This blog post will delve into the obsession I once had about choosing the perfect moment to embark on my sobriety journey. I’ve come to realize that a significant part of my struggle with the idea of getting sober was fixating on the “when” – the specific date that had to hold some deep sentimental meaning. I’d often encounter TikTok videos where people proudly declared, “I got sober on July 17th,” and I’d wonder if that was the secret formula.

This obsession led me to question why my mind insisted on attaching such significance to the date. It seemed like my own mind had woven a narrative that the date had to be special for sobriety to work. While I acknowledge that certain dates can hold symbolic power, the truth is, when it comes to quitting drinking, the best time is now. There is no better time than the present. This realization, though liberating, also felt somewhat daunting because it meant there were no excuses left – I had to act immediately.

In a way, it’s as simple as Nike’s iconic slogan, “just do it.” The more we hold back, overthink, plan excessively, and procrastinate, the more we remain stuck and paralyzed. This prolonged inertia can lead to a loss of belief in our ability to achieve sobriety, especially when we tie it to a special date.

I found myself endlessly searching for that one special date, one I could proudly reference to show off my sobriety success. But after numerous failed attempts, I finally decided to break free from this date obsession. I’d had enough, and that moment of clarity arrived on September 22nd.

This blog post will delve into the obsession I once had about choosing the perfect moment to embark on my sobriety journey. I’ve come to realize that a significant part of my struggle with the idea of getting sober was fixating on the “when” – the specific date that had to hold some deep sentimental meaning. I’d often encounter TikTok videos where people proudly declared, “I got sober on July 17th,” and I’d wonder if that was the secret formula.

This obsession led me to question why my mind insisted on attaching such significance to the date. It seemed like my own mind had woven a narrative that the date had to be special for sobriety to work. While I acknowledge that certain dates can hold symbolic power, the truth is, when it comes to quitting drinking, the best time is now. There is no better time than the present. This realization, though liberating, also felt somewhat daunting because it meant there were no excuses left – I had to act immediately.

In a way, it’s as simple as Nike’s iconic slogan, “just do it.” The more we hold back, overthink, plan excessively, and procrastinate, the more we remain stuck and paralyzed. This prolonged inertia can lead to a loss of belief in our ability to achieve sobriety, especially when we tie it to a special date.

I found myself endlessly searching for that one special date, one I could proudly reference to show off my sobriety success. But after numerous failed attempts, I finally decided to break free from this date obsession. I’d had enough, and that moment of clarity arrived on September 22nd.

You might be thinking, “Well, it was only three days ago.” Yes, it’s true, but this time truly feels different. I have to hold onto that belief. This time is the time—the moment that will make all the difference. In the future, when others ask me what was different this time or what finally worked, I’ll tell them there’s no magic solution, no miraculous pill, no secret book, and no mystical meditation. It was simply the moment when I decided to stop making excuses.

I chose to be brutally honest with myself, to peer beyond the addictive chemical grip alcohol had on my brain, and to dissect the patterns and cycles that kept me trapped. This time, I committed to breaking them down and moving forward.