One of the most important things I think I was able to realize when I first quit drinking, was that I needed something to replace it. I don’t mean another addiction, either. I truly believe that it’s vital to find something you love and put all of your focus and energy into it. Drinking alcohol got 100% of me for years, and gave nothing back to me other than a frenzy of unwanted issues. Oh, and bags under my eyes, sickly looking skin, the appearance of an added 10 years to, not only my face, but my body. Including a belly I obsessed over wanting to lose. And many more side affects that come with poisoning your body over and over with alcohol. I had always wanted to play an instrument. From the time I was in third grade and begged my mom to let me play the violin (we couldn’t afford it) to the pink guitar my husband bought me many years ago for a birthday present. That guitar sat, and sat, and sat. For about 15 years or more. I knew I needed a distraction to keep myself from drinking. So just a couple of weeks after my last drink, I finally picked up my pink guitar, and dusted her off. I have tiny Jimmy Dean sausage fingers, I swear! So it’s been more of a challenge to learn guitar than I thought. I can’t tell you how rewarding it is to be able to play it, though. After dreaming of playing the guitar since I was little, and finally doing so 30+ years later, it’s been just awesome. I dove into learning and practiced every night with a couple of different phone apps. On a regular basis I was “strumming” away in my bedroom avoiding being around my husband who was drinking in the living room. It was just a matter of days before I was looking forward to my lesson each night. I loved it and I still love it. Playing guitar is difficult and I have a lot of learning and practicing to do. I can honestly say, that I don’t know if it would’ve been possible to avoid alcohol had I not done a swan-dive into this new hobby. I hope when you know it’s your time to quit drinking alcohol, that you dig up a deep desire you’ve always had, and make it a reality for yourself. It might just save you.

Looking Ahead . . .

I sometimes have to laugh at myself. Once I kicked the booze and started practicing guitar, I suddenly wanted to do everything. I had other instruments I was curious about, different languages I wanted to take-on. With quitting drinking comes a whole new you. A realization that you seriously can do whatever you desire. When you’re finally thinking clearly and life is falling into place, there’s a part of you that just can’t be stopped. I do plan to pursue other dreams of mine when the time is right. I’m also in the process of learning how to take care of my body and have lost quite a bit of weight. For the first time since I was a kid, I’m finally starting to feel like I’m supposed to feel . . . Good! I want you to find that, too.