It’s been four weeks since I set out to cut back on drinking and binge watching TV. And honestly, I’m both shocked and proud of how well I’ve done.
I’ve gone from a glass, or four, seven nights a week, to one or two glasses a couple of of nights on weekends. If my math is correct my average went from say 24 smashes to 5 alcoholic beverages a week. That’s pretty friggin’ good in my books. AND, I have hardly sat in front of the TV these last two weeks too, and when I did, I honestly couldn’t find anything to watch.
Aside from the fact that I’m not ‘feeling a buzz’, or drunk every night, I feel SOOOOO much better. My belly bloat is almost completely gone, my mornings are that much easier to wake up to, I’m less exhausted throughout the day, I have way more patience for my people and my community, I’m less moody and anxious and overwhelmed, and I’m simply feeling happier.
I’m not proud of the fact that I’m ‘weaning’ myself off the bottle, but I am proud of the progress I’ve made. As a Yoga Teacher, many only see me on the mat in front of the room and assume that my life outside of the Yoga space is as peaceful and healing as it is in that sacred setting. But the truth is, I’ve been struggling. Struggling with self-depreciating thoughts and actions my whole life and things started spiralling out control after a cancer diagnosis nearly 10 years ago. Turning to the drink was a way to numb the news and avoid deal with what I was both afraid to face and in utter denial of.
No, I’m not perfect, and more than once Piquette Zero has been a satisfying replacement for those times when I’ve wanted, and thought I needed, a drink. But the fact of the matter is, what I was consuming was WAY too much alcohol and certainly was not healthy by any stretch. This process has been humbling, challenging yet rewarding. And this sober curiosity is just the beginning.
I’m no expert on anything, I’ve never claimed to be. But Yoga and Ayurveda have, and continue to, save my life. They have helped me learn to watch for my feelings, acknowledge and show compassion for my struggles and coping mechanisms, and slowly yet willingly make progress for lasting change so that I might experience joy and fulfillment from the inside out.
I truly believe that my job, here on the earth, is to share from my heart what I have learned and how I have grown and in some small way inspire others to do the same.
Yours truly,
Michelle
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