In high school, I didn’t fit into any clique. I felt ‘less than’ because I had no Guess jeans, no homecoming court, no dreamy prom date, no cool car. I felt most like myself when I was alone in my room crying and listening to sappy music. Then, I met alcohol— my “true love,” and I built my life around it, year after year.

At first, I surrounded myself with others who drank like me, but over time, I drank more than everyone else—but it didn’t matter anymore. If everyone passed out, I’d stay up and finish what was left. I didn’t need anyone to drink. I lost myself, replacing self-love with ridiculously hurtful relationships, thinking someone else’s affection could make me happy.

When I finally stopped drinking, I thought I’d lose myself entirely and never have fun again. But instead, I discovered something incredible: the real me. I actually love being me. Sobriety became the path back to the person I always wanted to be.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts and YouTube.
Visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

#SelfLoveJourney #SobrietyIsFreedom #RecoveryStory #FindingMyself #HealingThroughSobriety #LoveYourselfFirst #OvercomingAddiction #EmbracingAuthenticity #PathToSelfDiscovery #MentalHealthAwareness