Yasmin Recovery Coach

There’s never going to be a “perfect day” to choose sobriety. Your brain will always find ways to bargain, convincing you to wait: “I’ll get sober after summer,” “after my birthday,” or “after I get promoted.” The truth is, the right time doesn’t exist—it’s something you create by making the choice. 

This decision feels even harder during the festive season, with its pressure to join in celebratory drinking. It’s easy to feel like you’re swimming upstream in a culture that glorifies indulgence. But if you’re waiting for the stars to align, you might wait forever. 

For me, acceptance of change was the key for me to maintain my sobriety. Recovery is about embracing life’s shifts, and for me, that started with accepting a hard truth: I couldn’t drink like a “normal” drinker. One drink was never enough, and neither was two bottles of wine. I had no off switch, no clear limit. 

It wasn’t easy to face this. I hit what I thought was rock bottom—and then a few aftershocks that dragged me even lower. Each time, the pain deepened until I could no longer ignore it. Eventually, I reached a point where I could no longer justify hurting myself mentally, emotionally, or physically. That’s when I finally accepted that I needed help and that something had to change. 

Choosing sobriety isn’t about finding the “right time”; it’s about choosing yourself. It’s about stepping into the unknown with courage, even when it feels uncomfortable. And while the holidays might seem like the toughest time to start, they can also be a season of renewal—a chance to embrace change and begin a new chapter. 

1. Recognizing the Need for Change 

The first step in sobriety involved me acknowledging that life as it was no longer sustainable. This requires letting go of denial and embracing the reality that change is necessary. 

2. Understanding the Nature of Change 

Change can often feel overwhelming but accepting it as an inevitable part of life can be transformative. In sobriety, acceptance means recognizing that certain behaviours, environments, and even relationships may no longer align with your well-being. 

For me, this meant letting go of friendships that no longer served me. Some reminded me of my old patterns and, at times, triggered the urge to revert to them. Even now, I avoid environments with heavy drinking because they make me uncomfortable. But what I’ve come to cherish is the power of choice—today, I decide how and with who I spend my time and energy. 

Sobriety isn’t just about giving things up; it’s about creating space for healthier, more fulfilling connections and experiences. Embracing this change has been a profound gift in my journey. 

3. Developing Flexibility 

Sobriety often brings about new routines and ways of thinking. Developing the ability to adapt to these changes, while understanding that setbacks may happen, is crucial. Flexibility allows you to remain open to growth and healing. 

4. Grieving Loss 

With change comes the loss of old habits, coping mechanisms, and sometimes, social circles. Accepting these losses and allowing yourself to grieve can be an important part of moving forward in sobriety. I think I grieved the most in my second year as I finally accepted fully that my life was never going to go back to what it was, and I had to let go of my old identity fully and some of the masks I was holding on to so hard.  

5. Building a New Identity 

Sobriety involves creating a new sense of self—one that isn’t centred around substances. This requires accepting changes in your identity, focusing on healthier choices, and finding meaning and purpose outside of addiction. Helping others has been a life changer for me and has given me a sense of purpose again. Something I lost years ago when alcohol became my focus.  

6. Focusing on Personal Growth 

Embracing change as an opportunity for personal growth can shift the perspective from fear of change to a more positive outlook. Each change in sobriety brings a chance to improve emotional resilience, mental clarity, and overall well-being. 

7. Support Networks 

Change can be difficult to accept alone. Relying on support systems like therapy, support groups, friends, and family can help ease the transition and provide reassurance that you’re not going through it by yourself.  I could not have done this without my incredible support network of family, friends, my therapist and sober community.

8. Mindfulness and Self-Compassion 

Practicing mindfulness can help you stay present and grounded in the face of change. Self-compassion is equally important, as it allows you to be kind to yourself when the process of change feels challenging. 

Accepting change is a continual process in sobriety, but with patience and support, it becomes a pathway to a healthier, more fulfilling life.  Acceptance is the first step to living a sober life. It’s about acknowledging reality as it is—our past, our emotions, and our circumstances—without judgment or resistance. This mindset helps create space for growth, healing, and peace in recovery. 

By accepting yourself and embracing life as it is today, you gain the clarity to make healthier choices and find strength in sobriety. It’s empowering, healing and at times messy but it’s also the best gift you can give to yourself.

If you are struggling or need some extra support, message me today!

We can recover together.