"There was this voice that used to accompany me everywhere. I’d glance at myself in the mirror and the voice would start to tell me what a loser and fuck-up I was. It was there all of the time. "
Hi Sari and Sharon. Thank you for the vulnerability and humor shared here. I am a psychiatrist 16 years in recovery who runs a confidential program for physicians and other health pros in WA that have substance and mental health problems that are negatively impacting their practice. I am new to substack and this article was, for whatever reason, the first I came across as I began exploring the platform. In recovery communities we call that a “God shot.” Anyway, I am now subscribed and looking forward to more! At 55, Oldster seems like my vibe!
Welcome aboard, Chris! Glad to have you here. Thanks for subscribing. I think you'd also love The Small Bow, the recovery newsletter I partner with on this series. http://thesmallbow.substack.com
Hi, Sari, I think I'm ready to do the questionnaire. If you have a lot of them waiting in line, just file mine in the back somewhere. I'm not in a hurry. By the way, I will turn 86 on Friday, Feb. 21. Can't believe it. That seems seriously elderly.
I once told two lovely women that it would be a tragedy of immense proportions if they carried on smoking. They looked angry and carried on. That was 15 years ago. I wonder....I gave up drinking and smoking 40 years ago. And now i am well past my early eighties and exercise all the time. Normal weight and can still run for a bus. Don't drive due to age and eye issues. My secret ingredient is my total belief that we are eternal Spirits with temporary bodies. I look after both with diet exercise and prayer. I had an eye injection a few weeks ago. Unusually it hurt like hell afterwards. So much that I asked Jesus to help me.. The pain faded in five seconds back to the normal soreness I get from those jabs. Minor miracle? It felt very major to me. I hope it will help you dear reader. If not pray harder!! Dai.
Honesty is such an attractive thing in humans. Sharon's interview shows a tenacity and incredible struggle, doing her best to cope, and then to turn it all around to her recovery. Amazing. Happy for her.
I love the Hungry Hippo story! When I was little I once told neighbours that Luke Skywalker and Snow White lived in my attic. I grew out of fibbing pretty early on. I really appreciate honesty, like yours, Sharon. Thank you! ♥️
I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. Being in recovery from alcohol and eating disorders, I could relate to much of what you’ve written.
The lightness in your writing is wonderful. It’s easy to get lost in the difficulties, especially when we have those awful negative voices in our heads. One thing that I feel I’ve got a good handle on, finally , after 37 yrs in 12 step programs, is this:
Rule #62: Don’t take yourself so seriously. Has that ever lightened my load.
Hi Sari and Sharon. Thank you for the vulnerability and humor shared here. I am a psychiatrist 16 years in recovery who runs a confidential program for physicians and other health pros in WA that have substance and mental health problems that are negatively impacting their practice. I am new to substack and this article was, for whatever reason, the first I came across as I began exploring the platform. In recovery communities we call that a “God shot.” Anyway, I am now subscribed and looking forward to more! At 55, Oldster seems like my vibe!
Welcome aboard, Chris! Glad to have you here. Thanks for subscribing. I think you'd also love The Small Bow, the recovery newsletter I partner with on this series. http://thesmallbow.substack.com
Just subscribed! TY!
Hi, Sari, I think I'm ready to do the questionnaire. If you have a lot of them waiting in line, just file mine in the back somewhere. I'm not in a hurry. By the way, I will turn 86 on Friday, Feb. 21. Can't believe it. That seems seriously elderly.
Happy almost birthday, Marianna! I'll drop you a line...
I once told two lovely women that it would be a tragedy of immense proportions if they carried on smoking. They looked angry and carried on. That was 15 years ago. I wonder....I gave up drinking and smoking 40 years ago. And now i am well past my early eighties and exercise all the time. Normal weight and can still run for a bus. Don't drive due to age and eye issues. My secret ingredient is my total belief that we are eternal Spirits with temporary bodies. I look after both with diet exercise and prayer. I had an eye injection a few weeks ago. Unusually it hurt like hell afterwards. So much that I asked Jesus to help me.. The pain faded in five seconds back to the normal soreness I get from those jabs. Minor miracle? It felt very major to me. I hope it will help you dear reader. If not pray harder!! Dai.
Honesty is such an attractive thing in humans. Sharon's interview shows a tenacity and incredible struggle, doing her best to cope, and then to turn it all around to her recovery. Amazing. Happy for her.
What a beautiful woman! Thank you for sharing, Sharon and Sari. You have given my day a boost of gratitude!
<3
Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest!
Oh my gosh, you are the sweetest.
I love the Hungry Hippo story! When I was little I once told neighbours that Luke Skywalker and Snow White lived in my attic. I grew out of fibbing pretty early on. I really appreciate honesty, like yours, Sharon. Thank you! ♥️
I wish I had grown out of it earlier!
I appreciate your honesty and vulnerability. Being in recovery from alcohol and eating disorders, I could relate to much of what you’ve written.
The lightness in your writing is wonderful. It’s easy to get lost in the difficulties, especially when we have those awful negative voices in our heads. One thing that I feel I’ve got a good handle on, finally , after 37 yrs in 12 step programs, is this:
Rule #62: Don’t take yourself so seriously. Has that ever lightened my load.
I look forward to reading more from you ☺️
Love "...I get to experience the joy of recovery, even when life is doing it’s life-y thing and not being so much fun." So wise and life-affirming.
Sharon,
You are very brave to share your experience with alcohol and addiction— so thank you for your honesty. 🙏 Bravo.
I struggle with the food thing, and I love food. Yay, to low dose Prozac. We all need to know we are not alone.
Btw you are a gorgeous woman!
Aw, shucks. Thank you so much!
This made me laugh out loud and also inspired me to do a bit of inner-demon housecleaning myself: "I’m so glad that voice is gone. Sayonara, asshole."
Yes!