Sandra JoyLast week, I manned the sales table for the On The Rocks Exhibition. This is the culmination of a writing competition and art collaboration run by Joan McCarthy (TBC) and the TBC Council. While it’s name is a phrase used by drinkers, I was not there as a drinker, but with my fellow writers and to sell my books.
You see, I survived.
I have been sober since 6 October 2016 – SIX YEARS.
For a few years before that, my life revolved around my next drink – and pretending I didn’t need it. Now, my life revolves around writing and helping others. My family and friends already know this: the reality is that I would have been dead by 2017 if I hadn’t stopped. my body and brain were suffering and I had a plan to commit suicide after my 50th birthday.
Let’s not get too sombre – I’m ALIVE. And so are you.
What have you survived?
I don’t need to know the details (unless you want to share) but I do want you to give yourself a hug to show that you appreciate coming through it. Don’t let anyone tell you that it was insignificant, or they’ve been through worse, because only you went through your situation in that particular set of circumstances.
Perhaps you’ve had therapists help you. Perhaps you have bottled it up.
I want you to own your survival.
I have a theory.
I believe that we go through things for a reason. I believe that there is someone down the track that is going to need someone to help. That person has a skillset and experience that is unique and relevant to them. That person is you.
So, embrace your survival. Allow your experience to help others who have, are, or will go through the same thing that you endured.
What can you do with your survival?
Maybe your skill is talking, one on one or to a group of people.
Maybe your skill is in writing, there are plenty of ways to record your experience and what helped you through it – journal, blog, academic textbook, memoir, or a novel.
Whatever your chosen method (and the most appropriate for your story) please,
embrace your survival and use it to help others.