Letting Go of Fear

I had so much fear about living without alcohol. It felt like an impossible leap, as if I’d lose a crutch I’d relied on for so long. But eventually, I learned to coexist with that fear until it slowly drifted into the background — a true journey of Moving Forward from Addiction and Anxiety.

The need and desire for alcohol didn’t vanish overnight. Tough situations brought it back to the surface, but instead of giving in, I started facing my problems head-on, without the false comfort of a drink. I found strength I didn’t know I had—strength to speak in front of groups, to tackle challenges, and to put my fears aside.

Finding My Stride

As I opened businesses and navigated the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, I began to find my stride without alcohol. Looking back now, I realize I was guided by my own wisdom, even when I doubted it at the time. I was creating a life I could be proud of.

But life has a way of testing us.

Doubt and the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Somewhere along the way, I began to doubt myself. Negative thoughts crept in and started to guide my actions. I overthought everything, letting small issues grow into overwhelming challenges.

Through it all, I stayed sober. It wasn’t easy—there were moments when turning to alcohol felt tempting. But I refused to give up. Even when I felt like I was falling down more often than standing tall, I found ways to pick up the pieces and move forward.

I learned something important during this time: Everything is a story we tell ourselves. And almost every one of those stories is fiction.

Moving Forward

When I finally realized that my thoughts weren’t always truths, I began to reclaim the fearlessness I’d lost. I started to face challenges as they came, one step at a time. And though it’s still a journey, I’ve discovered that moving forward—even when it’s messy or imperfect—is where true strength lies.

If you’re struggling to move forward, whether it’s from addiction, anxiety, or simply a place of self-doubt, I hope my story reminds you that you’re not alone. Change is possible. Strength is within you, even when it doesn’t feel that way.

Your Turn

What’s one story you’ve told yourself that turned out to be fiction? How did you rewrite it?

Please send any comments or suggestions to gerard.tripping@gmail.com