I’m Seriously Sober (2026)

28/01/2026

Active addiction took all this from me and more. Now I live each day filled with…

* Freedom * Responsibility * Trust * Full nights of sleep * Healthy Relationships * Employment * Self Respect * Love * Home * Integrity * Belief in Myself * Family * Sobriety * Hangover Free Mornings * Rational Thinking * Health * Friends * Pride * Unconditional Love * Money * Serenity * Faith * Honesty * Motivation * Independence * Dignity * Transparency * Security * Confidence * Courage * Passion * Determination * Choices* My Life * Me *

13/01/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CH3B1N9TM/?mibextid=wwXIfr

11/01/2026

Some days are just too much.

I often get caught up in the craziness of life.

This could be related to being a parent: doing the wash so the uniform is ready for the next game, teaching valuable life lessons, checking school assignments and homework, picking up from practice and running to next medical appointment, planning college visits, making a healthy dinner every night, etc.

This could be related to work: responding to emails, dealing with co-workers, attending every zoom and in person meeting, exceeding expectations, juggling eight tasks at once, actually doing my job, etc.

This could be related to recovery: attending meetings, going to therapy, calling supportive people in your life, doing step work, being of service, helping others, etc.

I often have to remind myself that I get to be overwhelmed by life today without having to manage my addiction as well. I’m grateful my life is a balance of all these roles I get to play without needing active alcoholic to be one of them.

I have to remember that I woke up today. And I did it sober. That’s my first blessing. My second one is that I get to be a productive person in society because I am no longer basing my life around my next drink.

I need to pause (Please Assist Until Serenity Enters) and remember to be grateful. Always be grateful for another day.

04/01/2026

A life beyond your wildest dreams… 💙

I’d hear this over and over again in early recovery…don’t leave before the miracle happens because this type of life is promised to you if you choose a life in sobriety. I was skeptical and didn’t believe it was possible. I assumed I’d struggle with my alcoholism and be miserable for the rest of my life.

In active addiction, my only dream was to have an endless supply of Captain Morgan and for everyone to leave me alone and never find out about the extent of my drinking. It was a pathetic existence but one I was content with simply because it allowed me to numb out the pain, abuse and trauma. I was okay with isolating from the world as long as I had my alcohol.

Early recovery wasn’t easy. Triggers, expectations and the never ending feelings of shame and guilt would keep me stuck. But I never gave up. I continued to fight each day for my sobriety. I was determined to find this life beyond my wildest dreams that I always heard about.

It didn’t take long. By choosing to do the next right thing each and every day, things began to fall into place. I got a fabulous job. My relationship with my family started to improve. I became more confident not only in my recovery but in simply being me. I started to get months of sobriety and then years. I was free. I became happy, genuinely happy. It was something I had never felt before. It was like a dream come true.

And then completely unexpectedly came along Brian. This man you see here in this picture, he completed the dream of happily ever after, the life beyond my wildest dreams. 7 years ago today, we got married on cold January night (and yea, I wore flip flops because eh, why not). It has been an adventure filled with more laughs than I thought possible and more happiness than I thought I deserved.

No more being married to the bottle. No more drunken lonely nights. No more being stuck in the cycle of addiction.

Recovery…This is the life…A life beyond my wildest dreams 💛

(PS…Happy Anniversary Babe ❤️ Thanks for being you and loving me like you do!)

31/12/2025

I used to love New Year’s Eve.

College Amy. Early 20s Amy. Active Addiction Amy. I couldn’t wait for this night.

It was the one night of the year that I knew I wasn’t going to be the only drunken mess. Others used this night to get black out drunk and over the top stupid as well. I knew I wasn’t going to be alone in my drinking.

Looking back now, I realize what a red flag that thinking was. I didn’t want to see it then, but I know now that wanting to be around others who drank as sloppily as I did was an issue. It helped to hide my problematic drinking and justify my excessive consumption. I was able to blend into the crowd of drunken debacles and not be the only mess that night.

Sober Amy thinks of this night as any other night of the year.

I keep it simple. My family cooks dinner together. We watch some football and crappy tv. I’m in bed before the clock strikes 12. And as I close my eyes, I reflect back on the day and set good intentions for the next one. I go to sleep with gratitude in my heart for another day sober.

So this New Years…it’s your choice.

Celebrate with alcohol mixed with justifications and excuses for your poor choices. Or celebrate with appreciation mixed with a good night sleep and happy memories with those you love.

Whatever you decide, be safe. And make the start of 2026 the best you can!

Hey 2025, we’ll see ya. It’s been a doozy.

30/12/2025

As we approach another year, we hear a lot about resolutions - promises of change that will last all year long. But let’s stop right there.

It seems too overwhelming to agree to massive changes for that extensive period of time.

If recovery teaches us nothing else, it helps us focus on small changes one day at a time. We identify unhealthy choices and each day we wake trying to better ourselves. Then we try again the next day. And the next day.

Please do not get distracted by resolutions that most likely will not last.

Change it up this year. Focus on realistic changes. Think about simplifying life, one change, one day at a time. You can do this. If you get get through a day without drinking, you can do anything. You got this.

Make 2024 the best yet!

#2025

25/12/2025

Whatever you are celebrating today, I hope you do it with lots of love and gratitude in your heart!

May your presence be the greatest gift of all!

XOXO ❤️

24/12/2025

Sober holidays?

You can totally do this.

Stay focused.

Have supportive people around.

Create a plan.

Know your triggers.

Prioritize your sobriety (and you).

Believe in yourself.

I do.

21/12/2025

It’s the season for giving gifts…

I’ve always struggled with gift giving. While I love shopping and picking out gifts for others, I get anxious. I worry that my gift won’t be enough or exactly what they wanted. I fear that they will be disappointed in the gift. I stress over all the details.

Over time, I’ve learned that this all stems from my issue with people pleasing and being consumed by the happiness of others. I now know that I could give my family anything and they’d be happy.

You know how I know this?

Because I have already given every single person in my family the greatest gift of all…

I have given them peace of mind. I have given them restful nights of sleep. I have given them times together filled with laughter and love. I have given them the gift of sobriety - something they all wanted for so long and because I chose recovery, they are gifted it day after day.

The gift of sobriety is priceless and so powerful. So this holiday season, find the strength to give your family a moment, a day, a week (or whatever you can manage) of calm and peace because you are not drinking.

I promise it will be the greatest gift they ever receive.

14/12/2025

It’s that time of year - when you’re excited to get into the holiday spirit…but then remember how stressful and painful the holidays can be when trying to stay sober.

It’s not easy - holidays can be very triggering for some and we need to be prepared so an impulsive bad choice doesn’t lead to a relapse. Here are a few strategies that I find helpful when approaching the holidays….

1. How important is it - assess each family gathering, work party, neighborhood get together. Is your presence absolutely required? Will alcohol be served and possibly trigger you? It is okay to prioritize your sobriety and not attend holiday events to ensure your sobriety is intact. People who want you sober and understand recovery will support any decision you make. And if someone gives you a hard time for choosing not to go - do you really want that kind of person in your life?

2. Have an exit plan - if you decide to attend a holiday event, have an exit strategy. Drive yourself so you can always leave and not have to rely on someone else for transportation. Arrive late and leave early. Say your hellos and be seen for a short time and then leave. You’re not required to stay for hours. Give yourself a time limit.

3. Designate your safe person - go to a holiday gathering with someone who knows you’re in recovery. Spend the night in their presence so you have a supportive person you can pull aside and talk to if necessary. Talk to this person ahead of time and make them aware that you may want to leave at any given moment. Choose someone that values your sobriety as much as you do.

4. Know your triggers - if you know certain people, houses, activities etc can be triggering for you, be prepared for their presence. Don’t be caught off guard. Plan your reaction if you become triggered so reaching for a drink isn’t your solution. Self awareness is key.

5. Keep your phone readily available - with a touch of a few buttons, you can be connected with someone who can talk you through difficult situations. Have a list of people you can contact for support in case you are stuck in an uncomfortable situation.

You do not have get through the holidays alone. There are people who love and support you and want to see you have a happy and sober holiday season. Reach out to others and let them help you.

We are stronger together, always.

10/12/2025

I vaguely remember sitting on my bed, holding the phone, debating whether to make the call.

I had two choices. Stay stuck in active addiction and live the rest of my life drunk and miserable. Or I could finally surrender and fight like hell to save myself.

I am beyond thankful that even in the middle of a drunken stupor I had the realization that maybe, just maybe I was worth it.

So here’s to 10 years of hard work, effort, growth, uncomfortability, vulnerability and change. I had to find a way to work through the difficult, talk about the hard and create the new. Wasn’t easy, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Life in sobriety is just too damn good.

So here’s to the unconditional love and support of my family, especially my parents who never gave up on me. Your faith and belief in me kept me going, even when I wasn’t sure I really wanted to at times. I’m forever grateful for you both.

So here’s to my son, the not so little boy of mine, who was my motivation back then and continues to be my why - you deserve a sober mom and I’d do anything for you. Keep shooting for the stars…or at least some 3s!

So here’s to my husband, my rock who has helped create my happily ever after in recovery. Thank you for loving me for me and helping me create this beautiful life I live!

So here’s to all of you - you help keep me sober day after day. You inspire me and remind me that I’m not alone in this struggle. We can stay sober and get through anything when we have each other. I’m so very grateful we do this journey of life together.

10 years. I’m still in awe.

07/12/2025

Reflecting back on my old life and comparing it to my new life tends to happen alot this time of year for me. The combination of my sober anniversary and the holidays always gets me thinking because so much has changed over the years.

Here are words to describe a typical December in my active addiction:

Shopping. Baking. Drinking. Lying. Wrapping. Manipulating. Socializing. Justifying. Feeling obligated to attend every party and activity but instead isolating with a bottle. Blacking out. Faking perfection. Celebrating. Making excuses. Pretending.

Here are words to describe a typical December in my recovery:

Shopping. Setting boundaries. Socializing but having an exit plan. Baking. Saying no. Being honest with myself and others. Coffee. Wrapping. Enjoying the lights. Being present. Loving on family. Avoiding negativity. Doing the next right thing. Celebrating life.

The one constant thing in my life has been change. I needed to change everything in early recovery in order to maintain my sobriety. As the years go by and my recovery strengthens, I continue to make changes to ensure my sobriety comes first. People and things come and go. Attitudes and perspectives shift. Priorities change.

December can be a tricky time for people, especially those of us who are in recovery. For me, my sobriety has to come first. I will adjust life and make changes as need be in order to avoid that first drink. I can’t regret the changes, my recovery and my life literally depend on it.

I’m Seriously Sober