I Like Myself Sober

I got sober because I was tired of waking up in panic mode, tired of the apologies I couldn’t remember giving, and honestly—tired of hating myself a little more every morning.

At first, sobriety felt like punishment. Like sitting out of life while everyone else kept dancing. I’d stare at other people laughing over drinks and remember when I used to laugh or if I just finally stopped numbing what they were still avoiding.

But slowly, things shifted. I stopped panicking over what I said the night before, I started keeping promises to myself, small ones like drinking water, calling my mom back, going places without a denying it was my hangover the reason for missing out.

I didn’t become some sparkly clean version of myself. Yet I did become someone I recognized and someone I like and don’t have to hide from.

Good Person, Alexis.