Celebrating One Year Alcohol-free!
- jennahermel
- Mar 13, 2024
- 2 min read
I have been looking forward to this day for so long now that I decided to buy myself a cake! Reaching this milestone is literally the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. So I decided to celebrate myself for myself! I was hoping that there would be music, confetti and balloons but I realized my family didn't get the memo lol. I have learned that sometimes it's ok to just take matters into my own hands and make my own party 🎉
Spending years and years trying and trying to get and stay sober was hard work. I kept seeing the people online holding signs showing how long they have been sober. I wanted to be one of those people! And now I am. I am sooooo excited to continue this journey and am already thinking ahead to how I will celebrate the two year mark!
But I want to make sure that you understand that although I look happy and excited in this picture, this wasn't the reality on the daily. It took perseverance, empathy for myself, lots of mindset work, community and much much more to get to where I am today-happy, joyful and loving my new lease on life. I told my husband (when he was laughing at me for singing happy soberversary to myself) that it's like I am a whole new person. Becoming alcohol-free has changed my life and it feels so freeing.
If you are reading this and you are struggling, just know that it does get easier. Some days will be better than others and you might feel like giving up but DON'T! Play the tape forward, remember your why and remind yourself that you are capable of anything.
I am rooting for you!
xo, Jenna
Jenna, I had no idea. You were such an amazing para for our son on the autism spectrum! You were so sweet and yes, seemed to have it all. I never grew up around alcohol at all, so it was never a thing in my life - until I dated an alcoholic some 35 years ago and couldn't believe how crazy my life felt in that environment. I joined al-anon to "fix" him, but of course, we all know that doesn't work. Thanks to the Al-anon, I walked away from that craziness. Kudos to you for knowing your worth and using your talents to help others! I hope to see you around this summer while I'm in the gardens. You…