1 year sober: Owning it!

/ Dwight Hyde

I want to tell you about a dream I had. This was when my ex and I were still married planning out our divorce. A very hard time to say the least for both of us. One night as I was sleeping next to her I had the following dream. I’d come home and walked through the door. I looked across the room and my wife(ex) was completely white and shaking. She was so scared she couldn’t even speak. She was pointing around the corner. Like something beyond frightful was hiding. For once in my life I didn’t ignore it or run away. Without thinking I ran across the room, around the corner, and looked right at the monster and SCREAMED! After that I woke up.

Prior to quitting alcohol, I had a little voice within constantly asking:

  • If not now, then when? When? When will you truly live this life?
  • Are you happy about how you’re living? Is this the human experience you believe you were intended into this universe to follow?
  • What will be the biggest regret you’ll have on your deathbed looking back over your life?
  • Have you ever given your true self a chance?

I’m now 1 year sober sitting here feeling very proud, happy, and mostly just peaceful. Much of the guilt and shame is going away and self-love is starting to finally come back. I do want to say though, from my experince quitting alcohol and leaving the comfortable numb fog takes courage and tons of internal rewiring. There will be many mental, physical, and emotional battles you will face on your path. Some you will win; others you may lose. Regardless you will grow. Staring down your dragon will take everything you got, but oh is it ever worth it. Scream if you need to but wake up! If you need help get it! You won’t be alone. Don’t wait 40 years like me. It will be the most rewarding work of your life. Hell you’ll actually get your true life back. Lean in and have faith in that voice from within. It’s your guiding system – listen to it.

I thank you all for your love, inspiration, and support this last year and offer it right back!

Dwight

From The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”

Please join me in supporting these beautiful brave souls:

Claire, Ditching the Wine
https://gettingsobernow.wordpress.com

Collette, Wine to water
http://wine2water.blog

Elizabeth, Without the wine
https://withoutthewhine.wordpress.com

GettingSoberGal, Just a gal trying to get sober
https://gettingsobergal.wordpress.com

Jackie, morrisfamily2222
https://morrisfamily2222.wordpress.com

Jim, Life beyond booze
https://formerdrinker.wordpress.com

Limetwiste, Moderately Sober
https://moderatelysober.home.blog

Lisa Marie, I love my new life!
https://ilovemynewlife.wordpress.com

Lovie Price, Wake Up!
https://theglassvidalia.home.blog

Msnewleaf, my life without alcohol
https://msnewleaf.com

Nadine, The Sobriety Tree
https://sobrietytree.com

Nelson, One Drunk’s Tale
https://onedrunkstale.wordpress.com

Celebrate YOU – Crank it up and dance in front of a mirror!
From YouTube: Sara Bareilles – Brave (Official Video)
https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4

Fill your world with silly love songs
From YouTube: Paul McCartney & Wings – Silly Love Songs
https://youtu.be/wh15LOppcWQ

Are you still reading??? Okay, last tip. Be kind to yourself and be silly! Life’s a frickin trip!!!

Okay, okay, I promise this it. Never ever over estimate a fist bump from your daughter when you tell her it’s been a year being sober and you need her to take some photos for the occasion. Priceless❤️

53 thoughts on “1 year sober: Owning it!”

  5. I have a huge grin on my face Dwight! Delighted to celebrate your one year with you with this post! Congratulations! May your continued journey be filled with wondrous miracles, joy, healing and happiness! I’m so happy for you! ♥

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  7. Seriously, love this. Congratulations, Dwight. I’m SO proud of you. Love the questions your wise little voice was asking. Love your honesty and observation that it does take courage and internal rewiring. And, love the photos and the fact that your daughter was the photographer. Your story is turning out to be amazing! 😊💕👍🏻

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  8. Well what to say. You are totally awesome Dwight. Huge congratulations to you on one year sober. That is an amazing accomplishment and your posts and your support for others has been inspiring and very touching. This post came at a perfect time for me. The photos are ace and a fist pump from your daughter .. just the best reward 😊. Xxx

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  13. Hey You! Congratulations! This is a killer post! You look so awesome and happy! I love your silly pictures your daughter took! That’s so special and she’s a great photographer! I was reading and then scrolled down to read the comments and at the bottom came up your 1 week sober post! I had to click on it and that was super cool to read week 1 and then this post! You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing here on WP and being there with support for us all! We sure do appreciate it!

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  16. Congratulations Dwight, not just on one year sober but using that time to grow as a person and offer support to others. Anyone reading your posts who is thinking “will it be worth the struggle of giving up alcohol” will see the benefits right in front of them. Of course it’s worth it, you’re testament to that. And well said about being silly and playful. Long may you continue to be silly, as shall I. Fist bump from Blighty ! 👍🏻 Jim x

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  21. Pingback: Follow-up: How I got and stay sober | Faded Jeans Living

  22. you, and a lot of the other ones listed , are totally what has made my journey better, of not easier. I think so many of us need to read and interact with others in this way for inspiration, reality checks, and pats on the back.. thank you so much Dwight and CONGRATS!!! Rock on!!

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  23. Wow, first that perfect picture, then read this lovely post, and then to see my name somewhere in it? Very much a treat. Thanks so much, beautiful Dwight. You’ve been such a very great support to me, from the very beginning, and so many others as well. And… congrats on ONE YEAR!!! That is fantastic. You look amazing!!! (Inside and out.) 🎉🙌🎂🕺🎉💖🤗

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  24. So beautiful, 1 year Recovered. Your story affected me. Such a beautiful expression of getting to know and love yourself. Our Higher Power will remove the guilt and shame as we are granted the emotional sobriety that is Steps 6 & 7. We are Powerless over our disease and therefore not responsible for yesterday-you are a miraculous example of the Power of being responsible for your recovery today. Sending you and your family love and unity ❤ #recovered 😀

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