7 months sober

This is my journey (and apparently my now signature pose). The girl in FEB2015 still had a lot to learn. This was my first ever overnight backpacking trip with my best friend. I didn't know what having fun without alcohol meant. It was hard for me because we only packed in two beers each (IPAs of course for the higher alcohol content). I ended up drinking 1.5 of her two beers as well as she wasn't a heavy drinker like myself.

September 10, 2016 marks my sobriety date. For some reason, I woke up. I am thankful for all the events that brought me to that turning point in my life.

The person in OCT2016 had no idea what to expect to come in life. I was one month sober at that time. The first month was so incredibly hard. I was intensely battling the ability to have fun without alcohol (or to even be around it) but I began exploring the outdoors more. At the time, I thought I was only "resetting" my ability to have a few drinks and I wasn't sure if I was 100% in it. I walked often for my mental health and for the distraction during the evening when it was the time I would have normally been drinking.

The person in NOV2016 was finally seeing a change. I was seeing a change in my happiness and energy levels. Smiles and laughter began to seem more real (as did the tears on the bad days). I also saw the beginning changes in my body. This is the month I decided to commit more of myself to my health. I committed to eating better and walking (even if just a short walk) daily.

In JAN2017 a new person was emerging. I was still unsure of myself but all the normal social activities in which drinking was involved soon began to get a little easier. New "sober" situations/events in life began to trigger my inner self and new fires began to burn inside.

MAR2017 marked 6 months of sobriety. I couldn't believe who I was becoming. I couldn't believe the changes I was seeing in my body and especially that I was doing it all in a healthy way. No pills, no drinks, no quick fix crash diets, and especially no eating disorder emerging again but only 100% eating better, exercising and a commitment to both my mental and physical health. I have to thank my physical therapy facility (the doctors and staff) for all the positive energy and motivation to keep me going even when I felt like I mentally couldn't.

I see an ever growing and changing woman in APR2017. The month of April marked 7 months. It marked my first vacation (a beach vacation) sober. It was beyond challenging and my anxiety was sky high, but I did it. I learned so much about myself and am now able to take the new knowledge into the future. This month also marked the month I realized I was finally able to see a future. I finally realized I had hopes, dreams and goals. After getting detailed blood work and seeing an amazing nutritionist I began on the path to correct my nutritional deficiencies and was hopeful to correct some of my mental health issues as I have struggled my entire life. I'm finally began to look forward to what's next to come in life.

7.5 Months Sober

6 Months Sober