This week I turned four years sober. It passed gently, inconsequentially and I almost forgot to acknowledge it.
That’s how far things have come. Gone are the days of the minute by minute crawl towards bedtime, when I wanted to feel the sweet relief of the pillow, a sense of release and pride that I’d dragged myself through another day. Now sobriety is a gift I treasure, a part of life that feels as natural and precious as breathing, requiring a similarly unconscious effort.
I had some difficult times last year, but have emerged with a level of strength and dignity I’ve never before experienced. It feels exquisite and surprising. I have undertaken some work in the world that I could not have done without my experience of the lows of alcoholism, the structure of the 12 Step programme and the spiritual enquiry that it led me to.
Never when I was in the depths of the addiction could I have imagined how beautiful life could be without alcohol. All I craved every day was to feel better. An end to the cycle. Now I am experiencing levels of calm and bliss ‘beyond my wildest dreams’
Sobriety is worth every relapse, every struggle, every breakdown.
The power of this online community and the 12 step programmes have given me everything. Thank you to you all.
Happy Anniversary. Your post brings joy to my heart. A life well lived and people well loved is what it’s all about. Thank you for sharing with us. Much love.
Thank you Lisa. The one who taught me so much, yet we’ve never met. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me in this journey x
What a wonderful way to begin my morning stroll through the Reader! God’s Best to you on your healing journey, Dear One. Definitely need to share!
Thank you so much Greg x x
Thank you for that wonderful share. I have 100+ days and I am still feeling that ‘pink cloud’…not as much , but still there! You were my first reading about my sobriety today and it was just what I needed to read. Thanks.
I’m so glad Gordon. Persevere- there were so many moments when I almost didn’t and I am so unbelievably glad I kept on the sober path 🙂
Congratulations.
I agree wholeheartedly!
Life is beautiful.
Anne
Always lovely to connect again wonderful Anne 🙂 Thank yoh
Congratulations with your 4 years of sobriety. That is awesome! I am happy for you.
xx, Feeling
Thank you so much x
Huge congrats lovely!! You are so right in that it just keeps on getting better and better 🙂 xx
Thank you Lou, you sober beacon of wonder!
Congratulations on your 4 years! My journey is about a week or so behind yours so it’s comforting to know we’re still on it . SoberP x
Ahhhh congrats on your upcoming anniversary!
HUGE CONGRATULATIONS, 4 Years!!!!
Where has the time gone? I’m so happy to be reading this and your positivity and contentment just radiates throughout the post.
You are such a fabulous inspiration, documenting the highs and lows all the way and championing the many successful paths to worthwhile, authentic recovery.
I’m so pleased to know you xx
And I’m so pleased you scooped me up, sat with me in the lowest moments and showed me it was possible. Thank you Carrie x x x
Congratulations on Four Years!! Such a lovely post and share.
Thank you- your journey helped me so so much at the beginning x x x
Congratulations that is amazing!!!
Ooh just seen this! Much love and congratulations on four years of clarity and growth (often hard won, I know!) Would be lovely to catch up with you in 2018! Xxx
Thank you dearest Prim, one of my dearest sober pals! I’d love to catch up too, how time flies since that time at the museum where I was still wee-chick sober x
Now you are a grizzled old sober eagle 🦅 😘 xxx
Hahahahaha, indeed
Congratulations on your continued succes. I am approaching month five, and I owe much of my success to your honest depiction of the struggles that occur on such a journey.
Thank you seems inadequate but it is all that I can offer.
Thank you!
Jim
What a wonderful comment to receive Jim. Thank you. I had the same experience with other blogs and I’m so glad I have been able to contribute in any way, however small x x x x
Congratulations. Good to see you post again.
This is amazing and you are, too. ♡