Celeste on Sobriety

We hear it all the time - “No one ever said that maintaining abstinence from substances or addictive behaviour was going to be easy, but it is worth it.” Indeed, recovery is a life-long journey, and some times will be easier than others, depending on what obstacles lay in our path, and how connected we are to a program and ongoing support.  We will all experience factors in our life that make recovery harder to keep on top of, and oftentimes, we have no control over these things.  I for one, find the winter months leave me feeling somewhat low in energy and motivation, and I have to fight the urge to wrap myself up in my duvet and hide away from my responsibilities, as well as the work I know I need to do in order to maintain my sobriety. Thankfully, with time and practice, I have largely learned how to manage my symptoms, and keep my recovery as my number one priority. More on this later.  I am not alone in finding winter challenging. For some people this seasonal shift...

Another year has flown by, and it’s that time of year again! Christmas can be challenging at the best of times but being in recovery doesn’t have to suck the joy out of your seasonal celebrations. Even though I was firm in my decision not to drink and had 6 months solid sobriety under my belt, my first sober Christmas still required some preparation and navigation. And as I moved through the festive period, there were some unexpected things that cropped up. Interestingly, the main issue I had was that my family were more awkward about my sobriety than me! Every time my stepdad mentioned, or had a drink, my mum would apologise on his behalf. I could tell she wanted a glass of wine, but she was holding off to show solidarity. While this was a very sweet and appreciated gesture, I had to remind her on several occasions that I was happy with my decision not to drink and that she could relax and enjoy herself and her wine. I was quite content with my sparkling water, thank you very much! Ev...

Whether you're donning your fake crown and excited for your street party, or have little interest in the Jubilee celebrations, the long weekend is bound to bring with it some tricky temptations.  You could lock yourself in your room for the duration, but that doesn't sound like much fun at all!  Instead, take a deep breath and remind yourself of how far you have come in your recovery - 'just one' drink (or your substance of choice) is simply not worth it. Our inner addict will no doubt try to persuade us otherwise, but remember - Our thoughts are not instructions. We do not have to listen to them and we definitely don't have to do what they tell us! Here are some simple, but effective tips to help you get to Monday sober and free! 1. PREPARE YOUR MINDSET  This one is so simple, it seems too good to be true. But I do this every time I venture out to a party, dinner or anywhere that alcohol is an option.  Take a few moments to ground yourself before you go out (or hav...

WHAT IS STRESS? Stress is defined as ‘the feeling of being overwhelmed or unable to cope with mental or emotional pressure’, causing bodily or mental tension.  Even if we manage to ‘keep it simple’ and minimise stress in our lives, there is sadly no way of avoiding it altogether, and is something that we have all experienced on some level.     "There is no such thing as a stress-free life. No evidence has ever been presented which suggests that a stress-free life can ever be achieved. Stress can be managed, relieved and lessened, but never eliminated.” Gudjon Bergmann It is however, important to recognise that not all stress is bad. Some stress in our lives is inevitable and part of the human experience. Accepting this is an important element of managing stress and maintaining perspective when things do get a bit full on!  So, take a deep breath and a few minutes out of your (hopefully not too stressful) day to learn a few stress basics.. THE SCIENCE BIT What does s...