RE 297: We Can Be Brave

Today we have Megan. She took her last drink April 20, 2020. With 108 days away from alcohol, (at the time of recording) this is her story of living alcohol free (AF). Today's Sponsor: Café RE Odette's weekly installment of: Finding the Better You….. Armchair Expert: Day 7 Odette discusses Dax Shepard and the recent restarting of his sobriety clock. She appreciates how he is always seeking a life build in honesty and finding moment of gratefulness. What connects all of us is a feeling. What connects us all is finding our way through this book of recovery. Different chapters and experiences but all rooted in the same goal. We are not alone. Keep protecting your energy. [10:26] Odette introduces Megan. Megan lives in Montreal, Canada and is 33 years old. She lives with her partner Tim. She is a cook at a vegan restaurant. For fun she paints and draws and loves animal portraits. [17:29] Can you give listeners some background on your drinking? Megan said she drank a few times drinking growing up. Her parents both drank in the home and it was very normal. She got drunk for the first time when she was 17 or 18. It allowed her to breakout of her shell and be social. Moving to Montreal it became even more "normal". It is very much a part of the culture. It changed from being out and drinking, to drinking at home, to drinking at home alone. She began combining anxiety medication with alcohol and would black out. Megan questioned her drinking in her mid 20s due to so many different events. In March of 2020 she had all the alcohol that was meant for her wedding and in 30 days' time drank all it. It was meant to be for 80 people. [28:43] What happened in April of this year that made you stop drinking? Megan said it was because she ran out of alcohol. She paused and realized she had drank about $800 worth of alcohol. Megan found herself filled with shame and she realized that the way she drank it would never be enough until she was dead. [34:08] Tell me about the first few weeks after you stopped. Megan said it's a little hard to remember the time right after she quit. She remembers being exuberant in finding others and creating connections. Her sleep was a little off but she was also riding the pink cloud. As time went on, she wanted to get off anti-depressants. Now she's starting to find an equilibrium. She can finally think properly. [39:33] Tell me more about your new job and being sober. Megan said she mentioned in the cover letter and again in the job interview that she is in recovery. She positioned it as an asset! They are really respectful of her being sober from alcohol. [44:25] Tell me about your relationship with your partner now. Megan said her partner already started out as a wicked person. He was concerned for her but also understood that the desire to stop drinking had to come from her. He's really proud of her and expresses that to her. [46:36] Rapid Fire Round If you could talk to day 1 Megan what would you say? You are going to flourish! What is a lightbulb moment you've had in this journey? That I am capable, and I am worth a lot. Stop telling myself bullshit. What's your favorite AF beverage? Coffee! Coffee with oat milk, iced coffee, black coffee. What parting piece of guidance can you give listeners that are thinking about ditching the booze? Just take it day by day but remember to believe in yourself. You are capable and strong and you will keep amazing yourself. You may have to say adios to booze... If you drank all your wedding booze in one month that was intended for 80 people. Odette's challenge this week: Everyone is fighting their own battle and try not to judge anyone else. We need kindness and love, more than ever. Affiliate Link for Amazon: Shop via Amazon using this link. The book, Alcohol is SH!T, is out. Pick up your paperback copy on Amazon here! You can get the Audible version here! Resources: Recovery Elevator YouTube - Subscribe here! Sobriety Tracker iTunes Sobriety Tracker Android Sober Selfies! - Send your Sober Selfie and your Success Story to [email protected] "Recovery Elevator – "Stay humble and stay smiling – I love you guys"