Embracing Resilience: A Birthday Reflection on Living an Alcohol-Free Life
“The best way out is always through.”
- Robert Frost
Every single curveball in life has a lesson or even a hidden blessing to offer. And if we sit with discomfort instead of numbing it with alcohol, it becomes an opportunity for healing and growth.
August 5th was my birthday 🎂👗🤩, so I guess I’m now officially another year older and wiser. 😋
It was a wonderful, but interesting day...
As I celebrated my birthday, amidst the joyous moments, a negative restaurant experience opened my eyes to the strength and resilience I've gained through living an alcohol-free life. 🙏🏻❤️
The day started off beautifully as I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure. A spur of the moment decision had me walking into my local hair salon for some advice on how to use a new hair accessory I’d bought. Not only did my wonderful hairdresser show me how to use my pretty new accessory, but she also sat me down, whipped up a beautiful upstyle and then refused to let me pay her! What a kind and happy birthday experience! 💕
Lunch at a nearby restaurant was amazing! Despite no mocktails being on the menu, the bartender got creative and crafted some fabulously delicious non-alcoholic beverages for us to savor. They were delicious! 😋
The celebrations continued to dinner. The ambiance was perfect, with a stunning sunset view.
But unfortunately, the night took a dark turn. 😬 😬
To put it simply, the restaurant kept us waiting for over an hour, despite having a reservation.
The disorganization was hectic, and one of the managers who was incredibly rude and unprofessional – even screamed at my husband. As I stood there watching the verbally abusive scene unfold, I got hit with a wave of anxiety. When I felt the dysregulation come on, however, I noticed that it wasn’t as intense as it would have been in years past (which felt like a win 🙌). At that point we really wanted to leave, but where was I going to find a table for 7 people on a busy Saturday night? 😬 We felt stuck.
In a situation like that, the old me would have definitely reached for a drink, seeking solace in alcohol.
But now, that thought never crosses my mind and it’s incredibly liberating! 🙌
Instead of reaching for a drink, I instinctively turned towards the sunset, knowing it would help my nervous system and my mood. It was wonderful having the ability to redirect my attention to the present moment, ground myself and regulate my nervous system simply by connecting with something that lights up my soul - the sunset! 🧠😌
So, thankfully, we managed to salvage the situation, finding humor amidst the chaos and enjoying the breathtaking sunset before us.
It’s tough moments like these that make me so thankful for where I am now in life, and I feel increasingly grateful for my alcohol-free lifestyle. Learning to regulate my nervous system has worked wonders for my mental and emotional health. 🌅🤩💕
Some of our dinner group still drink alcohol, but on my birthday celebration, not a single person ordered alcohol! 👏🙌 It was truly an impressive feat considering that stressful situations and celebrations often act as triggers for drinking. More importantly, it was wonderful to be supported in not drinking alcohol by people I care about.
The journey to living an alcohol-free life can be made difficult when you don’t have support from the people around you – so for them to have that awareness and be respectful of my choices feels so good for my soul. 💗
While there were moments when I felt a bit dysregulated during the evening's chaos, I found calm in accepting the situation as it happened and letting go of my initial expectations.
Living an alcohol-free life for over 31 months has provided me with the tools I need to reduce anxiety and uplift my mood. Even though a "black cloud of chaos" loomed from the restaurant staff, our group managed to share laughs and witness the beauty of a sunset, plus, I blew out a birthday candle, and I felt super-confident in my bold outfit choice. 🌅🎂🙏🏻🔥👗🤩
So, as I reflect on this birthday experience, I am reminded of the resilience I've cultivated since embracing sobriety. It's a reminder of the positive impacts that come with regulating our nervous systems and combating feelings of anxiety and depression. Each day without alcohol brings newfound strength and an unwavering belief in my ability to navigate life's challenges with grace.
A recent blog in the Daily OM ‘When Life Throws You a Curveball, ’ sums up beautifully what I think about often:
“When the unexpected happens, you always have your inner core strength which cannot be taken from you.
The ability to accept what is happening and let go of your original expectations is key when dealing with these unexpected turns of fate. We have a tendency to get stuck in our heads, clinging to an idea of how we think life should go, and we can have a hard time accepting anything that doesn’t comply with that idea. The fact is that life is unpredictable.”
Next time life throws a challenge your way, remember, every single curveball has a lesson or maybe a blessing in disguise to offer. 👩🏫
Here's to celebrating life's ups and downs, knowing that even amidst chaos, there is always an opportunity for growth, joy, and the beauty of an authentic, alcohol-free existence.
I'm rooting for you! ❤️
#NoAlcoholRequired
#SunsetsAreTheNewHappyHour
#NervousSystemRegulation
#TheFutureIsBright
#ImRootingForYou
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Remember…
EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY TO BE ALCOHOL-FREE, and SUNSETS ARE THE NEW HAPPY HOUR!
Kristin ❤️ x
