From personal experience ~ it is a real Paradox ~ you can't sober up until you wake up, and you can't wake up, until you sober up . . . . CONGRADULATIONS, you have accomplished the impossible . . . . i am not SORRY for 'any' of my life experiences either ~ if not for them i would not be who i am today ~ i like myself now and enjoy living One-Day-At-A-Time ~ in fact i have taken it to living in the 'Eternal Moment' as that is ALL there is~ everything outside of this present moment is either past of future . . . . both do not exist ~ they are just concepts we use to measure out our lives. . . .
Namaste Belinda ~ my journey out of the darkness began in 84 and took me until 88 to 'Get It' and have never looked back . . . . the WHOLE story is here IF your curiosity is peeked . . . . ?
Yes girl!!!! 💫❤️ I feel the same. What keeps me grounded is how far I’ve come and what keeps me moving forward is the fact that I refuse to take a step back. You are golden 💫🌟 😍
THIS. IS. EPIC becauseee you learned how to show up for you. No one gave you any handouts and no one told you what time to be at your meeting or whatever. You did this! What you are doing isn’t for the faint hearted. I’m super happy for you and I love how deep you are rooted in “screw the shame and all the maybes you could act on but don’t!” Congrats!!!!!! Take a bow!!!! 👑
You get it, all the way down. I swear, learning to show up for yourself is the hardest damn part—no applause, no safety net, just a promise to yourself that you’ll try again tomorrow. And you’re right, shame can go kick rocks. The only thing that’s ever moved me forward is silencing that voice in my head that says I don’t belong.
Your words hype me up and remind me why it matters to keep saying this stuff out loud. Thank you for seeing me. And for showing up as honestly as you do—it's way rarer than people admit.
If you ever want to swap stories, vent, or just keep this fire going, you know where to find me. I’m in your corner for the long haul.
This refuses the idea that shame is a prerequisite for change. It separates behavior from worth without minimizing the damage, and that distinction matters more than people admit. Recovery here is framed as responsibility without self-erasure, which is rare and necessary.
The emphasis on next decisions instead of permanent identity feels honest. Not redemption, not absolution, just movement. That framing gives people room to keep going instead of collapsing under who they used to be.
Hi Belle, It's good to know about you. I'm here to read your part.. although I've no experience in providing comfort to these things.. but I'll try to be present in your space, don't feel you're not seen, my eyes n ears will be here, I've subscribed you for more stories. You're always welcome to get comfort with people here, everyone is so supportive. I know you're strong enough to carry past and will embrace a bright future. I wish you a joyful journey ahead. Hoping to be connected in future too. Lots of love and strength to you.🩵🩵🩵
I love when people write raw. It takes courage to say it the way you did. Shame can steal your soul under a terrible bargain — “I deserve no better.” But there is no shame in falling, or in healing after. Letting go of shame is choosing yourself again and again. Stay proud.
"Fuck that shame, right in the ear" I actually laughed! Thank you. I don't know what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed the lightness of the writing. It's not easy to make a serious topic funny and personal. Really appreciate you
I actually don't know anyone with these types of addiction and have not had them personally, but I do know that I care about humans and our human experience. And so I'm subbed, and here to follow you on your journey, maybe lend a hand or listening ear when needed, and mostly hold space for your life experience.
All of it.
The good, the bad , and the ugly.
As you said - you deserve love, support, and a good night's sleep. We all do. ✨🥰🙏
So nice to meet you, Belinda! This is a beautiful and raw piece that hits hard with love and truth. I am so proud of you. You are beautiful and strong, choosing life, love, and real joy. You are not alone. I seen it too myself in my friends. But choice is always in front of us, isn't it?
Of course I'll subscribe. What you are doing here is important. Much love and respect to you. :)
Great paragraph! "Recovery isn't about being perfect. It's about being a little less of a disaster today than you were yesterday. It's about taking your meds, going to your meetings, eating a vegetable every once in a while. Baby steps, folks."
Fuck shame right in the ear! YES. I love this. Thank you for finding me and thank you for leaving this year. I just subscribed, can't wait to read more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read! I am so happy you connected! Yay! I have a lot on there (posts) and way more to come!!! Give me a shout out sometime! I am still working full time in outpatient SUDS and doing some virtual work on the side contracting. This Blog is my passion and favorite project! I subscribed back!
From personal experience ~ it is a real Paradox ~ you can't sober up until you wake up, and you can't wake up, until you sober up . . . . CONGRADULATIONS, you have accomplished the impossible . . . . i am not SORRY for 'any' of my life experiences either ~ if not for them i would not be who i am today ~ i like myself now and enjoy living One-Day-At-A-Time ~ in fact i have taken it to living in the 'Eternal Moment' as that is ALL there is~ everything outside of this present moment is either past of future . . . . both do not exist ~ they are just concepts we use to measure out our lives. . . .
Namaste Belinda ~ my journey out of the darkness began in 84 and took me until 88 to 'Get It' and have never looked back . . . . the WHOLE story is here IF your curiosity is peeked . . . . ?
https://tjames51.substack.com/p/the-journey-part-1
Thank you so much for writing this!
Yes girl!!!! 💫❤️ I feel the same. What keeps me grounded is how far I’ve come and what keeps me moving forward is the fact that I refuse to take a step back. You are golden 💫🌟 😍
THIS. IS. EPIC becauseee you learned how to show up for you. No one gave you any handouts and no one told you what time to be at your meeting or whatever. You did this! What you are doing isn’t for the faint hearted. I’m super happy for you and I love how deep you are rooted in “screw the shame and all the maybes you could act on but don’t!” Congrats!!!!!! Take a bow!!!! 👑
You get it, all the way down. I swear, learning to show up for yourself is the hardest damn part—no applause, no safety net, just a promise to yourself that you’ll try again tomorrow. And you’re right, shame can go kick rocks. The only thing that’s ever moved me forward is silencing that voice in my head that says I don’t belong.
Your words hype me up and remind me why it matters to keep saying this stuff out loud. Thank you for seeing me. And for showing up as honestly as you do—it's way rarer than people admit.
If you ever want to swap stories, vent, or just keep this fire going, you know where to find me. I’m in your corner for the long haul.
Take care of you—seriously.
– Belle
Thank you so much!
No handouts. No help. No nothing. I figured it out alone. Like I do everything. You are amazing yourself. 100.
This is exceptionally spunky and resilient. Very bold.
Thank you so much!!
This refuses the idea that shame is a prerequisite for change. It separates behavior from worth without minimizing the damage, and that distinction matters more than people admit. Recovery here is framed as responsibility without self-erasure, which is rare and necessary.
The emphasis on next decisions instead of permanent identity feels honest. Not redemption, not absolution, just movement. That framing gives people room to keep going instead of collapsing under who they used to be.
Hi Belle, It's good to know about you. I'm here to read your part.. although I've no experience in providing comfort to these things.. but I'll try to be present in your space, don't feel you're not seen, my eyes n ears will be here, I've subscribed you for more stories. You're always welcome to get comfort with people here, everyone is so supportive. I know you're strong enough to carry past and will embrace a bright future. I wish you a joyful journey ahead. Hoping to be connected in future too. Lots of love and strength to you.🩵🩵🩵
Wow. Beautifully written, I can’t commend your honesty and power enough. You’re an inspiration🙏🏻🩷
I love when people write raw. It takes courage to say it the way you did. Shame can steal your soul under a terrible bargain — “I deserve no better.” But there is no shame in falling, or in healing after. Letting go of shame is choosing yourself again and again. Stay proud.
"Fuck that shame, right in the ear" I actually laughed! Thank you. I don't know what I was expecting, but I really enjoyed the lightness of the writing. It's not easy to make a serious topic funny and personal. Really appreciate you
Thank you so much for reading!
Very well written
Hi Belle, thanks for your vulnerable intro.
I actually don't know anyone with these types of addiction and have not had them personally, but I do know that I care about humans and our human experience. And so I'm subbed, and here to follow you on your journey, maybe lend a hand or listening ear when needed, and mostly hold space for your life experience.
All of it.
The good, the bad , and the ugly.
As you said - you deserve love, support, and a good night's sleep. We all do. ✨🥰🙏
So nice to meet you, Belinda! This is a beautiful and raw piece that hits hard with love and truth. I am so proud of you. You are beautiful and strong, choosing life, love, and real joy. You are not alone. I seen it too myself in my friends. But choice is always in front of us, isn't it?
Of course I'll subscribe. What you are doing here is important. Much love and respect to you. :)
This really hit me. Shame doesn’t define us; our courage to keep moving forward does. Thank you for reminding us that we’re survivors, not our past.
Great paragraph! "Recovery isn't about being perfect. It's about being a little less of a disaster today than you were yesterday. It's about taking your meds, going to your meetings, eating a vegetable every once in a while. Baby steps, folks."
Love this - pure, raw/uncensored truth right from the heart. Congratulations to your sobriety! 🫶🏼
I'm an addict, going on 40 years, opiates are my everything, I know I will be an addict until my End, by it I'm at peace with it
Fuck shame right in the ear! YES. I love this. Thank you for finding me and thank you for leaving this year. I just subscribed, can't wait to read more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read! I am so happy you connected! Yay! I have a lot on there (posts) and way more to come!!! Give me a shout out sometime! I am still working full time in outpatient SUDS and doing some virtual work on the side contracting. This Blog is my passion and favorite project! I subscribed back!
Well, your life is definitely full. I am in part-time private practice myself, also writing as a passion project. So glad we have connected.