06/09/2025
***Trigger warning: This post discusses alcohol, sobriety, and mental health.***
I was scrolling through my old photos today and noticed something: the difference a year can make. In one picture, I see my old āpoker faceāāthe one who loved to drink, who hid so much pain behind a forced smile. That photo is just a year apart from now, but it feels like a lifetime.
Six months ago, I chose sobriety. December 2nd will always be a second birthday for me. Besides the days my children were born, itās the day I decided to start living again. The weight I carried for so long finally lifted, and I started facing life with every raw feelingāno more hiding, no more numbing.
It hasnāt been easy. I still find myself in places where I used to drink, still feel the pull sometimes. But now, I face those moments honestly. The hardest part was admitting to my doctor that I was strugglingānot just with alcohol, but with my mental health. That honesty changed everything.
If youāre reading this and struggling, know youāre not alone. Thereās no shame in reaching out for help, and thereās real hope on the other side. Iām still on this journey, one day at a time, learning to live with all my feelings and proud of every step forward.
I couldnāt have made it this far without the unwavering support of my family and the close friends whoāve become family along the way. You all carried me when I couldnāt carry myself. Sheila is rebrandingāguided by the love of God and gratitude for every new day.
As a career woman, a single mother, and a business owner in the making, I know this is just the beginning. Iām finding peace, love, and greatness in the most nurturing wayāhealing that little girl inside me, the rebellious, heartbroken teenager, the carefree woman who loves with every beat of her heart and the freedom of a gypsy soul.
Thank you for believing in me. Hereās to new beginnings, to healing, and to everyone bravely fighting their own battles. ā¤