Climbing to New Heights

As much as I loved our first apartment with my husband that was on the 14th floor of an apartment building that overlooked the beautiful Assiniboine River and Manitoba Legislative grounds, I rarely went outside onto the balcony. It would freak me out when he sat on the balcony to watch storms roll in or … Continue reading Climbing to New Heights

My Relationship with Alcohol

I feel as if I am entering a new phase with my relationship with alcohol. In a sense, these past three (almost four) years have been about survival. The walls I put up had concertina wire surrounding the walls, protecting me and keeping the enemy out. You know the kind of wire I am talking … Continue reading My Relationship with Alcohol

Play me some soul soothing music

I found myself reacting to a casual conversation about cheap booze, a conversation I was not a part of but could overhear. I grabbed my headphones that are plugged into my computer and stabbed the keys on my keyboard. YOUTUBE...COUNTRY CHRISTIAN MUSIC...*PLAY* I don't align with any one religion although I am spiritual in my … Continue reading Play me some soul soothing music

The Power of Change

At times I have felt like I am not sure where I fit in. A common topic in peer-support sobriety articles is about relationships and how the dynamics are affected. This has sometimes left me feeling in limbo. I am protective of my personal space and how I spend my time. The path towards and … Continue reading The Power of Change

There is a bottle of vodka in my house (I think)

... and last week, I had cake that was made with Grand Marnier liqueur. Let's talk about the bottle of vodka first. I am not completely sure if it is still in my house or not. We had a large snow storm in January and the snow drifts on our street are quite intense due … Continue reading There is a bottle of vodka in my house (I think)

Painting Happy Little Trees

I have a creative spark that runs deep inside of me. Letting my imagination guide me has been part of my core since I grasped my first crayon. My childhood was full of many glitter bombs and I am sure that some of that glitter is still floating around today. Glitter never fully goes away … Continue reading Painting Happy Little Trees

Saying Yes to Loving Myself

I made the decision three years ago to stop drinking alcohol. Valentine's Day is my anniversary and I have gifted myself something each year. My gift this year is to create more opportunities that I can say yes to. Removing alcohol and making my mental health a top priority has created space for me to … Continue reading Saying Yes to Loving Myself

Standing in my own magnificence

I have done a lot of good work on my mental health over the last three years, which includes creating healthy boundaries. Prior to three years ago, I did not really recognize what boundaries were or how to establish them. I was a lot more impulsive back then and rode the waves of what came … Continue reading Standing in my own magnificence

Christmas and Sobriety

People in America are giving thanks and sharing what they are grateful for today. Black Friday is tomorrow and it will kick off the Christmas season. The season of parties, socializing, and booze. My first sober Christmas was stormy and fierce. I scheduled a check-in with my therapist to talk some of my thoughts out … Continue reading Christmas and Sobriety