• Looks
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
  • Shop My Instagram + IG Stories
    • Instagram
  • My Kind Of Sweet Home
  • The Sober Mom Life
  • Motherhood
    • #momlife
    • Pregnancy
    • Bump Updates
    • Postpartum
  • 10 Days Of Activewear

my kind of sweet

Style. Sobriety. Mom Life.

Sobriety

What I’ve Learned In 2 Years Of Sobriety

January 19, 2022

Hi, sweet friends! Two years. TWO YEARS! Here’s what I’ve learned in 2 years of sobriety…

Suzanne standing on a rock in leggings and pullover. What I've learned in 2 years of sobriety

What I’ve Learned in 2 Years of Sobriety

THE FIRSTS ARE THE HARDEST.

I guess it makes sense that I just learned this after my second year of sobriety. My first year was filled with all of the firsts. I was experiencing everything sober for the first time. My first sober vacation. My first sober dinner date with The Mister. My first girl’s dinner. My first sober holiday.

Prior to getting sober, I had coupled alcohol with experiences. Like a movie and popcorn. They went together. My first year of sobriety was all about divorcing alcohol from everything and giving myself a chance to see if it actually enhanced anything.

My second year of sobriety was all about learning that alcohol was never the magic. Alcohol wasn’t the thing that made something fun. It wasn’t an enhancer. It was a detractor.

With the firsts under my belt, I could actually lean into sobriety, knowing that the vacations and holidays and events were going to be so much MORE fun now that I am sober.

PEOPLE’S REACTIONS TO MY SOBRIETY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH ME.

This one took awhile for me to learn. In early sobriety, I felt I had to prove to everyone why I was choosing sobriety, or why I don’t label myself an “alcoholic.”

I get pushback that I make sobriety look too easy. That for a lot of people it’s a lifelong battle, and my sobriety is misleading for them.

I can only share my story.

My sobriety story isn’t a battle. I’m not at war with alcohol, forever powerless to its grip. That’s just not my story.

My sobriety story is about freedom. I am free from alcohol, in all ways, and that’s the story I’ll continue to share.

I’VE NEVER REGRETTED CHOOSING NOT TO DRINK.

Much like a workout, I’ve legit NEVER regretted not drinking. I’ve never woken up after a night out with my friends and thought: Man, I should’ve had some wine. I wish my head was pounding right now.

There’s something about living without regrets that makes me feel lighter. And it’s been fucking amazing being able to feel proud of myself.

I wouldn’t trade that for a few drinks and a hangover any day.

I ACTUALLY AM STRONG ENOUGH TO FEEL ALL OF MY EMOTIONS.

Phew. This is a big one. If my second year of sobriety taught me anything, it’s that I can handle it.

My dad, dog and grandma all passed away in my second year of sobriety. It was fucking hard. The grief still catches me off guard. I’m still brought to my knees.

Still, I’m here. I’m sober. I didn’t drink away the pain or the feelings. When it all felt like too much, when I would have mindlessly poured myself a glass of wine, probably not even aware that I was drinking to numb the grief, I would retreat to my closet.

I can’t tell you how many times I went into my closet, shut the door behind me, sat on the floor and sobbed. More times than I can count.

I felt the pain. And I’m still here.

It always passed. I was always able to feel it all, get back up on my feet, and walk out of that closet and back into my life.

SOBRIETY IS IN THE LITTLE THINGS.

When I decided to give up alcohol, sobriety felt HUGE. Hell, I didn’t even know what it meant for my life, but I knew that it was a big decision.

Now, two years in, I can say that for me, sobriety is in the little things.

For me, sobriety is in those insignificant moments with my kids that I might have missed.

It’s in a clean kitchen every night before bed.

It’s in a date night with The Mister, filled with belly laughs because something was actually funny.

It’s in a clear head every. single. morning.

It’s in real conversation with my friends over coffee.

It’s in feeling true to myself all of the time, no matter where I am or who I’m with.

It’s in trusting myself.

choosing not to drink Giving Up Alcohol Sobriety what I've learned in 2 years of sobriety
by suzanne 
4 Comments

About suzanne

View all posts by suzanne

Related Posts

  • The Sunday Sweet Edit | No. 48
  • Let’s Talk About Sober Vacation
  • What’s In My Sobriety Toolbox?
  • When Does Sobriety Get Easier? | Answering Your Questions
previous article: My First Sober Girls’ Trip
next article: My Tattoo Removal Update

Comments

  1. Marita says: January 19, 2022 at 1:01 pm

    Congratulations……

    Reply
  2. CC says: January 21, 2022 at 1:34 pm

    Hi, I am currently doing dry January and am liking it so much I may just continue. Curious to know if there are special NA drinks you drink for special occasions or if you are out to dinner etc. I find that I miss my Friday night treat (after work week). I have been making little NA cocktails that seem to help replace the glass of wine I’m used too. I don’t typically drink alcohol every night but its out to dinner, vacations, etc where I like to treat myself, but maybe my NA drinks will replace those…

    Reply
  3. Deanne Williams says: March 25, 2022 at 10:49 am

    I am so happy for you. I also love how honest you are! 💗⭐️

    Reply
    • suzanne says: March 28, 2022 at 7:41 am

      Thank you so much, Deanne! I really appreciate it. xo

      Reply

Leave Your Comments Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




HI! I’M SUZANNE…

 

Welcome to my little corner of the internet! Reheat your coffee from this morning. Pull up a chair. Get comfy. Chances are you came for a few style posts, but maybe you’ll stay for the sobriety and motherhood posts, too. I’m so glad you’re here… xo

  • View mykindofsweetblog’s profile on Facebook
  • View mykindofsweet’s profile on Twitter
  • View mykindofsweet’s profile on Instagram
  • View suzanneknower’s profile on Pinterest

SHOP MY INSTAGRAM + STORIES

summer favorites

BEAUTY FAVORITES

My Kind of Sweet - Finding Style In Motherhood

Popular Posts

  • My Go-To Sites For Maternity Clothes
    My Go-To Sites For Maternity Clothes
  • How To: Beachy Waves For Fine Hair + My Favorite Hair Products
    How To: Beachy Waves For Fine Hair + My Favorite Hair Products
  • J.Crew Sweater Blazer | 8 Ways
    J.Crew Sweater Blazer | 8 Ways
  • Botox: Advice, Regrets And Before + After
    Botox: Advice, Regrets And Before + After
  • 10 Stylish "Lazy" Mom Outfits (No Denim Allowed)
    10 Stylish "Lazy" Mom Outfits (No Denim Allowed)

Archives

DISCLOSURE

My Kind of Sweet is part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links, I may make a commission. All opinions are my own. For collaborations + advertising opportunities, please contact my management team molly@vraidigital.com

BEAUTY FAVORITES

Popular Posts

  • My Go-To Sites For Maternity Clothes
    My Go-To Sites For Maternity Clothes
  • How To: Beachy Waves For Fine Hair + My Favorite Hair Products
    How To: Beachy Waves For Fine Hair + My Favorite Hair Products
  • J.Crew Sweater Blazer | 8 Ways
    J.Crew Sweater Blazer | 8 Ways
  • Botox: Advice, Regrets And Before + After
    Botox: Advice, Regrets And Before + After
  • 10 Stylish "Lazy" Mom Outfits (No Denim Allowed)
    10 Stylish "Lazy" Mom Outfits (No Denim Allowed)

Archives

Everywhere

DISCLOSURE

My Kind of Sweet is part of several affiliate advertising programs. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links, I may make a commission. All opinions are my own. For collaborations + advertising opportunities, please contact my management team molly@vraidigital.com

mykindofsweet

Style + sobriety. Fighting #mommywineculture while sharing casual cool style over 40 🖤 Also @thesobermomlife + @mykindofsweethome for home decor

suzanne | sobriety in style
Tomorrow I get to do something I’ve been wanting Tomorrow I get to do something I’ve been wanting to do for years. I will have a partial hysterectomy (leaving my ovaries). I’m 41 years old and it’s high time.  
 
I’ve lived with chronic uterine pain from fibroids for almost 20 years. It’s affected every part of my life, almost every single day. I’ve learned to deal with the pain and mitigate where I can. But still… 
 
We need to talk about fibroid pain. 
We need to talk about period pain.  
We need to talk about uterine pain. 
  
Most of all we need to listen to women when we say we’re in pain.  
 
Cramps HURT like hell. And while we’re strong enough to deal with the pain, maybe we’re just too damn tired to continue trying.  
 
And did you know? It’s called a “hysterectomy” because it was believed that women’s uteruses were making them hysterical.  
 
Let that sink in.  
 
I’m not hysterical.  
We’re not hysterical.  
We’re fucking warriors who have fought battles with our bodies.  
 
It’s time. 
♥️ 
 
#hystersister #hysterectomy #hysterectomyawareness #hysterectomysupport #womenshealthmatters #mentalhealth #fibroids #fibroidsawareness #healing #healingjourney #periodproblems #wombhealth #womenshealth
Hi, I’m Georgia☀️ (That last video though 🤍🐶) ⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#australianlabradoodle #australianlabradoodles #australianlabradoodlesofinstagram #labradoodle #labradoodlecorner #labradoodlelife #labradoodlepuppy
My first sober girls’ trip. Done.    It’s My first sober girls’ trip. Done.   
It’s the firsts, sweet friends. Get through the firsts.   
Sharing all about it today on mykindofsweet.com.  
 
🖤 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
 #soberbabe #soberbabes #sobercommunity #sobercurious #soberfun #sobergirl #sobergirlsociety #soberissexy #soberjourney #soberlife #soberlifestyle #sobermom #sobermovement #sobernation #sobernotboring #soberwarrior #soberwomen #sobriety
Merry Christmas, sweet friends… ✨    Sendi Merry Christmas, sweet friends… ✨ 
 
Sending you light and love on this day that may be difficult for some. It’s amazed me all day that a heart so full can also feel a little broken. Maybe that’s just how it goes. ❤️ 
 
Swipe to see our last three Christmas family photos. Sometimes we get it together. 😉 
⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
#christmas2021 #christmas2021🎄🎅🎁 #christmasday #christmasdecor #christmasdecorating #christmasdecoration #christmasmagic #christmasmood #christmasphotoshoot
If anyone needs me after this highly emotional whi If anyone needs me after this highly emotional whirlwind weekend, I’ll be curled up, wearing this hooded blanket… 🖤 Shop it here —> https://liketk.it/3u7o7 ⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#amazondeals #amazonfashion #amazonfashionfinds #amazonfinds #amazoninfluencer #amazonstyle #fashionstyle #founditonamazon #founditonamazonfashion
Cozy, chic + on sale! 💥 My puffer is 20% off an Cozy, chic + on sale! 💥 My puffer is 20% off and I found my belt bag for less than $200, which is 🍌🍌 It’s all linked in today’s Daily Edit here —> https://mykindofsweet.com/mkos_daily_look/cozy-chic/ 🖤 ⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
.⁣
#athleisure #casualoutfits #liketkit #ltksalealert #puffer #puffercoat #pufferjacket #pufferjackets #winterclothes #winterclothing #winterfashion
Take me back! 😍 Are you guys shopping this cybe Take me back! 😍 Are you guys shopping this cyber insanity?? I’ll be sharing all the deals tomorrow, but now I’m breaking for #rhoslc. Obvs. 😉  
 
I stumbled on so many adorable mama + mini matching sweatshirts on sale that I had to share this moment from last year! I linked them all here —> http://liketk.it/3tagR 🖤📸 @ironandhoney 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
#mamaandme #mamaandmini #mamaandminiadventures #mamaandminiclothing #mamaandminifashion #mamaandminimatching #mamaandminishirts #motherhoodinspired #shopsmallbusiness
Let the sales begin! 💥 (Also let’s be honest Let the sales begin! 💥 (Also let’s be honest they began like a few days ago and Black Friday is now Cyber Week, but STILL!)  
 
Sharing a HUGE Black Friday sales round up on mykindofsweet.com 🙌🏻 Swipe for a few of my tried and trues that are included and should probs be on your list… 🎁🖤  
 
I’m sharing my home decor same faves on @mykindofsweethome so be sure to follow me over there, too! ✨ 
 
Also head to stories for some personal shopping and leave me a request if you have one! I’ll find it 😉😘  
⁣ 
Phew! Time for more pie. 😉 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
#cyberweek #cyberweeksale #liketkit #ltkunder100 #ltkunder50 #ltkstyletip #affordablefashion #ltkshoecrush #liketoknowit #ltksalealert  
📸 @ironandhoney
So much to have and hold. And so thankful for it a So much to have and hold. And so thankful for it all. 🖤  
 
To this sweet community - thank you for your support and for allowing me to stumble and create and share and be vulnerable.  
 
And to anyone who is celebrating their first sober Thanksgiving, you’ve got this. The firsts are always the hardest. You will wake up tomorrow morning with a clear mind and you’ll realize that the magic was never the alcohol. It was you. Your family. And connection.  
 
Keep going. ❤️ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
#boozefree #hangoverfreeclub #soberholiday #gratitude #soberfriday #soberwarrior #soberweekend #thanksgiving2021 #thanksgivingday #thanksgivingfun 📸 @jessiehearnphotography
I’m so excited to share our family photos + a fu I’m so excited to share our family photos + a fun gift idea with @minted! #ad 
I love to find luxe, custom gifts for our family and this heart snapshot print is just perfect. It’s a great keepsake gift grandparents who want to stay connected to the little ones. I have ours hanging in my girl’s room because she spotted it and claimed it and I just couldn’t say no. 😉 
Use code SUZANNEGIFTS to save 20% + Free Shipping until Dec 5th! 
Swipe to see a few of our family photos from this year and head to mykindofsweet.com for more unique gift ideas with Minted. 🖤 #mintedholiday #mymintedmoment
Happy Halloween from a Minion, Gru, Dr. Nefario + Happy Halloween from a Minion, Gru, Dr. Nefario + two witches (not pictured 😉)! 🎃 
  
(Also, my girls wanted me to be Lucy, but I think Dr. Nefario is way cooler. I mean, c’mon. Steampunk googles.)   
  
Hope your day was more treat than trick! 🖤 ⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
#familycostume #halloweencostume #halloweencostumes #halloweenfun #halloweenideas #halloweeniscoming #halloweenseason #halloweentime #happyhalloween
Book the flight.     Take the trip.     An Book the flight.  
 
Take the trip.  
 
And if you need to recharge, I can’t recommend @miravalresorts enough. #notanad Sharing all about our time there today on mykindofsweet.com. ✨ ⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
.⁣ 
#holisticwellness #luxurytravel #meditation #wellnessadvocate #wellnessblogger #wellnessretreat #wellnesswarrior #yogagram #yogainspiration #yogalife #yogapractice
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Theme by Georgia Lou Studios, customized by Meyne

Copyright © 2023 · Prima Donna on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Lost your style in the chaos of motherhood?

Sign up to get my 5 simple tips to elevate your mama style!
(It's easier than you think.)

Subscribe to:
{"cookieName":"wBounce","isAggressive":false,"isSitewide":true,"hesitation":"2","openAnimation":"fadeIn","exitAnimation":false,"timer":"","sensitivity":"","cookieExpire":"4","cookieDomain":"","autoFire":"","isAnalyticsEnabled":false}