In the movie Talladega nights, there's a scene where Will Ferrell is being interviewed and his hands keep rising up into view. He says, “I’m not sure what to do with my hands.” Having spent most of my life with a wine glass in one hand and a cigarette in the other, I didn't know what to do with my hands when I stopped drinking. I watched what other people who weren't drinking did with their hands. Isn’t that fascinating?! I practiced holding my hands by my sides no matter how icky and uncomfortable it felt. I practiced talking with my hands. Eight years later and my hands are a comfortable part of my body now.

With Thanksgiving upon us, I have been reflecting over my years of holiday drinking. It’s easy to romance the drink when I reflect on these happy times. I have to play the tape forward though to remember the life-threatening ending to my drinking career.

I often say about my drinking behavior that I was having a party, and I was the only one comin’. Alcohol intensified my feelings of happiness and fun. I didn’t notice that nobody else was drinking like me.

This year I’m grateful for the fun I’m going to have

cuddling my new great niece Paisley

sharing my Moroccan soup and strawberry banana bread with family

This year, I’m especially grateful for the rare gift of being surrounded by loved ones all at once—a blessing I didn’t fully appreciate until my disability made those moments harder to come by.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube. Visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

#SoberHolidays #LivingSober #GratefulHeart #HolidaySobriety #SoberLiving #FunWithoutAlcohol #ProfessionalPartier #ThanksgivingGratitude #RecoveryJourney #FindingJoySober #soberfun