So many powerful, empowering revelations in this share, Josh. I love the phrase "uninterrupted momentum." It resonates with my experience of creativity, work, life, and even spiritual practice in sobriety. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Thank you Dana! I'm grateful to you for providing this outlet for me and others to share. It's easy to say I have the perfect hunger to keep showing up day in a day out, sobriety is something I never would have thought provided this gift. Wishing you a beautiful week!
Thanks Josh. Your reflection about drinking as a “reward” for hard work was spot on. I remember stopping off for wine on my way home from a difficult day of work, often drinking on the drive home. The thought of the next drink got me through the day. I’m so glad sobriety has taught me how to truly relax after putting in a solid day, even in retirement! I’m writing about my life and times in Substack and after closing my computer for the day, I can feel the satisfaction of another couple of thousand words being tucked away without the “need” for alcohol or any other substance—-food,etc— as a “reward.” It is nice to be tired at the end of the day, knowing that a good night’s sleep awaits. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your response Kathi, and congratulations on your sobriety. Yeah, I would have many nights at 2 or 3a driving less than a mile away to pick up fast food. That was after 8 or 9 beers deep too. Wishing you lots of more good night’s sleep ahead!
Solid read. I like how you refer to taking off the mask and I like this quote., “alcohol borrowed tomorrow’s energy to fuel tonight’s temporary escape.” Sobriety truly is the bedrock foundation of exceptional well-being.
Thanks, Josh! So great. I studied creative writing in college and then didn’t write for fifteen years. I didn’t have the creative energy. I was also stuffing it all down with booze. When I stopped drinking, the flood gates opened. I had SO much to say and the words just flowed out of me. So many feelings that needed to be expressed. It was incredible. And it totally surprised me.
Thanks for sharing this, Josh. So often we see a constructed link between Artists and inebriation; peak creativity can’t be achieved sober (or so we would be made to believe).
Hey Sean! Thank you for your comment. I understand how it may let the guards down which then let's you express yourself fully, but I do believe when the guard can come down naturally, then the creative expression comes from a much more powerful place.
I loved reading your story, Josh, and could identify with so much. I have a morning routine that includes a meditation practice that helps me be present and live creatively - and you remind me what a trade up that is from an evening routine numbing and escaping with alcohol!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing Maria. It means a lot. Congratulations on your sobriety and practices! The awareness to see life is a gift seems to shine more brightly now.
My pleasure Liette, thank you for reading and providing your response. Yeah, when you're "in it" it doesn't seem as though there is an alternative. You remove yourself and stay removed, how incredible the transition truly becomes. What is your creative outlet if you don't mind me asking?
So many powerful, empowering revelations in this share, Josh. I love the phrase "uninterrupted momentum." It resonates with my experience of creativity, work, life, and even spiritual practice in sobriety. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.
Thank you Dana! I'm grateful to you for providing this outlet for me and others to share. It's easy to say I have the perfect hunger to keep showing up day in a day out, sobriety is something I never would have thought provided this gift. Wishing you a beautiful week!
Your clear powerful thoughts and energy put into words and motivation~ keeping all of us moving in the right direction ~ Many thanks ~
Thank you so much Peter!
Thanks Josh. Your reflection about drinking as a “reward” for hard work was spot on. I remember stopping off for wine on my way home from a difficult day of work, often drinking on the drive home. The thought of the next drink got me through the day. I’m so glad sobriety has taught me how to truly relax after putting in a solid day, even in retirement! I’m writing about my life and times in Substack and after closing my computer for the day, I can feel the satisfaction of another couple of thousand words being tucked away without the “need” for alcohol or any other substance—-food,etc— as a “reward.” It is nice to be tired at the end of the day, knowing that a good night’s sleep awaits. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much for your response Kathi, and congratulations on your sobriety. Yeah, I would have many nights at 2 or 3a driving less than a mile away to pick up fast food. That was after 8 or 9 beers deep too. Wishing you lots of more good night’s sleep ahead!
Solid read. I like how you refer to taking off the mask and I like this quote., “alcohol borrowed tomorrow’s energy to fuel tonight’s temporary escape.” Sobriety truly is the bedrock foundation of exceptional well-being.
Thank you Patrick! I agree with you completely. So true.
Beautiful piece. Absolutely loved this line: “The next morning always told the truth.”
I love that line. So true.
Thank you Em! 🙏🏻 It was definitely hard to accept the truth for a long time.
Thanks, Josh! So great. I studied creative writing in college and then didn’t write for fifteen years. I didn’t have the creative energy. I was also stuffing it all down with booze. When I stopped drinking, the flood gates opened. I had SO much to say and the words just flowed out of me. So many feelings that needed to be expressed. It was incredible. And it totally surprised me.
Thank you Kimberly! Your essay who I don’t want to be…🤌 I do feel the flood gates are opening and it’s a beautiful feeling.
Thank you! 🙏🏻
Creativity isn't forced it needs room to breathe..So true. Ty for sharing.
Ty Liz! :) Oooo I love have an attitude of gratitude. That's so good. 👏🏻
Thanks for sharing this, Josh. So often we see a constructed link between Artists and inebriation; peak creativity can’t be achieved sober (or so we would be made to believe).
So many nuggets of wisdom!
Hey Sean! Thank you for your comment. I understand how it may let the guards down which then let's you express yourself fully, but I do believe when the guard can come down naturally, then the creative expression comes from a much more powerful place.
That’s a great take mate. Thanks for reading, too! : )
I loved reading your story, Josh, and could identify with so much. I have a morning routine that includes a meditation practice that helps me be present and live creatively - and you remind me what a trade up that is from an evening routine numbing and escaping with alcohol!
Thank you so much for reading and sharing Maria. It means a lot. Congratulations on your sobriety and practices! The awareness to see life is a gift seems to shine more brightly now.
Really love this line: uninterrupted momentum. That's very true for me too. Great post and congratulations on living an authentic sober life!
Thank you Samantha for reading and sharing your thoughts! Such a great life this is! :)
You might like this essay on the true history of drugs:
https://open.substack.com/pub/soberchristiangentlemanpodcast/p/essay-the-true-history-of-drugs-a?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android&r=31s3eo
My pleasure Liette, thank you for reading and providing your response. Yeah, when you're "in it" it doesn't seem as though there is an alternative. You remove yourself and stay removed, how incredible the transition truly becomes. What is your creative outlet if you don't mind me asking?