Picking a Lane

Here's the deal. You are where you are and you can't force yourself to be where you're not. That being said, things got SO. MUCH. EASIER. for me when I picked a lane with my drinking.

Straddling, stay in your lane + adopt your highway

• Straddling

Not picking a lane is not sustainable. Driving on the double yellow line for too long will get you hurt.

 I spent a lot of time straddling that double yellow line…idealizing a sober life but not wanting to leave the drinking lane. It's painful and, looking back, I wish I had just taken the leap into the non-drinking lane sooner.

 One way to propel yourself into the non-drinking lane is to find a way to be around sober people. Spending time with people who don't drink will alleviate some of the fear of a sober lifestyle and give you living proof that good stuff is on the horizon!

• Stay in your lane

When you've picked the non-drinking lane, stay. Even if you hit a few potholes. Even if you get lost for a while and have to start your journey over.  Stay in your lane. If you can do this, you'll eventually get to your destination. 

• Adopt your highway

Why not enjoy the ride? Why does quitting drinking have to be all about deprivation and doom and gloom? It doesn't.

 Adopt your own highway and clean it up. Make it pretty. Treat yourself. Pack snacks. Travel with other cool sober people who'll make the trip more fun. 

 Think leaf peeping on a country road in New England vs. taking the Cross Bronx Expressway at rush hour. 

That concludes the highway metaphors, thank God. Sorry.

What I'm trying to say is that if you have recurring thoughts that your drinking is a problem or that life would be better without alcohol, the sooner you pick a lane the better. 

 Listen to those thoughts, find some sober people to talk to, and take the leap.