone, debating whether to make the call.

I had two choices. Stay stuck in active addiction and live the rest of my life drunk and miserable. Or I could finally surrender and fight like hell to save myself.

I am beyond thankful that even in the middle of a drunken stupor I had the realization that maybe, just maybe I was worth it.

So here’s to 10 years of hard work, effort, growth, uncomfortability, vulnerability and change. I had to find a way to work through the difficult, talk about the hard and create the new. Wasn’t easy, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Life in sobriety is just too damn good.

So here’s to the unconditional love and support of my family, especially my parents who never gave up on me. Your faith and belief in me kept me going, even when I wasn’t sure I really wanted to at times. I’m forever grateful for you both.

So here’s to my son, the not so little boy of mine, who was my motivation back then and continues to be my why - you deserve a sober mom and I’d do anything for you. Keep shooting for the stars…or at least some 3s!

So here’s to my husband, my rock who has helped create my happily ever after in recovery. Thank you for loving me for me and helping me create this beautiful life I live!

So here’s to all of you - you help keep me sober day after day. You inspire me and remind me that I’m not alone in this struggle. We can stay sober and get through anything when we have each other. I’m so very grateful we do this journey of life together.

10 years. I’m still in awe.

07/12/2025

Reflecting back on my old life and comparing it to my new life tends to happen alot this time of year for me. The combination of my sober anniversary and the holidays always gets me thinking because so much has changed over the years.

Here are words to describe a typical December in my active addiction:

Shopping. Baking. Drinking. Lying. Wrapping. Manipulating. Socializing. Justifying. Feeling obligated to attend every party and activity but instead isolating with a bottle. Blacking out. Faking perfection. Celebrating. Making excuses. Pretending.

Here are words to describe a typical December in my recovery:

Shopping. Setting boundaries. Socializing but having an exit plan. Baking. Saying no. Being honest with myself and others. Coffee. Wrapping. Enjoying the lights. Being present. Loving on family. Avoiding negativity. Doing the next right thing. Celebrating life.

The one constant thing in my life has been change. I needed to change everything in early recovery in order to maintain my sobriety. As the years go by and my recovery strengthens, I continue to make changes to ensure my sobriety comes first. People and things come and go. Attitudes and perspectives shift. Priorities change.

December can be a tricky time for people, especially those of us who are in recovery. For me, my sobriety has to come first. I will adjust life and make changes as need be in order to avoid that first drink. I can’t regret the changes, my recovery and my life literally depend on it.

04/12/2025

Growing up I loved December - it was a magical month filled with festive activities, lots of family time and the spirit of the holidays.

I have fond memories of wrapping presents with Nana, driving around town looking at Christmas lights with my parents, making Christmas cookies with my aunt and spending hours circling things in the Sears catalog and later the J Crew catalog.

Then adulthood hit. My grandfather passed away on Christmas morning in 2002. My 3rd miscarriage happened on December 23rd of 2010. I had surgery and was in the hospital right as the holidays began that year. I left for two different treatment centers in December of 2014 and 2015. My hatred for December began to grow.

A few years ago I decided that things needed to change in December. No more harping on the negative, no more sadness, no more sulking in my own pity party.

This year, it’s all about focusing on the good. I adopted a child in need and shopped for their desired presents. I continue to help others on their road to recovery. The house is all decorated and presents have begun to get wrapped. I will return to my last treatment center later this month to celebrate yet another year sober. I have a concert with my husband to look forward to next week. Varsity basketball season for my son is underway. And my favorite, multiple family and friend gatherings to celebrate the holidays. This December is going to be great!

Just like when I took back my life when I got sober, I’m taking back my love for December. Life is too short for negativity. It’s time to believe in the magic of the holidays again and cherish each and every day this December.

30/11/2025

When I started my journey of recovery, I didn’t know anyone like me.

No one I knew was an addict or alcoholic. I didn’t have anyone to look up to and no one to talk to about my struggles. I felt like the outcast because my friends and family didn’t really understand me.

But I did the hard thing and I put myself out there. I went to meetings and got into (well was forced into) treatment where I learned that there are tons of people out there JUST LIKE ME!

Who knew?!?!

When I began letting others in who recognized my story within their own and shared my pain, my recovery started to get a bit easier. I relied on others because I didn’t trust my thinking or my judgement. These beautiful souls helped me get through the tough days and supported me when I didn’t know how to get through the day (or hour) without a drink.

So today, all these years later, it’s my turn. It’s my honor to help the next suffering soul get another day sober.

I recover out loud, sometimes really really loudly, because why not? If it helps one person, then my job is done. No shame here.

You are never alone and remember, we are stronger together, always.

27/11/2025

I never saw this beautiful life in recovery as an option for me while in active addiction.

So grateful that I surrendered and asked for help. So thankful my family was there for me when I needed them most.

Beyond blessed to have the ability to attend a treatment center who addressed me as an individual and helped me work through all my underlying issues. The foundation of my recovery was built with the support of professionals and other alcoholics just like me.

Lucky to share my second half of life with friends and family who love me and accept me and respect my sobriety.

I love Thanksgiving and the ability to reflect back on my journey and savor the fact that I made it to the other side.

Grateful + Blessed. Without a doubt.

Happpppy Thanksgiving to each and everyone of you. Thank you for being along for the ride and helping to keep me sober today 💛

23/11/2025

Here is younger innocent me - living the good life and having the world at my fingertips. I was fearless and adventurous. I knew I could do anything and become anything I set my mind to. I can guarantee you that being an alcoholic and dealing with addiction was not on my agenda at any age.

I had DARE classes in elementary school warning me about drugs and alcohol. My parents talked to me about the dangers of alcohol when I was a teenager. I even took a college class about alcohol and it’s impact on society. But it wasn’t until I was in rehab that I was taught about the disease of addiction. Genetics. Progression. Brain chemistry. Triggers. Coping skills. Trauma. Nature vs Nurture. Adverse Childhood Experiences. The list goes on and on.

In years past, no one wanted to talk about addiction. The stigma and negative connotation related to the terms addict and alcoholic made people avoid the topic. But here we are in 2025 and addiction is everywhere. Everyone knows someone who is either struggling with drugs or alcohol or in recovery from addiction. We cannot hide from it because it’s slowly killing millions of people every year.

So please, take the time to talk to your kids about addiction. I don’t mean the generic, drugs are bad, too much alcohol is a problem, don’t drink and drive type of speech. I mean really talk about it. Discuss your family history. Use examples of people you know - family, friends, people in the public eye who have struggled. Talk about the consequences of addiction. Lives can be saved and families can avoid the struggle if we open lines of communication. Educating our kids is the only place to start. They are our future and we need to plant the seed and expand their knowledge about addiction. Maybe, just maybe it’ll prevent a child from the pain and agony that is addiction.

19/11/2025

Active addiction was exhausting. I was constantly manipulating the day to ensure my next drink. I spent my days covering my tracks and making sure my big secret about my drinking wasn’t revealed. It was a balancing act and for awhile I was a pro - complete functional alcoholic. And then….I wasn’t. My life turned chaotic and messy and I was a disaster.

Sobriety is the complete opposite. My days are filled with helping others and being of service. My life is based in honesty and doing the next right thing. I try to keep it simple and always find the gratitude in every day. While some days are more difficult than others, I pride myself in knowing that it can never be worse than a day in my old life.

Exchanging the chaos and insanity for the simplicity and serenity is priceless. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m Seriously Sober