Try having a sober holiday — I doubt you'll have any remorse.
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
I'm waking and opening my eyes early on the day following Thanksgiving. No headache, regrets, or remorse from our Thanksgiving celebration. I'm delighted and grateful — rejoicing in my sobriety.
Even though our holiday was just my husband and me, it could have been an alcohol-filled one, as it was often in years prior.
You would find me stuffing the turkey while swilling champagne even though it wasn't even noon. Hey, it's Thanksgiving! — was my reasoning. My husband would imbibe right along with me, my partner in crime.
We would've polished off a couple of bottles by the time we were ready to enjoy the turkey and the side dishes we'd prepared. We'd thought that was fun.
Too many years I awoke on Black Friday with regret and dread, admonishing myself for overindulging on turkey day. I had no intention to get that tipsy. Apparently, someone filled my glass when I wasn't looking. (Insert eye-rolling here).
2021 marks my fourth Thanksgiving as a proud sober woman.
If I was able to quit drinking — you certainly can, too. Why am I so confident? The answer is — I drank alcohol for over 50 years. Mind-boggling, I know.
Both my parents were alcoholics. I have a sibling who also is addicted — however happily sober for 15 years. There are other family members, I suspect, also dependent on this intoxicant.
This year at noon, I filled my crystal goblet with sparkling apple juice diluted with club soda. This cocktail is usually served to the children, but now it was a welcome treat for me.
I stuffed that bird with a feeling of relief and gratitude because I had zero desire for alcohol.
My husband continues to enjoy cocktails and wine. I'm no longer bothered by this. And I'm relieved that it's not an enticement.
I am responsible only for myself and am thrilled to be taking such good care of this one body and soul I have.
Sobriety is not a limitation. It’s a superpower. — Brene’ Brown, U.S. writer and professor.
Many of you can savor having a glass of wine or a cocktail and have no interest in a second one. Or you could have a second one and not finish it. Remarkable to me.
There were times I'd wished I had that ability — to take it or leave it. Unfortunately, I'm one of those who doesn't possess an "off switch" when alcohol is involved.
For many years I was lost in the undertow of alcohol. Its pull is powerful and relentless. Or perhaps I was weak?
After a few years into retirement, I knew something had to change as the cocktail hour began earlier and earlier. And my life was getting smaller and smaller.
It took two years of reading various books on quitting the addiction to alcohol before I finally committed to free myself. Cocktails and wine — once a pleasure had become a millstone that was crushing the life out of me.
The freedom and joy I now experience daily are glorious feelings I would not exchange for the finest glass of wine or the most delicious cocktail.
My life has become more expansive — it's productive and filled with creative projects and achievable dreams. I possess a joy and sense of freedom I did not expect to receive by quitting drinking.
If you suspect that your drinking habit is taking more from you than you're getting, the time may be now to take a deep and honest look at your life and what you want to attain.
I assure you — you'll be exceedingly grateful and delighted that you did.
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