Resolutions Reimagined: Why 'Getting Sober' Isn't Enough (And What to Aim for Instead) Ah, New Year's resolutions – that magical time when we all collectively decide to become perfect humans overnight. And if you're thinking about recovery (or already in it), you've probably heard the classic: "This year, I'm getting sober!" Spoiler alert: I've been on both sides of that declaration – first as the person making it, then as the counselor hearing it. Let me tell you something they don't put on those inspirational recovery posters: according to research , about 80% of New Year's resolutions fail within six weeks. Ouch. But here's the plot twist – I'm not here to rain on your recovery parade. As someone who traded meth for a bachelor's degree (talk about an upgrade), I'm here to tell you why "getting sober" isn't enough... and what you should aim for instead. The Problem with "Getting Sober" as a Reso...

 The Space Between: Navigating the Quiet Days After Christmas in Recovery The decorations are still up, but the magic has faded faster than your aunt's passive-aggressive smile when you declined her spiked eggnog. Half-eaten cookies sit in tins nobody wants to touch anymore (except at 3 AM when the sugar cravings hit like a freight train). The relatives have gone home, and your sanity has almost returned. Almost. Welcome to what I like to call "the space between" – that weird twilight zone between Christmas and New Year's where time loses all meaning and we're not quite sure if it's okay to wear pajamas to the grocery store. (Spoiler alert: it is.) For those of us in recovery, these days can feel like walking through quicksand while carrying all the emotional baggage our family kindly "gifted" us during their stay. The rush of holiday adrenaline crashes hard, leaving us alone with our thoughts in the aftermath of family gatherings, social obligations...

              Let the Holiday Dysfunction Begin   You know those perfectly curated holiday photos on social media? The ones with matching pajamas and pristine dinner tables? Let's talk about what's really happening behind the scenes for many of us. Right now, someone's getting bombarded with passive-aggressive texts from Aunt Karen about why they're not coming to Christmas dinner. Someone else is trying to figure out how to dodge intrusive questions about their life choices. And plenty of us are setting boundaries with family members who think the holiday season gives them an all-access pass to our lives. Here's what I've learned: You're not alone in this mess. Not even close. Those uncomfortable family group chats? The guilt trips? The manipulation tactics? They're playing out in homes across the world right now. It's like a holiday tradition nobody asked for, but everyone got it anyway. But here's the th...