10 Things That Sobriety Allows Me To Do
Sobriety is often marketed as a ticket to freedom, enlightenment, and a trail of skittles and rainbows—but let’s be real, it’s a bit more complex than that.
When I traded in my wild nights and chaos for a sober life, I wasn’t handed a golden key to the universe. Instead, I got to wrestle with my emotions, pay attention to life’s nuances, and actually show up for myself. Glamorous, right?
Still, sobriety has unlocked doors I didn’t even know existed—and thankfully, none of them lead back to my old ways.
So, in the spirit of keeping it real, here are 10 things sobriety has given me the chance to do.
SHOW UP
For myself, my kids, my friends, my family, and my responsibilities. When I was using, I was without a doubt the most unreliable person.
I failed to hold myself accountable, fulfill promises, or carry out any duties to those who matter most to me.
Getting sober has allowed me to show up as the best possible mom for my two girls. It has allowed me to uphold a certain level of self discipline and follow through with things that need to get done, such as, going to work. Sobriety has allowed me to become dependable and reliable.
Confidence
I’ve come to fully believe that how you feel on the inside directly reflects on how you carry yourself on the outside.
Cutting out drugs and alcohol allowed me to not sit in shame and disgust every single day due to things tied to my addiction. Getting sober might be difficult, but the more you push through, the better you feel about yourself.
Being sober is an accomplishment all on its own and it should make you feel proud of yourself. Sobriety allowed me to find my true potential, a love for self, and strength I never knew I possessed.
Manage Emotions
Getting sober does not mean that life will be without hardships (I know unfair). However, we don’t need to make shit harder than it already is.
Drinking/drugging can only promise to give you more problems on top of the ones you are currently using them to try to repair.
Getting clean truly allowed me to deescalate so much of my anger and anxiety. My ability to respond differently to certain situations was a direct result of giving up substances.
When I was using and feeling triggered, it was best you just get out of my way. I was unable to process my feelings, communicate rationally, or properly resolve any sort of conflict.
Sobriety has helped me carry a level head into certain situations and be part of the resolution instead of another part of the problem.
help others
If you told me that one day all the hell I went through would be used for a greater good, I would reassure you that you’re a fibber. There was a time that I was certain I was never going to be anything other than a junkie.
Being transparent about my struggles and the obstacles before, during, and after finding my way to a life in recovery has been such a healing and pivotal part of my story.
Getting sober gave me a willingness to share all that I have learned and gone through with others in hope of helping those who might need it. Using my story, progress, and failures has allowed me to make an impact and has only empowered me more when it comes to my own desire to continue on the road of sobriety.
Enjoy Moments/Things
My sobriety has allowed me to embrace so many special moments. I can’t tell you how many family photos I have looked back on during holidays and special occasions where I look terrible and can barely remember what took place.
Being sober allows me to crave time with my kids, family, and close friends. I have the desire to go and try new things and go places. I find joy in things I let leave my life while in active addiction, such as, reading and being artistic.
Build Meaningful Connections
Getting sober helped me weed out my relationships REAL fast. You come to learn who is truly in your corner, and those who really don’t mean you much good.
Recovery lead me to the NA community which allowed me to connect with so many great individuals who I consider to be true friends. I found my sponsor who has stuck by my side for the last almost 6 years now. Super grateful for her.
Sobriety allows you to show up for people and support them, while allowing yourself to have the same reciprocated.
With sobriety comes the ability to establish and maintain new boundaries that offer you the space for self-respect, positive support, and healthy bonds. I went my separate ways from a lot of individuals who contributed to my poor mental state and enabled my addictive behaviors. And, it was for the better.
Sobriety allows you to get reconnected with yourself and in return you learn what is good for you, and what isn’t so much. You learn the type of people you want in your life, and you make the decision to cut out those who don’t fit in with what your greater good entails.
Sobriety allows you to regain a sense of self-love and when someone disrupts that you learn to not settle. Romantic relationships are no longer built on co-dependency and validation.
Motivation To Succeed
When I was using, I had zero ambition. My days revolved around finding means to use, using, and recovering from using. This left me with no desire or drive to set any goals. Short-term or long-term.
I didn’t see a life for myself outside of one that consisted of using drugs or alcohol. It seemed unfathomable to me. My addiction had me persuaded that I would never or was incapable of accomplishing anything of true value in this world.
Getting sober gave me the confidence I needed to set future goals for myself. I gained the drive from watching myself overcome obstacles I thought I wouldn’t. I started to see that things WERE obtainable for me and that only drove me to want more and more for myself.
If you are sitting here right now reading this and filled with self-doubt, just know, there was a time that I was strung out homeless living under a bridge and waiting to die… You could never convince me that I was going to see my way out of that.
Yet, here I am.
So, whatever you are facing and feeling stuck in right now, know that life up head is so much brighter for you. Don’t rob yourself of the opportunity to go and get it. Nothing is ever too far out of your reach.
Relaxation
Like actual relaxation, the kind where my shoulders don’t live permanently by my ears and my brain isn’t running a highlight reel of cringe-worthy moments.
Sobriety taught me how to sit still without feeling like I’m crawling out of my skin. To enjoy quiet moments without needing a drink to "take the edge off." Turns out, relaxation is way more effective when it’s not accompanied by regret or a two-day hangover. Who’d have guessed?
I am now able to find peace in the moments that I used to consider boredom.
Working on myself and in my recovery has allowed me to take void moments and utilize them for my benefit. Whether that be reading a book or watching my favorite show. The quiet is necessary. Resetting and finding time for yourself without outside noise is necessary. When you are not used to it, it might take some adjusting. But, now it something I strongly value.
Clarity
Ah, mental clarity—something I didn’t realize how much I was missing until I got sober. Besides suffering from the occasional “mom brain” I can remember what I did yesterday.
When using my days were jumbled together. My thoughts scattered. I couldn’t keep my lies straight.
Now, decisions make sense, conversations don’t feel like navigating a minefield, and I can actually trust my own thoughts without wondering if they’re just chemically enhanced nonsense. I can remember what day of the week it is. I can remember what needs to get done tomorrow. I can remember my dad’s birthday.
It’s wild how much easier life gets when your mind isn’t playing hopscotch between chaos and confusion
Feeling Joy
One of the best perks of sobriety—right up there with remembering what I said yesterday—is rediscovering actual joy. Not the manufactured kind that comes from chasing highs or impulsive decisions, but the real-deal, heartwarming stuff that sneaks up on you when you least expect it.
Like, who knew I could find such happiness in something as simple as watching my kids laugh or sipping on my morning coffee. Sobriety has this magical way of making life’s little moments feel big again. For that I am so grateful.
Sobriety didn’t just change my life—it gave me one.
Sure, it’s a messy, unpredictable process, but it’s also full of moments that make me pause and think, “Wow, this is so worth it.” And that, my friends, is something worth sharing.
Sobriety isn’t just about quitting; it’s about discovering the little (and big) things that make this journey worth every step. So here’s the deal: if you’re on the road to recovery, I challenge you to share your wins in the comments—the moments that make you grateful you stuck with it. Maybe it’s finally enjoying a sunrise without a pounding headache, laughing until your stomach hurts, or just waking up proud of yourself. Whatever it is, put it out there! Your story might be exactly what someone else needs to hear to keep going. Because let’s face it, sobriety is better when we celebrate it together. So, what makes your journey worth it? Share it—someone out there needs that spark.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your recovery journey, I’d love to walk alongside you. Whether you’re looking for guidance, tools, or just someone who truly gets it, I’m here to help you navigate the ups and downs and create a path that works for you.
Let’s chat—schedule a free call with me, and we’ll talk about where you’re at, where you want to go, and how we can set you up for success. You’ve got this, and I’d be honored to be a part of your journey.
