To Be or Not To Be…Anonymous
When I think of anonymity I think of Alcoholics Anonymous. I don't know much about what goes on in AA meetings (probably because they're anonymous 😂) so I had to do a little research. According to the AA website, “anonymity provides protection for all members from identification as alcoholics, a safeguard often of special importance to newcomers.” Now, I don't belong to AA and I don't identify as an alcoholic but I DO believe in the importance of privacy. I also believe it's a damn shame that this COMMON ISSUE of over-consuming an addictive substance because SOCIETY TELLS US TO, has to be kept a secret. Anyway, here are a few thoughts on ANONYMITY. ⬇️
I get it, smokers anonymous + talking my walk
I get it
I talk about my sobriety very openly, but that wasn't always the case. In the beginning, I was VERY private about my sober curiosity and was scared to death of what people would think if and when I stopped drinking. It took time to get here. It started with talking to other people who had either gone through or were going through the process of giving up drinking. Then my family. And finally my friends. Once I became a sober coach my cover was completely blown 😉
Smokers anonymous
What's with the stigma? What's with the shame of it all??? In a perfect world, there'd be no need for anonymity because there'd be no stigma attached to over-consuming an addictive substance that society pushes on us to get some relief in this crazy world! Don't get me started. Ever heard of smokers anonymous? Me neither.
Talking the walk
It's important to me to be an example of what living a life without alcohol looks like. To my friends, to my family, to my children. That being said, I'm NOT the sober police and I don't believe everyone needs to stop drinking (although everyone would benefit from it 😉). I choose to be vocal about my sobriety because I want to be the woman I was looking for when I was questioning my drinking. I want to be a RESOURCE to anyone that has decided to explore this lifestyle. The more this is talked about in the real world the less shame will be attached to it.
At the end of the day, you do you. Does it feel better to keep it private? Keep it private. Is AA your safe place for community and growth? Good. Do you want to talk about it? Talk about it. Don't have anyone you feel comfortable talking about your drinking with? Talk about it with me. Reply to this email and I promise I'll answer you. Do what feels right and remember - Shame dies when stories are told in safe places (Brene Brown)
