Jo ~ 3652 days

“I made a decision over ten years ago to stop drinking , at the time it was solely due to my need to respond to calls from work , to ensure I was safe driving if called out at night. I very quickly started to see the benefits of being sober every day. I was never physically dependant but my choices in life improved significantly when drink wasn't part of my life. I started to see the beauty around me and became really focused on the outdoors. I started to focus on my garden and my mental wellbeing , I would feel wonderful after spending a Saturday in the garden , then relaxing and watching the hard work pay off. This moved on to days out in the countryside and going on walks to then finding a love for kayaking and outdoor wild swimming.

There is a restful feeling within me to know I can find fulfilment from nature and my love for water and the outdoors. There are days which are harder than others but difference is with sober living is that my mind is able to adapt and cope over time . Social anxiety improves , you become more naturally confident and less impaired . There seems to be a balance that I didn't have before , I make choices which compliment my life , plan weekends walking and seeing new lakes and mountains or even a local canal walk . I can enjoy every day without the impact of my mind being altered. I found this incredibly empowering .

By living my life this way I am in control and less likely to make those unsafe or unwise decisions . You can get up and go anywhere , it might be fishing , swimming in a mountain lake , walking in the woods when the rain comes down or feeling the cold water spay my face from the paddles of the kayak - There is a world of opportunities out there for so many who choose this sober life.”