Thanks so much for sharing this Josh. I grew with people who loved me. I was outgoing as a kid. I always felt like I was in the wrong place, with the wrong people. No mater how many people were around, I felt apart somehow. Drinking and drugs filled this hole for an incredibly short amount of time. And then I used them to chase that feeling that I could never quite catch again.
My pleasure Peter, thank you for your share. I had a similar upbringing - loved, outgoing. My high school days though I felt in the middle per se. I had friends I cared for, I could get a long with most people. There was a drift over the years of not making the attention about me. There was this feeling of who am I and that question still comes up. I think those times of feeling lost in myself alcohol is what helped filled that void.
Josh, this nails something most people never name: the choice was never really a choice, it was a program running before you were old enough to consent. Belonging got wired to the drink before you had any say. That's not weakness, that's conditioning. The Sober Creative Collective sounds like exactly the kind of room where a person gets to rewrite that program on their own terms. I love it and it is such a huge part of my growth!
So well said Clay, thank you!! You know, my background isn’t in writing and for a lot of my essays I’ve used AI as a partner. Never fully written, just a lot of back and forth working through concepts. This piece didn’t touch it so the vulnerability was a bit higher releasing it. Appreciate you sharing this. 💛
This really gets to the heart of it. For so many people, alcohol isn’t just about the drink. It’s tied to belonging, confidence, connection, and being part of the moment. It’s great that you’ve created a space where people don’t have to trade their sobriety for belonging. A room where you can simply show up as yourself is powerful.💥
Thanks so much for sharing this Josh. I grew with people who loved me. I was outgoing as a kid. I always felt like I was in the wrong place, with the wrong people. No mater how many people were around, I felt apart somehow. Drinking and drugs filled this hole for an incredibly short amount of time. And then I used them to chase that feeling that I could never quite catch again.
My pleasure Peter, thank you for your share. I had a similar upbringing - loved, outgoing. My high school days though I felt in the middle per se. I had friends I cared for, I could get a long with most people. There was a drift over the years of not making the attention about me. There was this feeling of who am I and that question still comes up. I think those times of feeling lost in myself alcohol is what helped filled that void.
For sure!
Josh, this nails something most people never name: the choice was never really a choice, it was a program running before you were old enough to consent. Belonging got wired to the drink before you had any say. That's not weakness, that's conditioning. The Sober Creative Collective sounds like exactly the kind of room where a person gets to rewrite that program on their own terms. I love it and it is such a huge part of my growth!
So well said Clay, thank you!! You know, my background isn’t in writing and for a lot of my essays I’ve used AI as a partner. Never fully written, just a lot of back and forth working through concepts. This piece didn’t touch it so the vulnerability was a bit higher releasing it. Appreciate you sharing this. 💛
This really gets to the heart of it. For so many people, alcohol isn’t just about the drink. It’s tied to belonging, confidence, connection, and being part of the moment. It’s great that you’ve created a space where people don’t have to trade their sobriety for belonging. A room where you can simply show up as yourself is powerful.💥
Appreciate you so much Florence!