Hi guys <3
Hope you’ve all had a wonderful summer. Needless to say by the lack of summer newsletters, we’ve been busy! But despite the chaos of summer, I’ve really felt like this community has grown closer the last few months. Z.S. said it best in our Discord:
“Can I just say that the community has been feeling so strong lately in the sense of connection & I’m just grateful to be here with all of you!”
A quick update: we’re switching from a weekly to a monthly newsletter. I hope you enjoy the September edition below!
— Steph
P.S. If you’ve been debating coming to a meeting... this is your sign! September/fall reset is the perfect time to jump back in 😌
If you’re new, check out our intro to Steady Sunday here!
💻 This Month’s Meetings
You can always find our full monthly meeting calendar here!
Tuesdays — 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT / 8:30-9:30 p.m. ET
Thursdays — 5:30-6:30 p.m. PT / 8:30-9:30 p.m. ET
Sundays — 10-11 a.m. PT / 1-2 p.m. ET
Zoom meeting links are sent in our Discord chat:
✨ Recent Meeting Notes
Getting out of a negative mindset pattern can be difficult. It’s easy to get frustrated with ourselves when we feel stuck there, but it’s important to let yourself feel angry, sad, or disappointed about the parts of your life that aren’t going the way you hoped, especially when they’re out of your control. You don’t need to force yourself to practice gratitude when you’re just not up for it. Give yourself permission to feel your true emotions, but try not to stay there for too long. When you’re ready, gently reframe your mindset by noticing the good that still exists in your life. It might be a good friend, sunshine, a pet, or something that makes you laugh. Even on the hardest days, there is almost always something worth holding onto <3
One of the hardest parts of substance abuse can be feeling completely alone in your experience, especially when you’re around people who’ve never struggled with substance abuse themselves (or watched someone close to them go through it). But it also makes finding people who do understand all the more meaningful. It’s so refreshing to get to know others who have also made mistakes, faced similar hardships, and inspires you with their strength and growth. The best part is— You’ll come to realize that the same compassion, patience, and encouragement you give to them is something you also deserve!
When you were drinking, did fun always mean chaos for you? The exciting part about sobriety is that you can still have fun, just without the chaotic aftermath. You’re building a foundation solid enough that the fun actually feels like fun, and you can still wake up the next day without it knocking you off track.
There’s a shift some of us have felt in sobriety where we’ve become the “lunch” or “catch up” friend instead of the one people call to just hang out. Some people will put you in a box once you stop drinking, because they feel like they can’t do certain things with you anymore. That’s on them, not you. Your role in people’s lives may change, but you don’t have to accept the box as who you are. And the exciting part is there still so many people you haven’t met yet who’ll naturally fit your new lifestyle!
Food for thought: “Drinking makes every experience feel the same, whereas sobriety allows you to experience each moment for what it truly is.”
To those who’s battle with substances began or worsened in college: Grieving the college experience you didn’t get to have because of drinking is real. So is not being close with many people from that time because…you were going through it and didn’t have the ability to genuinely connect with others. If you’re lucky enough to have solid friendships with people who knew you before all that (or in spite of that), that is so special. The people who’ve known you through every version of yourself are the ones built on something real. And if you don’t, there are still so many people out there you haven’t met yet! The connections you’re meant to have are still ahead of you <3
🏆 Recent Wins
S. hit 90 days!!!
S.M. got married and was sober for it all!! Congrats 👰♀️
C.K. had a rough day at work and felt the pull to drink and numb it out, but didn’t. Here’s what they shared in our Discord: “The moral of this story I’m telling is that even when you perceive a failure, whether it’s as bad as you suspect or not, you still deserve to be able to put your best foot forward. I’m grateful I didn’t drink because I was able to continue to give every ounce of effort I have today.”
✍️ Misc.
The Recovering: Intoxication and Its Aftermath by Leslie Jamison - “10000% recommend” by someone in this group <3 (can’t remember who but thank you!)
laurenissober — Annie’s fav sober TikToker!
Five journal prompts to welcome fall by @noparticularorder 🍂
Always cheering you on,
-Steph & Annie
P.S. Have ideas for anything you’d like to see in this newsletter? Comment on this post or reply to this email!