Chelsea Mitchell

I struggle with anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive thinking. When I quit drinking after years of detrimental addiction, I started a garden. 10+ years later, my backyard is a safe space that quiets even my most devastating thoughts. I stop to admire the bees. I listen to the birds. I watch the flowers blossom. Occasionally, I battle with the dreaded tomato hookworm and dodge wasps. My garden is a holy place where I feel closest to God and connected to the universe. Frequently, I’ll sit outside and have silent conversations with angels and send love to people no longer part of my journey.

With dirt under my nails, I found myself. My endless attempts to drown out sorrow have been replaced with a deep sense of joy, love, and peace I never believed I would experience. This revolution was sparked by the care and kindness I received, making me realize how truly possible happiness can be. Healing hasn’t erased painful days, but it has given me the clarity to see beauty, the strength to keep air in my lungs, and the grace to believe that even after destruction, life continues.

#alcoholfree #nonalcoholic #sobercurious #sobriety #recovery