Thread by @chrisgeidner

OK, I did this. The best part about this, I realized, is that I have been sober long enough that I was sober during all of the years of this meme. #tbt

There wasn’t a picture to choose from where I was drinking or hungover. And this goes back SEVEN YEARS! That’s wild to me, still, and just makes me so grateful that I found this path to sobriety.

I am, however, still an alcoholic. And have my bipolar disorder to deal with on top of it. Those will always be a part of me. And they’ll make emotionally draining weeks like this tough.

And, I need to remember the things that I’ve found work for me to help keep my bipolar, addictive mind in its best state. When I’m centered, it can be pretty great! But, if I don’t take care of myself, shit happens. I’m less focused, I lash out, I’m not my best me.

So, after being that less-than-centered version of me today, I escaped from you all for a bit. I ran, I talked with people who get ~this stuff~, I meditated.

I already feel so much more centered, but looking back at these pictures — and knowing the ones that came before — are a great reminder of how precious this gift is.

Thanks for all the love and kindness and sharing you’re doing. It’s good for all of us to be more honest and open about these things (within one’s comfort and safety levels) because stigma helps no one — including those still in pain.

Part of taking care of me, though, is sleep! So, I am off for now. ... Night, all, and let us try to be good to one another — and ourselves. 😴