I’ve published a new essay over on Medium. It’s about the many things that did not get me sober (hypnosis, meditation, sex, making an otter out of felt, etc.–you know, the standard stuff) and the one thing that did (spoiler alert: quitting drinking). It also contains a blow-by-blow description of my Night #1, which might be helpful or reassuring for those of you still approaching your own first sober nights. It’s the kind of thing I would like to have read back then, so I wrote it. Here it is:
I come off sounding more or less like a lunatic in this essay, so if nothing else you will probably find it entertaining. If you do find it funny/helpful/illuminating/trenchant/stubborn/fibrous or any other adjective, and you click the little green heart beneath it, that will count as a recommendation and help surface it to other readers. So if you wanted to just click the heart, that would be much appreciated. CLICK IT, DAMMIT.
I hope everyone (even the non-clickers!) is happy and well and enjoying being robbed of a hour of daylight. XO, Kristi
Off-Dry 
I clicked it. Are you happy now?? Great essay, love reading your stuff:) I didn’t want to quit drinking but I was terrified of death so I thought I’d go ahead and do it.
That’s kind of me too suburban betty.
SO GOOD. Thank you for writing this.
This is amazing.
You had me at the title, and especially this: “I took the kit downstairs and showed my husband. ‘I found the otter of sobriety,’ I said.” I have to get ready to teach a class, but I look forward to finishing this. Excellent writing, as always. I’m humbled by and a touch jealous of talented creative non-fiction writers…essayists, if you will. It’s not my gift, but I appreciate it in others, especially when the topic is sobriety. : )
I’ll second the thought littlemsjones shared…this is amazing. I stopped highlighted stuff because I wanted to highlight the whole thing.
Reblogged this on Recovery 101 and commented:
Take some time to read this excellent piece.
Wow, great read.
Such a great blog today as always. Thank you!!
thanks for the hope
You’re welcome. Thanks for the read and the note. 🙂
I have closets full of Otters of Sobriety. They just look like complete art kits, painting supplies, books on writing, scrapbooking materials and on and on. Most of them untouched. Hmmm. Your essay “Want Not” — Me.
Oh yeah, I clicked the heart. l