I was born to be real, not to be perfect.

Judge me all that you please, but being real is what keeps me healthy and who I am.

1 year ago today I decided that my life wasn’t going in the direction that I wanted it to, and it was time to make a change.

I gave up alcohol and changed my lifestyle.

Raising a baby and wanting him to grow up as an independent and strong gentleman, I knew that It was time to better myself In order to be the best mom/wife/role model possible.

I have lost too many friends to addictions of all kinds. It took me plenty of tries and second chances. I could never put myself above anyone for living how they are now, the reality is, that it just wasn’t fun for me anymore. My son and self respect come first regardless of my wants or struggles. I know there will always be people out there judging me, but that will always be out of my control.

Not hating yourself for some of the mistakes that you have made can be pretty hard work. Especially when you’ve spent most of your adult life putting yourself down. My goal in saying this isn’t to sound like Rev Run or to exploit my personal life on the interwebs, but to show people that I can relate. I too have struggled, I have been through hard times and am far from perfect.

I never, ever believed it was possible for me to be where I am today. To be this genuinely happy, dependent off of nothing. To know that my kids will never have a bad memory of me the way that I was.

If this post helps just one person want to change and ask for help, no matter how difficult, I know that it was worth it to share. There is a better life waiting out there for you. It isn’t too late for you to be happy. I will support you if you feel that you have no one else. If you are sick and tired of living the life you are now and too afraid to be judged, reach out to me. I will listen. If I can do it, then you can too. Y’all deserve the very best.

Even if you don’t feel that you have a problem that you need to change forever, sobriety will certainly never make anything worse. Taking an extended break from anything you feel addicted to- can feel good. Even if it’s coffee. Or cupcakes. Or smoking. And you think it isn’t possible. It takes hard work and consistency, but I can assure you that It is completely in your control! Challenging yourself and feeling a sense of accomplishment is just what you might need to prove yourself wrong and get that extra confidence. I believe in you.