Last week I told you how I got sober. Today I'm telling you what happened next.

Five years without a drink. And here's what nobody tells you:

I lost friends.

People stopped inviting me to things - mom trips involved wine, get-togethers felt weird when I wasn't drinking.

I realized I couldn't relate to people anymore. The conversations all felt surface level. People repeat themselves after a few drinks and don't even notice.

I had to completely rewire my life. No beer after skiing. No bars. No happy hours.

Nothing to take the edge off. Ever.

Dating was brutal. Everyone wants drinks on a first date. I dated a guy who quit drinking but smoked pot daily - just trading one numbing agent for another. I'd rather be alone than with someone running from themselves.

In these five years, I've gone through divorce, custody battles, watching my kids go through things they shouldn't. The courts not doing proper investigations. Lost friends, partners, the life I thought I'd have.

All without anything to take the edge off.

But here's what ELSE happened:

My business hit million-dollar revenue. I was featured in Forbes and NY Times. I wrote a book. I bought horses, a mountain house, investment properties. I built a nest egg for my kids. After years of dating, I found a sober partner - the healthiest relationship I've ever had.

My body healed. I'm in perimenopause and healthier than I've been in years. My kids see me FULLY ALIVE.

In this episode:
💜 The friendships I lost (and why it's okay)
💜 Dating sober until I found my person
💜 Going through hell without the edge
💜 Forbes, NY Times, and million-dollar years
💜 Falling in love with myself

Less friends. More life. It's worth it.

Get Awaken Your Purpose at ericacarrico.com/books 💜

To learn more, visit:
http://www.ericacarrico.com/

Listen to more episodes on Mission Matters:
http://missionmatters.com/author/Erica-Carrico/