Trust the Journey You Can’t Yet See

Some days pull you back into reflection - into who you were before you knew what real strength would require of you. Today was one of those days. After another round of phone calls and appointments in the guardianship process for my daughter, I caught myself thinking about who I was 18 years ago…

It’s been another day of phone calls and appointments in the guardianship process for my daughter, Dylan.

And I found myself thinking about how me, 18 years ago - brand new mom, fresh baby in my arms - would have felt if she could see what I’m doing right now.

Honestly? She would have been devastated.
Heartbroken, even.

Back then, I didn’t have the perspective I do now.

I would have fixated on all the things that felt so hard. The things I thought I’d be losing. The ways life wouldn’t look like I imagined.

I would have only seen the limitations. The sadness. The things that weren’t happening because of this new reality.

Because at that point, everything was still so new, so raw. I had no frame of reference for the kind of strength, peace, and even joy that would eventually grow from all of it.

I couldn’t have imagined how it was possible to face something so heavy and still be happy.

But now, I can see that it is.

The Version of You That Can’t Yet Imagine What’s Ahead

This reminds me so much of the process of quitting drinking.

Because so many of us get stuck in that same in-between - knowing alcohol isn’t serving us, yet continuing to drink because we can’t imagine what life looks like without it.

How will I still have fun?
How will I relax?
How will I connect with my partner, go on vacation, get through a wedding, or survive a Friday night?

The version of you that exists right now only knows one way - to drink through those moments.

And that version of you is not yet the woman who has learned another way.

But here’s the truth: when you take that first step down the path in front of you, every experience begins to change you. You grow. You heal. You stretch.

And before you know it, you arrive at the moments that once seemed impossible - and you realize you’re not only surviving them… you’re living them with peace, confidence, and joy.

You Will Become the Version Who Can Handle It

This guardianship process with Dylan has been exhausting. But I’m still here. Still doing it. Still happy most of the time; and always trusting that I can make it through this and it will all be worth it on the other side.

And when you decide to quit drinking - because you know it’s not serving you anymore - you can trust the same thing will happen.

You’ll grow into the version of you who can handle all the things that scare you right now.
You’ll figure out how to relax, how to have fun, how to be social - and usually, it’s so much better than you ever imagined.

Trust the Steps Before You

The things that seem impossible today are impossible for the version of you that you are today.

But you won’t stay that version forever.

You just start. You trust that the steps will keep appearing before you.
And by the time you arrive at those “hard” moments - the vacations, the holidays, the social events - you’ll realize they’re not just doable without alcohol… they’re actually easier.

You’ll meet a version of yourself that is stronger, fuller, and more at peace than you ever thought possible.

Trust that you’re going to figure it out.

You always do🖤

xx -

Shannon