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Nov 21, 2023·edited Nov 21, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

There are several people I know who have been sober since January 2022, and I can confirm your feelings are 100% authentic and true. I truly thought after the first year things would settle down, but I continue to unearth surprises within me even after two years. I am forever grateful to wake up every day seeing as clearly as possible.

The scary part is that I'm feeling some distance between me and those who aren't on this journey with me, and I feel like I'm leaving them in the past. Not sure if this is universal or not.

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Christopher, thank you so much for sharing your feelings on this. It is so heartening to know we are around the same length of recovery time because I, too, am finding it both liberating and disconcerting to be evolving past who I was, and with that, who I used to involve myself with. I am starting to see how the distance between us is real. And knowing I'll never go back, what that may mean as my recovery time progresses. Thank you for being here. Sending you all the respect and encouragement.

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Thank you, Allison. It does feel strange knowing you won't go back, but there certainly is no unlearning what we have learned.

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Nope, definitely no unlearning. I've been thinking about this new space, I've heard it called 'liminal space' - the space between the life we left behind and the one that's yet to come. It often feels at the beginning of sobriety there's a million resources and then you get two years out and it's like "well.... just keep going..." takes some getting used to. It's harder to describe.

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

Hello Christopher, I will be 3 years sober in January and I definitely have distance between those who haven't joined me. It's sad to think I may lose them, however, my well being and sobriety has opened my eyes to so many things, perhaps it's just the way it is sometimes.

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I think about this often. Is it a feature of aging or sobriety? Or both?

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Nov 23, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

I think it's both, as we get older, our friendship group gets smaller, filtering out the acquaintances. Getting sober for me has led to an even smaller group of my existing friends (down to 2). I've met some great sober peers with whom I keep in touch with, I'm now going to college training to be an addiction counsellor. To be honest it's enough social interaction for me I need more down time in an alcohol free life.

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I love that you said we need more downtime in this alc-free life. That's SO true.

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Nov 24, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

It's essential for me Allison, my lack of boundaries and doing too much for everyone else definitely contributed to my self medication with alcohol.

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You help me see this is a much deeper and more respectful light. Thank you so much. I could not agree more. xo

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

How lovely Allison, a belated happy anniversary to you both.

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Thank you so much, Tonia. You are so lovely. 🥰♥️

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

Happy anniversary love!! ♥️ I can't believe we are nearing the end of the year, what is time? I continue to feel so in awe of you and what you accomplish. Your writing over the past 2 years has really been such a quiet grounding reminder of what's possible, and you've helped me reevaluate my own relationship with drinking. I love hearing about your clear blissful mornings, the sparkling water, the good sleeps. Gosh that's all so incredibly important and helpful. Anyway just really happy for you. ♥️

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My dear beautiful friend, your kind and heartfelt words have brought tears to my eyes. I hope you know you are a bright joy for me every time you share with me. Thank you forever. Biggest hugs and love. ♥️♥️

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Nov 21, 2023Liked by Allison Taylor Conway

So many hugs and love for you too lady ♥️♥️♥️

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