I've woken up early on New Year's Day - probably as a result of all the adrenaline from last night.
Early on New Year's Eve, here in the picture perfect Swiss Alpine town of Verbier, it started snowing. Fat flakes of snow, the first in weeks, illuminated against the night sky.
The fireworks started at around 6pm, and continued all night. Constant busts of colour, the noise ricocheting off the mountains, the air filled with the smell of cordite.
At midnight we joined thousands of revellers dancing to a crazy DJ in the town square. There were people of all ages and hundreds of nationalities, speaking a variety of languages.
Russian oligarchs rubbing shoulders with ski bums financing their ski season by washing up in the town's restaurants, united by their love of the snow and their desire to welcome the New Year in with a bang.
I didn't need to drink to feel high. In fact, the boozed up revellers, falling over onto broken glass and recklessly lighting fireworks into the crowd, were a great reminder that it's a good idea to be in control.
At midnight, hundreds of people sprayed champagne over the heads of the dancers (I never would have wasted good booze like that in my day), so I still went home reeking of alcohol.
And the best bit?
Waking up today knowing that, for the first time ever, I can really enjoy the first day of a brand new year. All sparkling new and filled with possibility. Starting as I mean to go on, not filled to the brim with toxins and regret.
The slopes will be covered in fresh snow, and they will be empty. Just me and my family, swishing our way into the future.
If you're waking up today with a hangover, desperate to make a change, then don't worry. I'm with you, as are all my friends on here, and in the Soberverse.
Throughout January I'll be posting Reasons to Stay Sober as well as Sober Tips, which I'm sure my regular readers will help with too, so stay with me.
Happy New Year to you all!
SM x
Happy New Year SM.
ReplyDeleteHappy new year! I feel it too - a sort of bubbling excitement to be sober. Found watching others enjoying the odd glass of wine or champagne over the festive period quite hard but am so glad to waken up today with no hangover and the feeling that, finally/hopefully it'll be the norm to be sober this month. We'll be one of the pack again :-) Thank you so much for posting every day in spite of such hard times. Thank you being so positive and embracing the sober life. It has really helped and inspired me. Wishing you a very happy and healthy 2016 xxx
ReplyDeleteWell done EH! You rock! Thanks for all your support this year. Huge hugs xxx
DeleteYOU ARE A LEGEND. Happy New Year, and enjoy those empty slopes today. Annie x
ReplyDeleteJust read your blog Annie! Great to hear you sounding so determined. Go girl! Xx
DeleteHappy New Year SM! I had a major fail last night and drank after caving in to peer pressure. Feeling massively disappointed in myself today. But onwards and upwards. Red xx
ReplyDeleteJust commented on your blog, Red. Don't hate yourself, just pick yourself up and start again. It's a bright, shiny new year. Everything is possible! Xxx
DeleteAh thanks SM - I can't find your comment sorry (am probably being a dilbert, still getting used to blogging). Your support means a hell of a lot tho! I keep getting a reader in Switzerland showing up in my stats, am guessing that's you :-) sounds like you're having a superb time! Xx
DeleteHappy New Year! I wish I felt confident and happy enough not to get drunk, but I am going to try very hard to change things this year. I am scared of change. It is only really weekends that I drink, but it is a lot when I do and I always regret it. I feel sad now, as I often do after drinking, and thirsty and rubbish :(
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! And thank you so much for your fabulous blog. I've been following your progress closely over the last 3 months, laughing and crying along the way. Like you, I've just had my first hangover free New Year's Day in living memory. In sobriety I've rediscovered the fun me and, like you, my love of writing has returned! Instead of numbing myself with alcohol I too have been blogging about where I'm going next as a single 40 something woman with kids. And I love it! Long may it continue! Can't wait to read more. Love SPB. xxx
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!! My husband and I celebrated New Years Day by running in a 5K fun run. It was my first ever, and we had a blast. Much better than spending the day hungover!
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