AINYF SHORTS

The Art & Beauty of Being Sober

The best thing that happened to me after I quit drinking.

Before I got sober, I was constantly running.

And not in a physical way. I was running in my mind.

My thoughts were all over the place. I was constantly thinking about how my life should be.

Always looking for the next big thing. Something to give me some self-worth.

It was an endless pursuit of perfection. I didn’t see the beauty and simplicity of the present.

I was constantly comparing myself to others.

Why hadn’t I made the next step in my career yet?

Why is my relationship not like the my best friend’s relationship?

Why am I not growing as a person?

Scrolling through social media made this even worse. I watched how they were living their best lives.

It left me feeling worthless.

This somewhat changed when I decided to challenge the thoughts between my ears.

I woke up early on a Saturday morning, sat at my kitchen table, and looked out the window.

I watched the leaves dancing in the wind. Gently settling on the ground.

It was a very simple moment. But it was filled with a sense of peace and tranquility.

I realized that by constantly striving for more, I couldn’t truly appreciate the life I already had.

I was so focused on the future, the next milestone and the next achievement.

It made me miss out on the present moment.

I decided to let go of the need to always be doing something. To always be reaching for the next goal.

I started to focus on being present. On appreciating the small things in life.

I started to cherish my meals, meaningful conversations and to simply enjoy the beauty of the world around me.

Appreciating the present moment made happier and more fulfilled.

I wasn’t comparing myself to others any longer. And I was no longer chasing after an unrealistic ideal.

I was simply living my life. One day at a time.

I also started to notice a change in my relationship with alcohol.

I used to drink to escape from my problems and to numb myself to my feelings.

But as I became more and more present, I found out one important thing.

I didn’t need alcohol to cope with life’s challenges anymore.

I was able to face my problems head-on. And work through them in a healthy way.

Getting sober has been one of the best decisions in my life.