Back in ’05, San Francisco was my world, alive with the buzz of a tech revolution I was nowhere near part of. Instead, I dove headfirst into a whirlwind of booze and drugs, convinced this was the high life. Surrounded by the city’s relentless energy, I spiraled out of control, blinded by the rush, oblivious to the tech geniuses shaping the future just blocks away.
My life was a series of highs, punctuated by reckless moments that should’ve been wake-up calls: hit by cars, broken bones, but still, I partied on for over 11 years. It was a wild ride, but not the kind that gets you anywhere good.
In 2018, seeking a change, we left the chaos of San Francisco for Portland’s calmer streets. But the real shift didn’t come until 2022 when I embraced sobriety. That’s when the true challenge began.
Leaving San Francisco didn’t magically erase my problems; it just made them clearer. Sobriety hit me with a reality I wasn’t prepared to face. The issues I’d numbed with substances were waiting for me, demanding attention I wasn’t sure I had.
Learning to navigate life without the blur of intoxication has been a daunting journey. Every step is a test, but it’s also freeing. Sobriety has given me a chance to rebuild my life, to see things as they are, not through the haze of a hangover.
Now, as 2024 unfolds, I’m facing the truth that sobriety is more than just quitting substances; it’s about confronting the habits that led me there. I’m still grappling with old tendencies, like spending money I don’t have and making impulsive decisions, as if I’m still in that “drunk world” where consequences are just an afterthought.
Our home, this condo, represents more than just shelter; it’s the stability my family desperately needs. Accepting work without pay for three months? That was me, still gambling on a future that’s not guaranteed, reminiscent of my drinking days when I’d bet on the next round being free.
This journey to sobriety has been a revelation. It’s not only about abstaining from alcohol and drugs; it’s about fundamentally changing how I live. It’s about facing reality head-on, making decisions grounded in the present, not in some hoped-for future.
The recent challenges have been tough, no doubt, but they’ve also been invaluable. They’ve forced me to confront the remnants of my past self and to acknowledge that I need to let go of that baggage to move forward.
So, here I am, committed to living sober, truly sober. It’s a journey that requires more than just willpower; it requires a complete overhaul of how I approach life. It’s about making smart, grounded decisions, recognizing that my actions affect not just me, but my family and our future.
Life is full of curveballs, and I’m learning to swing with everything I’ve got. This sober journey is about more than just staying clean; it’s about embracing life with clarity and purpose. And I’m ready for whatever comes next, eyes wide open, feet firmly planted. This is my story, and it’s just getting started.