I say this frequently, but maybe someone new who needs to this will see this. Thank you for name dropping “This Naked Mind”, Ellie. That’s my greatest learning this year. 143 days sober today and so many more to come. Thank you!
Thank you for the guide Ellie and the wonderful testimony and writing! Congratulations on the five years and all you have have, are and will accomplish and all the ways you will help others!
This is beautiful. I can relate to so much you write here. I've just passed 10 years sober, and I have rarely had moments when I've wanted to be anything other than sober, but like you, it took a lot of work to get to the point where I was able to be this version of myself.
I also have a son who has no memory of me drunk. He was 4 when I stopped drinking, and is almost 15 now, he finds the idea of me being drunk quite bewildering, and I love it!
I love what you say about self compassion. It's so important, isn't it? On the yoga teacher training that was my unexpected route to recovery, one of our homework tasks was to pay close attention to our thoughts. I was horrified when I realised what I was telling myself on a daily, even hourly basis. I'd have never tolerated such malice and cruelty from anyone else, but I was doing it to myself all the time. Once I noticed, I was able to counter the negative thoughts with self compassion, and started to be able to finally forgive myself for so many things I'd been punishing myself for,
What a beautiful share, Ellie, and heart-sourced congrats on five years! I turn five this February and, while it feels like forever ago that I last drank, it also feels crazy that five years have passed. So much has changed; on a certain, essential level, I think it took quitting alcohol to finally grow up.
One of the biggest gifts and places of awe and gratitude for me is learning just how much we can "be in it" (whatever "it" is) without numbing or escaping. Not as a form of self-punishment, but because this path is ultimately easier and leads to less painful, more beautiful outcomes.
All the hearts to you, and thank you for your presence and work in the world!
Thank you Dana! Yes, it is a wondrous thing to be able to just be with our feelings - that they can’t harm us, and just need some space and compassion to be able to move.
This is such a beautiful honouring of five years without alcohol. I love what you say about R not seeing you under the influence of alcohol. My girls haven’t ever seen that side of me either and I had never thought about that until you shared that. I had a sip of Will’s red wine over Christmas to see what it tasted like… I haven’t taken a sip all year… and it was so unpleasant. It was a great reminder of how it doesn’t serve me at all and the longer I go without it the more I just have zero interest in it. Give me a mug of cacao any day… although even that I can’t drink too late in the day as my system is so sensitive! Celebrating you for this journey and love the work you are bringing to the world. Xxx
Thank you! ❤️ That’s so brilliant you’re so in tune with your body and how things affect you. And such a gift to always be here and present without the influence of substances xxx
I say this frequently, but maybe someone new who needs to this will see this. Thank you for name dropping “This Naked Mind”, Ellie. That’s my greatest learning this year. 143 days sober today and so many more to come. Thank you!
143 days Nate - amazing! Happy new year to you and wishing you so much love, peace and hope for 2025.
Thank you for the guide Ellie and the wonderful testimony and writing! Congratulations on the five years and all you have have, are and will accomplish and all the ways you will help others!
Ah thank you so much for your kind words Larry. Happy new year!
Happy New Year to you, Ellie!
This is beautiful. I can relate to so much you write here. I've just passed 10 years sober, and I have rarely had moments when I've wanted to be anything other than sober, but like you, it took a lot of work to get to the point where I was able to be this version of myself.
I also have a son who has no memory of me drunk. He was 4 when I stopped drinking, and is almost 15 now, he finds the idea of me being drunk quite bewildering, and I love it!
I love what you say about self compassion. It's so important, isn't it? On the yoga teacher training that was my unexpected route to recovery, one of our homework tasks was to pay close attention to our thoughts. I was horrified when I realised what I was telling myself on a daily, even hourly basis. I'd have never tolerated such malice and cruelty from anyone else, but I was doing it to myself all the time. Once I noticed, I was able to counter the negative thoughts with self compassion, and started to be able to finally forgive myself for so many things I'd been punishing myself for,
Huge congratulations on your 5 years!
What a beautiful share, Ellie, and heart-sourced congrats on five years! I turn five this February and, while it feels like forever ago that I last drank, it also feels crazy that five years have passed. So much has changed; on a certain, essential level, I think it took quitting alcohol to finally grow up.
One of the biggest gifts and places of awe and gratitude for me is learning just how much we can "be in it" (whatever "it" is) without numbing or escaping. Not as a form of self-punishment, but because this path is ultimately easier and leads to less painful, more beautiful outcomes.
All the hearts to you, and thank you for your presence and work in the world!
Thank you Dana! Yes, it is a wondrous thing to be able to just be with our feelings - that they can’t harm us, and just need some space and compassion to be able to move.
This is such a beautiful honouring of five years without alcohol. I love what you say about R not seeing you under the influence of alcohol. My girls haven’t ever seen that side of me either and I had never thought about that until you shared that. I had a sip of Will’s red wine over Christmas to see what it tasted like… I haven’t taken a sip all year… and it was so unpleasant. It was a great reminder of how it doesn’t serve me at all and the longer I go without it the more I just have zero interest in it. Give me a mug of cacao any day… although even that I can’t drink too late in the day as my system is so sensitive! Celebrating you for this journey and love the work you are bringing to the world. Xxx
Thank you! ❤️ That’s so brilliant you’re so in tune with your body and how things affect you. And such a gift to always be here and present without the influence of substances xxx