Your New Life Can Start Now
"When I got sober, I thought giving up (alcohol) was saying goodbye to all the fun and all the sparkle, and it turned out to be just the opposite. That’s when the sparkle started for me." -Mary Karr
This quote is by an American poet who became sober and struggled with finding ways to keep occupied. That is not an impossible assignment since the beauty of life can be rediscovered in newfound sobriety.
Finding and re-experiencing the activities you used to love before you lost yourself is easier than you would think. Many, like myself, struggled with the idea of sobriety, yet here I sit almost on the cusp of the one-year anniversary of my sobriety. I have re-learned the joy of laughing again which was especially beneficial to me since I love to laugh and feel it helps to cleanse my soul.
In sobriety, goals become more easily accomplished and each time you overcome a hurdle to reaching it, you will make a breakthrough, and find a solution. Not like when you are an addict and every problem to overcome to reach a goal is solved by creating another problem.
Each sober day, although sometimes hard, gets better. Yes, there will be rough days, but using and chasing a high is far harder in the long run as well as mentally draining.
Some addicts say using is fun, and it is impossible to enjoy anything without being intoxicated. Yet, how many addicts do you know who regret their actions once they have sobered up? Also, how much of what has happened does the person remember from when they were under the influence? Not a lot.
Memories of birthdays, family gatherings, holidays, or even football games at your alma mater are meant to be created and enjoyed not experienced in a drunken or drug-induced haze and then lost in a fog. Sure, maybe the stories get embellished and sound great, but is going through all the pain and anguish of alcoholism or addiction worth a few hazed tales you can barely remember?
Possibilities are endless with newfound sobriety. Your life, choices, hobbies, and passions are all up to you. If you did have a hobby, one you loved and were passionate about, pick it back up and re-experience it again. You will find that alcoholism or addiction did not enhance the fun, they eliminated it.
Life will be what you intend it to be. Your new life can start now.
