I've built more relationships with people about being open about my struggle than I ever could have if I were still pretending like I had it all together. By Alyson Premo.

I've built more relationships with people about being open about my struggle than I ever could have if I were still pretending like I had it all together.

Those superficial relationships built just on alcohol are old news. Give me substance and quality. I don't need gossip, negativity, and drama, which is what I thrived off of when I was drinking. Don't get me wrong, I may still scroll a long comment thread for the comedic aspect, but I'm not in there stewing and becoming so angry that it affects my quality of life.

My life is messy sometimes, and of course, I'm not perfect because no one is, but these days I'm content with staying in my own lane, helping others, and building relationships with others who have the same values and interests as me.

Back in my drinking days, all I had was drinking. How sad is that? Alcohol was my best friend, hobby, and it controlled my daily life. So, of course, I tended to surround myself with others who were drinking a lot because I needed that justification to keep alcohol in my life. But there was no deep connection there. The connection was alcohol, that's it. And I"m not saying every relationship or friendship I had when I was drinking was superficial because that's not the case.

What I am saying is that if alcohol is the glue that's holding your relationship or friendship together, then when you remove alcohol, you're going to know.

People change. Lifestyles change. And that's ok. But I promise you I've built better relationships and friendships from being honest and sharing my struggles, rather than pretending that I have it all together. So if you lose a friend or a significant other when you remove alcohol, there are so many other people who will be attracted to who you are - struggles and all.

This is a topic I discuss a lot with my 1:1 clients. If this is something you're struggling with, I invite you to check out the 30 Day 1:1 Program (Bye, Bye Booze...Hello Freedom!). We talk through this issue and so many others so that you can be empowered by your decision to remove alcohol from your life instead of feeling like there's something wrong with you because there isn't.

I have ONE spot left for the program! Message me (@sobermomcoach), and we can chat to see if it would be a good fit for you!