Dear Newcomer, I know how heavy it all feels right now. Maybe you’re full of shame, or fear, or anger you don’t quite understand. Maybe you’ve burned bridges you’re not sure can be rebuilt. Maybe you’re just tired, so very tired, and you don’t know how to live without the thing that nearly destroyed you. … Continue reading An Open Letter to the Newcomer
I heard this line on an episode of Ted Lasso recently: “The truth will set you free, but first it will piss you off.” At first, I laughed because it’s funny. Then I realized how true it is, especially about recovery. When I first got sober, the truth was not some gentle, comforting friend. It … Continue reading The Truth Will Set You Free… But First, It Might Piss You Off
(Part of the “Tools That Keep Me Free” series.) Not long ago, I was talking with one of my drug court girls about celebrating clean time. She said she didn't know her sobriety date, and then, "It's not that big of a deal. Why do people make such a fuss about sober birthdays?" I smiled … Continue reading Tools That Keep Me Free: Celebrating Milestones
Sobriety has given me more than I ever thought possible. It gave me my life back, but more than that, it gave me a new, better life—one with depth, meaning, and connection. It's also given me space to grow, to fall down, to get back up, and to learn a few things the hard way. … Continue reading 10 Things I Know for Sure in Recovery
(Part of the “Tools That Keep Me Free” series.) There's something about putting pen to paper that helps me let go. I've been journaling since the first time I went to rehab, and it's still one of the tools I reach for when I feel overwhelmed, scattered, or emotionally heavy. There's just something powerful about … Continue reading Tools That Keep Me Free: Writing Things Down and Letting Go
Recovery isn't just about staying sober—it's about learning how to live free. Over the years, I’ve collected tools that help me stay grounded, honest, and connected, especially when old patterns or painful memories try to pull me back. This series is about sharing those tools, not as rules, but as real-life help for anyone walking … Continue reading Tools That Keep Me Free: Reaching Out When I Want to Shut Down
Recovery isn't just about staying sober—it's about learning how to live free. Over the years, I’ve collected tools that help me stay grounded, honest, and connected, especially when old patterns or painful memories try to pull me back. This series is about sharing those tools, not as rules, but as real-life help for anyone walking … Continue reading Tools That Keep Me Free: Speaking Truth to Shame
Anxiety has been part of my story for as long as I can remember. Long before I ever picked up a drink, I lived with worry, racing thoughts, and fear that made even simple things feel overwhelming. Alcohol, in many ways, became my escape. It dulled the sharp edges of my anxiety—at least temporarily. That’s … Continue reading Managing Anxiety in Addiction Recovery
I saw a quote on Facebook that I instantly loved: "Grace has the power to turn afflictions into mercies." — Jeremiah Burroughs Those of us in recovery know what it means to live through affliction. Addiction wasn't just a hard season. It was a series of spiritual, emotional, and physical crises that left wreckage behind. … Continue reading Seen & Heard: Grace Turns Afflictions into Mercies
Initially, recovery practices were my lifeline. Every meeting, every phone call, every tear-stained journal entry felt urgent and necessary—because it was. I held tight to the tools, the prayers, the steps, and the fellowship like my life depended on it—because it did. But what happens when the chaos quiets? When life gets calm, and sobriety … Continue reading Staying Spiritually Fit When Recovery Gets Routine
Sober Grace 