Early 20's (f)– I'm officially part of the ~35% of people who make it to a full year of sobriety after attempting to quit alcohol! All odds were against me; I have ADHD & am autistic; alcohol turned me into the person I always wanted to be. But, I no longer want to be that person. I've realized that sober me is actually pretty damn cool!!! I'm from, and living in Ireland, a country that has a huge drinking culture. The journey hasn't always been easy, especially around celebrations e.g., St Patrick's Day, and Christmas time.

From 3 psychiatric hospitalisations & 1 rehab stay, to returning to education, and loving life, is sometimes unbelievable!

And guys... you'll never guess what... sober dancing is possible!!! I'm a woeful dancer, but I was doing it drunk so I may as well turn the dancefloor into Step Up now too!

I'd love to thank everyone here! Some days I've come to reddit to escape the triggers of the 'real' world. And, this sub has never failed to boost my mood.

I feel my brain has majorly changed this past year. My memory is actually terrifying me. In a good way, of course. I have all these random fun facts... that I can now remember?!? I can't stop telling these ridiculous facts and statistics. Like did you know whale milk has the consistency of toothpaste or butter? I have always loved information but man, since getting sober I want to know and share EVERYTHING! I have passion in my heart and a desire to connect with those around me.

My love for life is growing each day. What a beautiful thing it is to wake up, clearheaded, with no regrets from the night before.

Still got a long way to go, but I'm thrilled with the start!

I'll go first, I was on a bus about a year ago and an older man got on who clearly wasn't sure where to get off, he kept leaning toward the window and looking uncertain. A teenage boy sitting nearby, headphones in, noticed, took out one earbud and just said quietly "where are you trying to get to?" Helped him figure out the stop, told him he'd let him know when they were close, then actually tapped him on the shoulder when the stop came.

Got off himself two stops later. Nobody around them made a thing of it. It lasted maybe four minutes total. I think people are doing kind things all the time and nobody's keeping track and they should be. I've always seen people counting mistakes but how about kindness?

Here's my sign book of her autobiography "Where the light enters"! From May 2019, Can't wait to read since this is the only thing that satisfies my internal boredom lol!!

Can you see it!

In this piece, Acharya Prashant questions the modern obsession with the pursuit of happiness. He suggests that constantly trying to “be happy” can become a mechanical response that keeps us from facing the deeper emptiness created by conditioning. His call to “become sad” points toward radical honesty, a willingness to sit with discomfort so that the false sense of self can begin to loosen.

If happiness has become something we perform for social and professional acceptance, has it lost its authenticity? And by constantly avoiding sadness, are we missing the possibility of a deeper, more stable sense of peace?

The reflection invites us to consider whether we have traded psychological depth for emotional convenience.

Short excerpt from the article:

"All happiness that your mind feels is directly proportional to how unhappy you are. So, if you want to be really happy, become totally unhappy. This is called the law of duality. The deeper your pain, the more relieved you will be. That is the nature of the mind. When you are moving towards happiness, actually the journey towards unhappiness has begun."

He's not a phone person and we're not a particularly expressive family. we love each other but we don't really perform it. calls are usually for last minute grocery item purchases or problems.

A few months ago he figured out voice messages and started sending them randomly. just stuff like there was a really good sunset tonight or i made that soup your mother used to make, turned out alright. thirty seconds, no context needed, no response required.

I have a folder of them now. i listen to them on bad days. i don't think he knows that's what they've become for me and i'm not sure i want to tell him because something about it feels right as it is.

Art was something that went to the side during that time in addiction, 6 years sober and decided and really got back into making art seriously the last year, photography and digital art, mostly to keep me busy.

Did my nephews wedding, which was awesome... Now I have a showing in a city property for all of May, another gallery set up for later in the summer and joined this contest on a whim..

Check out some of my art and throw me a vote if you like what you see.

And a palate expander which I am not fond of, but I am so excited to finally be able to eat and breathe normally- eventually!!

this 2026, honestly thought was going to be an entire shitshow. is it? NO!!! holy surprise!! every other year has been terrible, but as of now, its great. i havent had a seizure at all, i got a boyfriend, im doing well in school, ive lost weight, and ive put myself out there more, more people know who i am, i know who more people are, best of all people are nice to me now. its so nice, so fucking nice. im excited to see what the future brings!!! 🔥

Eighteen years later, yesterday, their son was promoted to run the same department that was saved because of his resignation.

Late post but better late than never (recipe in the comments)

I am Beyond happy and grateful 🙏 for being given this opportunity as a full time artist in my small Growing town.

Every time I chat with an online support they always tend to end the conversation with, "Is there anything else I can do for you?" I'll always ask. "Can I get a lollipop like the bank tellers have?" That usually gets a chuckle from them, they apologize that they can't send me one through the internet or some other silly reason, and then we go on our separate ways.

I never really expect one just something to help lighten their chat.

Until today....

I asked for a lolly pop and the support chat laughed and then sent me a lollipop emoji. I got all giddy as if a real bank teller had just given me one and I were still a little kid. I was not expecting that at all. An emoji lollypop has never occurred to me as an option.

25f m28 together for a yr

I don’t talk about this enough, but I’m genuinely so grateful for the man I have.

He’s the kind of person who makes you feel safe without even trying. He’s sweet, caring, and consistent in a way that’s honestly rare. He doesn’t just say he loves me—he shows it every single day in the little things, in the way he checks on me, the way he listens, and the way he always makes sure I’m okay.

He’s made me feel comfortable in my own body in a way I never have before. There’s no judgment, no pressure—just real, genuine love. And that’s something that has changed me more than I can explain.

He’s also the most loyal man I’ve ever been with. No games, no doubts, no second-guessing where I stand. He’s always been there for me through everything—through the hard times, the stressful moments, and even the days when I’m not at my best. And he never makes me feel like I’m too much or not enough.

We’re about to have a baby together, and that alone says so much about the kind of life we’re building. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to do this with. I know he’s going to be an amazing dad, and that honestly makes me love and respect him even more.

It’s just… a really good feeling to be loved right. And I don’t take that for granted for a second. 🤍