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Megan Moore's avatar

Beautifully and thoughtfully penned Devin. Thank you for sharing. I know I have some things to examine myself, when I missed the ritual of it all while going through fertility treatments. Then during a pregnancy I had no issues abstaining… but when I miscarried, I immediately wanted to numb the pain with alcohol. The emotions are complex and my relationship with alcohol deserves thought and work. Thank you for shining a little light on this concept and your reality of being soberish.

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Devin VonderHaar's avatar

Megan I’m so sorry. We have so much catching up to do! It’s definitely a complex subject. Thank you for sharing

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Dana Leigh Lyons's avatar

Thank you for sharing your story, Devin. And huge recognition for how you're walking with all of this. I got sober in early 2020, even though I was drinking no more than "normal" or "average" for a year or two prior. Whatever we call it, quitting drinking was the best, most transformative choice I've made in my adult life. It changed everything, everything, everything.

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Devin VonderHaar's avatar

Beautiful. Thank you for reading!

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Emily Grosvenor's avatar

I live in wine country and barely drink anymore. Like maybe three times a year. I don’t miss it, and friends are all fine with it. But people in my family who DO drink--they are baffled.

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Devin VonderHaar's avatar

I always find this part fascinating. How the people around us feel emotionally abandoned by us leaving the ‘party’. And the many ways it’s expressed. It’s wild!

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Emily Grosvenor's avatar

I’m definitely over the idea of being a drinker of this or that connected to identity. It’s a ritual for sure but often a self-destructive one.

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