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

How often do you hear yourself saying these phrases:

I'm gonna…

I will try…

I want to…

I have to…

I need to…

These phrases are excuses to not DO today. Try saying “I will…” And see how this small change feels. It helps to not future-trip, and instead be a daily planner. It's 24 hour living.

Do today what you will be proud of tomorrow.

I spent way too long regretting the day before. I lived in the future and regretted the past.

In my career, I was always chasing the next title. When I had to stop drinking, I thought I’d never have fun again. When I was forced to medically retire, I feared I’d never amount to anything. But I was wrong. Sobriety and retirement didn’t mean losing myself—they meant finding myself. These changes gave me the opportunity to truly enjoy being me. Without the distractions, I’ve finally come to know—and be grateful for—who I am.

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

#LivingInThePresent #24HourLiving #DoItNow #FindingYourself #DailyPlanning #SobrietyJourney #SelfDiscovery #GratitudeInRecovery #NoMoreExcuses #EmbraceChange

In high school, I didn’t fit into any clique. I felt ‘less than’ because I had no Guess jeans, no homecoming court, no dreamy prom date, no cool car. I felt most like myself when I was alone in my room crying and listening to sappy music. Then, I met alcohol— my “true love,” and I built my life around it, year after year.

At first, I surrounded myself with others who drank like me, but over time, I drank more than everyone else—but it didn’t matter anymore. If everyone passed out, I’d stay up and finish what was left. I didn’t need anyone to drink. I lost myself, replacing self-love with ridiculously hurtful relationships, thinking someone else’s affection could make me happy.

When I finally stopped drinking, I thought I’d lose myself entirely and never have fun again. But instead, I discovered something incredible: the real me. I actually love being me. Sobriety became the path back to the person I always wanted to be.

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

#SelfLoveJourney #SobrietyIsFreedom #RecoveryStory #FindingMyself #HealingThroughSobriety #LoveYourselfFirst #OvercomingAddiction #EmbracingAuthenticity #PathToSelfDiscovery #MentalHealthAwareness