February 15, 2022

Transformation Tuesday #59



I was so sure that today was Wednesday, I started the intro to my Wednesday Weigh-In... then I realized that it's only Tuesday, haha! Which is good, because I didn't actually weigh in today.

Anyway, today is Transformation Tuesday, one of my favorite series of posts. (Although the number of posts are dwindling down each week--I only have one this week!--so please send me some. I would love to see whatever transformations you have.

This one isn't really a "transformation", but it's significant to me, so I felt it was worth mentioning. Today is my one-year anniversary of being alcohol-free. You may remember I gave it up for a year in 2019 as a bit of an experiment, but then as you know, 2020 was a big old shit show. I thought I'd be able to have a small glass of wine on occasion, and that lasted all of a week.

First it was wine, and then companies all started making those hard seltzers (which basically taste like flavored sparkling water) and those tasted SO good after a long day of working on the drywall in the garage. It got out of hand, and I knew I needed to quit. (I've never written much about it here because it's such a vulnerable topic.)

I planned to quit in January 2021, but didn't actually start until February 15 (which also happens to be my brother Brian's birthday). I wish I could say that my entire life is different now, that I see all the sunshine and rainbows that people seem to see at this point... but my anxiety is still is a big problem. (I had hoped that quitting drinking would relieve my anxiety.) I had also hoped I'd sleep better, but that hasn't changed either.

As far as positives, though, I am sure I've saved a lot of money. I haven't had a single hangover. I've shown my kids that adults don't have to be raging alcoholics to quit drinking; you can choose not to drink for any reason you want to.

It hasn't been easy. AT ALL. In December, especially, when I was so stressed out about the cats and worried about Duck, I wanted to drown my sorrows in wine. Instead, I just cried--a lot! Hahahaha. 

Anyway, it's been one year. I don't look much different in these pics (today I tried to replicate the first photo). Actually, I have no idea what that first photo is from or why I took it! I can see that it's in my garage. But I felt it important to at least acknowledge the milestone today.


But enough about me! A reader (who is also named Katie) sent this before and after photo, which is stunning...

"I crocheted this blanket is for a friend who is expecting her fifth baby soon. I haven’t done one of these blankets in almost a year, because life is crazy and we moved twice. It was so fun to make one again. It took me a couple of weeks to combine two patterns and crochet the blanket."

- Katie

Katie, I am SUPER impressed! That is adorable, and as someone who used to do a lot of crocheting, I know just how much work went into that. What a special blanket! I'm sure your friend will love it. - Katie


Thank you so much, Katie, for sharing your transformation with us! And please, Friends, take some pictures of little things you transform somehow. To submit a transformation, just send a before photo and an after photo to me at: katie (at) runsforcookies (dot) com. Include your name and a description of your transformation. Hope to see some soon! :)

And here is today's random fact of the day. This one didn't interest me at all, unfortunately, haha.

6 comments:

  1. Congrats on one year alcohol-free! I attempted to do a "dry" February, but ended up having a few beers over the weekend. I have completely stopped drinking during the week though, and it's been so nice to wake up feeling refreshed rather groggy with a sour stomach. All in all, it's helped me look at my relationship with alcohol and what I'm using it for.

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  2. Two fabulous transformations. That blanket is amazing. Love the colors. As for the two photos of you, I can clearly see the difference. And no, you don't have to be falling down drunk every day to want to live alcohol-free. You just need to be sick of what you feel like when you drink. Congratulations!!

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  3. I'm so happy that you recognized that drinking can be an issue for you. It's a slippery slop, especially for people who are bi-polar. My sister is bi-polar and she uses alcohol to manage it, which doesn't work. This is such a hot button for me, so I'll keep my comments to a minimum on this...but good for you!

    And to Katie (who made the blanket), it is beautiful! I wish I had those skills, but I struggle to get each row to match the next. I'm so impressed!

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  4. Congratulations on hanging in there without alcohol for the last year! Also, I'm curious about what might be living in all that water?! Someone could write a great book about that.

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  5. Meant to add that the baby blanket is just so cute. The lucky friend will surely love it.

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  6. I think your skin looks so clear from the before pic. Drinking too much can take a toll on the skin. It isn't good for anyone who struggles with mental illness. As for the blanket, it is gorgeous.

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