Yasmin Recovery Coach

There was a time in my life when weekends meant one thing: parties. I was always chasing the next drink, the next party, I never wanted the fun to end. I loved to party, and I loved the highs and the chaos that came with it all. I always had a fun, crazy drunk story!  Looking back, I was always the instigator, the one buying the rounds of shots, never wanting to drink alone. But then I started to drink alone in pubs and bars because I could not sit at home and just be at peace. I wanted to run away from my thoughts and numb my emotions.  

When lockdown hit and everything shut down, my drinking escalated. I was living alone and Zoom calls; my walks and drinking were all that I could manage. It felt like a cycle I could not break. I was put on furlough and so wasn’t working. I then I found a job, but my drinking just got worse, and I started drinking on the job at home, in the mornings, on my lunch breaks. I could not stop. I think I was in a permanent state of being drunk for eight months solid until I reached my rock bottom and had enough. I know I needed to stop and to get help.  

When I stopped drinking, my life slowed down, I started to pause before reacting and let things go. But it took a while to break the habit of being addicted to the drama. To find calmness and most of all to find peace within. When I came into recovery, myself worth and confidence were at its all-time low.  I believed I was the only one suffering, I had the victim mentality that everyone else has their shit together and nobody knows how I am feeling. Pour me, pour me another drink is what I would do and wonder why every day I feel low, helpless and depressed.  

I knew when I got sober, I would be changing my life and it was filled with uncertainty and a sense of loss. However, I was determined to find a new path. I started by exploring activities that did not involve alcohol or late nights. This led me to nature, a realm I had long neglected. 

This is where I found a profound sense of peace that I had never felt before. Unlike the fleeting highs of partying, this was a lasting serenity that stayed with me long after the sun had set. I found myself reconnecting with nature in various ways.   

I also began practicing mindfulness and meditation, using these moments to reflect and grow. The natural world offered a sense of grounding that had been missing from my life. 

Transitioning to a sober lifestyle requires support. And so, I found like-minded individuals through online communities, local sober meetups, and new friendship provided the encouragement I needed. These connections were authentic and deep, far removed from the superficial bonds of the party scene. 

Looking back, the decision to trade parties for sunsets was the best choice I ever made. The fulfilment I find in nature far surpasses the temporary thrills of nightlife. My mental and physical health have improved, and I feel more connected to myself and the world around me.  

My journey from parties to sunsets is a testament to the power of change and the beauty of finding one’s true path. It’s about letting go of what no longer serves you and embracing what brings you genuine joy and peace.  

Recovery has taught me that we are all just doing the best that we can and that we all have stuff going on. I started to see people as humans and have empathy for all. I began to realise I had it better than most and that I wanted to give back and help others. I have a choice and freedom today and I am not shackled to my addiction. It doesn’t mean, that I am cured. I just have the tools today to help me process feelings, deal with people and places so that I don’t carry resentments and that my first reaction is not to pick up a drink.  

For anyone feeling trapped in a cycle of partying and drinking, I encourage you to look to the horizon. There, you might just find the tranquillity and fulfilment you’ve been seeking. 

We can recover together.  ❤️✨🧿 

Yasmin Hilmi Recovery Coach Professional   

Yasminrecoverycoaching.com