My Triggers
Do you struggle with addiction of any kind? I do. And honestly, I probably always will in some form.
Right now my food, alcohol, and shopping habits are in a really healthy place, but that doesn’t mean I get careless. I’ve learned the hard way that awareness matters.
In my twenties, I got a DUI. That was a very low point in my life, and one that forced me to really look at myself. As part of the process, I was required to attend recovery meetings. I chose SMART Recovery instead of AA because it aligned more with how my brain works.
What I appreciated most was that it wasn’t just about substances. It was about patterns. Food, shopping, relationships, work, alcohol. All of it. Anything that we use to cope instead of actually dealing with what’s underneath.
One of the most powerful things I learned there was the idea of a “trigger,” but not in the way people usually think about it.
Instead of focusing on what triggers unhealthy behavior, we talked about creating triggers that remind us to make better choices.
That’s where this bracelet comes in.
I wear it when I’m going to be around alcohol or situations where old habits could sneak in. It’s a physical reminder of the person I choose to be now. A reminder that clarity matters more to me than a buzz. That being present, grounded, and in control matters more than fitting in or numbing out.
It represents my commitment to myself.
To my clarity.
To my future.
Most of the time I don’t even consciously think about it anymore. It’s just there, doing its job. Quietly reminding me of what matters.
If you struggle with anything, I encourage you to find your own version of this. Something small and tangible that reconnects you to your why when temptation shows up.
Something that reminds you of the bigger picture.
Because your choices matter. And the version of you you’re becoming is worth protecting.
Today I’m heading out to enjoy some wine and good company with amazing women, grounded, present, and fully myself. And that, for me, is what balance really looks like.
