Still Moving Forward-My Story

A personal account. TW: abuse, death, substance use
 
This is a personal memoir written during an earlier stage of my sobriety.
It’s being shared here as context, not instruction.
 
This piece reflects a time when I was still figuring things out — what sobriety changed, what it didn’t, and why simply “trying harder” was never enough to build a life that felt stable or meaningful.
 
There are no steps to follow here.
No systems to apply.
No expectations placed on the reader.
 
What This Is
This memoir is a narrative account of:
believing substances were helping me get through life
realizing that getting through isn’t the same as living
navigating early sobriety without a clear framework
struggling with effort, pressure, and confusion at the same time
slowly learning that structure matters more than motivation
It’s honest, reflective, and intentionally non-instructional.
 
What This Is Not
This is not:
a recovery program
a guide or workbook
a replacement for professional support
a description of what you should do
It doesn’t offer fixes or solutions.
It doesn’t need to lead anywhere.
 
I’m sharing this openly because it provides personal context for the practical tools and guides I offer elsewhere