My Sober Lockdown: Rebecca

This is a new series of ‘Sober Lockdown Stories’ featuring people with any length of sobriety sharing how they’re keeping themselves well during the global pandemic crisis.

Today’s sober hero is Rebecca who lives in Christchurch.

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Mrs D: How are you feeling about what’s going on with this Covid-19 virus?

Rebecca: A little bit anxious as it is outside our control. However we are all doing and feeling the same with the uncertainty.

Mrs D: How have your emotions shifted and changed since the crisis began?

Rebecca: I have realised how self reliant and resilient I actually have become since the Christchurch earthquakes.

Mrs D: How long have you been sober for?

Rebecca: Nearly a year.

Mrs D: How is being sober helping you at this crazy time?

Rebecca: Now ‘I’ am in control. My anxiety and loneliness don’t rely on a suppression order from Mr Pinot. I wake up refreshed, clear headed and want to make the most of the leisure time at my disposal. Do I feel self-righteous? Heck yeah! I have it within my strong will and desire for a healthy life, a conscious choice I made nearly a year ago.

Mrs D: Have you had any pangs to drink since the lockdown began?

Rebecca: Not really. Need to have my head straight to support older family and friends going through major life events. When it was announced we had 48 hours until lockdown, the ‘old me’ would have wondered how many bottles of Pinot Noir and Merlot I would have needed to stock-pile to ‘get me through.’

Mrs D: Any particular self-care actions that are helping you in these gritty times?

Rebecca: Other than my affectionate golden doodle dog, I am solo in my bubble…well that and my best mate, my Soda Stream machine. Knowing I revert to a refreshing glass of soda with freshly squeezed lemon and home-grown mint is a lifesaver. Walk, walk, walk – good to see other humans at distance and connect. Mrs D: What are you doing to fill in the days?

Rebecca: Friday kitchen boogies are a regular occurrence, my garden has been weeded to an inch of its life, I have sorted all my old and ill fitting clothes for Nurse Maude charity shop and I am nearly ready to attack my five year procrastination of decluttering the garage. Oh and I’m doing a little bit of work from home. Mrs D: What would you say to people who are struggling with alcohol while they’re in lockdown?

Rebecca: For this will soon pass. Dig deep for that inner strength to stop at a set limit of drinks or treat yourself with an alternative (choc, soda, long bath). Live for one day at a time.

Mrs D: What’s in this photo you’ve shared with us?

Rebecca: A glimpse of Mr Soda Stream and mint on ice.