Mere Sobriety

Am I using my sobriety as justification for other bad habits?

Getting sober is my single greatest accomplishment. If you’ve achieved sobriety, I applaud you—wholeheartedly. It’s a monumental achievement and one that I’d never diminish. But as I approach three years of sobriety, I’m starting to understand something important: sobriety is a foundation, not the finish line. Simply being sober isn’t enough—it’s just the start.

Sobriety as a Justification

When I first got sober, I allowed myself certain indulgences to ease the transition. A donut here, some pizza there. “At least I’m not drinking,” I’d think to myself as I reached for a second helping or grabbed dessert. And honestly, I don’t regret it. In those early days, those small comforts helped me stay the course.

But as I’ve built a life in sobriety, those “every now and then” indulgences turned into habits. And eventually, I found myself leaning on the same justification: “At least I’m not drinking.” It’s easy to let that mindset become an excuse. After all, sobriety, especially for someone with an addiction, is a high bar. But as I’ve realized, it’s also possible to raise that bar even further.

As I’ve built a life in sobriety, those “every now and then” comforts turned into habits.

Raising the Bar

The truth is, sobriety isn’t about replacing one unhealthy habit with another—it’s about living the fullest, healthiest life you can. For me, that means putting my bad eating habits in check. Sobriety gave me a new lease on life, and I owe it to myself to make the most of it.

That doesn’t mean I’m suddenly cutting out every treat or striving for perfection (because spoiler alert: nobody’s perfect). But it does mean being mindful of the routines and choices I make every day. The donut doesn’t have to be a crutch, just like alcohol doesn’t have to be the answer.

Sobriety is about living the fullest, healthiest life you can.

Sobriety as a Foundation

Sobriety gave me the foundation to build something greater. Without it, none of the other things I’m working on—whether it’s growing my business, strengthening my relationships, or taking better care of my body—would be possible. But now that I have that foundation, I can’t let myself plateau.

Sobriety taught me discipline and resilience, and those lessons can apply to more than just saying no to a drink. I can use them to improve other areas of my life, from eating habits to fitness to my overall well-being.

Permission to Grow

If you’re newly sober, give yourself permission to focus on that alone. Achieving sobriety is monumental, and the last thing you need is pressure to overhaul every part of your life all at once. But if you’re further along in your journey, maybe it’s time to take a look at what comes next.

Are there habits you’ve let slide? Routines that don’t align with the life you want to build? You don’t have to tackle everything at once, but you can start raising the bar, one step at a time.

Final Thoughts

For me, putting down the drink was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. But in a way, it was also the easiest, because it was clear-cut. I knew I had to quit drinking, period. The work that comes after—building a better life, making healthier choices, staying mindful every day—is less obvious, but it’s just as important.

Sobriety isn’t the end. It’s the beginning. And as I continue on this journey, I’m learning to take the same strength I used to stop drinking and apply it to every other part of my life. One day, one choice, one raised bar at a time.

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