December - Sobriety Gifts

The final post in a year-long series of self-care posts by @suek, first published in 2023. Sobriety Gifts by @suek

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It was this time a year ago that I committed to writing these self-care posts. I was excited about having a monthly writing project. I was excited to mine my own self-care practices and share them with all of you on the sober path. And here we are: month 12 of a one-year series. I’ve covered many topics, all somehow tied into sobriety.

For December, it felt kind of obligatory to write about how to take care of ourselves during the silly season. How to navigate the boozy parties, office shenanigans, family get-togethers, pressure to spend too much, eat too much, go out too much and generally wear ourselves out. Why? Because it’s December! Obviously. This is how things roll for so many of us.

But holiday season self-care has been covered so well here on Living Sober over the years. I don’t think I have any new advice to add.

So I decided to switch things around, and not ask “How can I get through the silly season sober?” Instead, ask, “What gifts does sobriety give me so I can face the silly season with confidence, control, grace and patience?”

I found that sobriety really truly is the gift-to-self that keeps on giving. Here, in no particular order, are the gifts I have received from sobriety in the past 11 years. In December 2012, when I was facing Christmas in New Zealand with less than 3 months of sobriety under my belt, this list was much shorter. It was a very wobbly time. But each year, new gifts are added to the pile. Sobriety is generous. Sobriety is resourceful and abundant.

Sobriety gives me better sleep.
Sobriety gives me less physical stress on my body.
Sobriety gives me a chance to make better eating choices.
Sobriety gives me awareness of my own needs.
Sobriety gives me the discipline to stick to my routines.
Sobriety gives me the confidence to say no thank you to events I do not want to attend.
Sobriety gives me spare time to exercise and meditate.
Sobriety gives me more money to spend on things I love and are healthy.
Sobriety gives me the ability to be alert and conscious with other people.
Sobriety gives me more productivity.
Sobriety gives me more creativity.
Sobriety gives me more patience. (Most of the time!)
Sobriety gives me smarter decision-making.
Sobriety gives me more happiness and more contentment.
Sobriety gives me feelings of pride rather than remorse.
Sobriety gives me a chance to relax in healthy ways.
Sobriety gives me the gift of never losing my keys and wallet any more. (That’s gold for me!)
Sobriety gives me peace, love, comfort and joy. Fancy that!

Thank you all for reading along with me this year, and thank you especially to those of you who commented and shared your self-care tips. I’m super grateful for you all.

I wish you all peace, love, comfort and joy. And all the gifts of sobriety your heart desires.