A. Second. Chance.

Hi, I’m Cee. I spend most of my time searching for creative inspiration through relationships with people. I am passionate about motivation and nurturing our souls to be fulfilled and happy.

• Week 52 – Reflection
  This journey has been the most life challenging and revealing experience of my life. I never thought giving up alcohol and drugs would be so complex, positive and life changing.… Read more: Week 52 – Reflection
• Week 51 – Healthy body, healthy mind
  I’m playing tennis and visiting the gym frequently, I really look forward to each visit, the training, getting fit and healthy, along with all the little social encounters. It has… Read more: Week 51 – Healthy body, healthy mind
• Week 50 – Stability returning. No sorrow in its absence, my confidence builds.
  Is it possible to find balance once the damage is done? I wonder if you are always in recovery. They tell me so. When I attended Grow Live addiction centre… Read more: Week 50 – Stability returning. No sorrow in its absence, my confidence builds.
• Week 49 – Patience in the sands of time. Accepting my nuances and nursing my anxieties
  It’s been a relatively calm week for my birthday. This time last year I was drinking every day, heavily, going from one party night to the next. This year has… Read more: Week 49 – Patience in the sands of time. Accepting my nuances and nursing my anxieties
• Week 48 – tranquility, balance and peace
  This week has consisted of hitting the gym harder than usual, nestling back into work and a lively party night out with friends. It has been good to get some… Read more: Week 48 – tranquility, balance and peace
• Week 47 – Back to work following New Year and approaching a year sober
  So new year has come and go. I had a really good time, despite being the only sober person at the party. To be fair many of our guests drank… Read more: Week 47 – Back to work following New Year and approaching a year sober
• Week 46 – Fear of Missing Out, understanding myself and releasing the pressure
  As I get older, I realise that we’re pretty much separated into two camps in life as adults. One that had children and one that didn’t. Society says that the… Read more: Week 46 – Fear of Missing Out, understanding myself and releasing the pressure
• Week 45 – Xmas and a time for reflection. Can I move on, despite not being able to change the past?
  So Xmas has been and gone, it was a good one, with no dramas, no cravings and of course no alcohol. However my sleep is not great and I remain… Read more: Week 45 – Xmas and a time for reflection. Can I move on, despite not being able to change the past?
• Week 44 – Loneliness, love and life in the city at Xmas.
  It’s the week before Christmas and I’m reflecting on how fortunate I am to have family and stability in my life. Although not perfect, I know that through a wide… Read more: Week 44 – Loneliness, love and life in the city at Xmas.
• Week 43 – Time rich and roll on Xmas
  As the weeks roll by, I continue to wallow in expectation. I frequently find myself dreaming about scenarios, what could be, what will be and what may. I try to… Read more: Week 43 – Time rich and roll on Xmas
• Week 42 – Souk up your life and smell the spice
  I feel as if I’m waiting for something to come along and bring me back to reality, but honestly my purple patch continues. Is this how normal life should be?… Read more: Week 42 – Souk up your life and smell the spice
• Week 41 – So fresh and so clean. Wash away with the past, the future is yours.
  Tapping into my sub conscious and allowing instinct to guide me. This is my attempt at the new me. I am learning how to let my immediate sensations lead me,… Read more: Week 41 – So fresh and so clean. Wash away with the past, the future is yours.
• Week 40 – You only have one life, so do I.. savour the good times and give space for love.
  I have had an energised week. There’s been lots on and not much time for myself, however I have enjoyed it in the most part. I have been very active… Read more: Week 40 – You only have one life, so do I.. savour the good times and give space for love.
• Week 39 – Acceptance and Peace. The sign of my times.
  I am sorry to anyone reading or following this blog for not always posting on the same day each week. I will try to improve that! I’m currently 1 week… Read more: Week 39 – Acceptance and Peace. The sign of my times.
• Week 38 – Belonging and what it means to us
  When I began my journey I didn’t really know what I was doing. All I knew was that something had to change. I had to start. That was the key.… Read more: Week 38 – Belonging and what it means to us
• Week 37 – Alive to live, but with a murky backdrop
  It’s feeling like autumn. The school term is well underway and is in full swing. Next week is half term, and with my partner taking the kids to Paris for… Read more: Week 37 – Alive to live, but with a murky backdrop
• Week 36 – Discovering who I am, overcoming loneliness and opening new doors.
  For years I was going out by myself. Well into my forties. I was hypnotised into chasing that adrenalin rush, that first hit of excitement and building on it. It… Read more: Week 36 – Discovering who I am, overcoming loneliness and opening new doors.
• Week 35 – Creativity and impulsiveness. Let your subconscious flow.
  One of the reasons that I love being creative is that I can escape the emotional part of my brain. Rather channel it, through a creative outlet such as music,… Read more: Week 35 – Creativity and impulsiveness. Let your subconscious flow.
• Week 34 – Perfectly inconsistent. My only constant is change.
  The ups and downs of life continued to circle. I should accept that this is life for everyone else too. No one has it perfect. Up until recently, I’ve dreamt… Read more: Week 34 – Perfectly inconsistent. My only constant is change.
• Week 33 – Not as strong as I think
  This week I have been struggling with loss. First it was my car, then my job and finally my tooth… Since my car was stolen, almost 3 weeks ago, I… Read more: Week 33 – Not as strong as I think
• Week 32 – Why did it all begin?  Understanding your beginnings and finding balance. Forgiveness and Peace.
  For my entire life I have listened to logic, science and fact when making decisions, only not with alcohol or drugs. I am trying to learn why and understand my… Read more: Week 32 – Why did it all begin?  Understanding your beginnings and finding balance. Forgiveness and Peace.
• Week 31 – Setbacks are opportunities for growth
  This I went to Richie Pitch’s funeral. It was bitter sweet, there were lovely people there, lots of faces I knew, old and new, but naturally we were there due… Read more: Week 31 – Setbacks are opportunities for growth
• Week 30 – Unleash the shackles, be free and follow your heart. RIP Richy Pitch 🕊️🕊️🕊️
  This week I have been preparing for my friend’s funeral. I have been blessed with the honour of speaking at the wake and have been preparing my speech. Richy Pitch… Read more: Week 30 – Unleash the shackles, be free and follow your heart. RIP Richy Pitch 🕊️🕊️🕊️
• Week 29 – The discipline of reaching our full potential
  I’ve been having a conversation with myself that has extended to others. We all have it, we all share this issue in our lives. We put pressure on ourselves thinking… Read more: Week 29 – The discipline of reaching our full potential
• Week 28 – My pledges, now I’m free, who I can I truly become?
  So summer is coming to an end and we have been on the road for almost five weeks. It’s been a wonderful holiday weaving through France, drifting from village to… Read more: Week 28 – My pledges, now I’m free, who I can I truly become?
• Week 27 – From here to beyond. Your potential is unlimited, if you can let go…
  So it’s been 2 weeks since one of my friends passed away. He was a fantastic person, who lived his life the right way. He ate well, he didn’t smoke… Read more: Week 27 – From here to beyond. Your potential is unlimited, if you can let go…
• Week 26 – 6 months alcohol free. Reflection on my journey
  So I have been free from alcohol for 6 months. What did I expect at this juncture looking back? To be honest, when I started this journey I didn’t think… Read more: Week 26 – 6 months alcohol free. Reflection on my journey
• Week 25 – The scenic route is sometimes the smartest
  To react or not react that is the question. It’s become quite obvious to me for some time now that it’s best not to jump to your first conclusion and… Read more: Week 25 – The scenic route is sometimes the smartest
• Week 24 – Bordeaux to Margaux, the end and the beginning
  I could have based my whole life here guzzling bottle after bottle. The finest vineyards and the most famous chateauxs drift past my window as I drive to Bordeaux. There’s… Read more: Week 24 – Bordeaux to Margaux, the end and the beginning
• Week 23 – Precious bonds, golden threads and tangible vibrations
  This week we have been preparing to embark on our adventure around France. There have been tasks to tie up in the final remaining days, the usual admin before leaving… Read more: Week 23 – Precious bonds, golden threads and tangible vibrations
• Week 22 – The cycles of life, enjoy the ride and don’t be hasty
  I feel the walls breaking down around me, much like old layers of skin, peeling away one by one. My freedom from my once troubled soul is underway, and slowly… Read more: Week 22 – The cycles of life, enjoy the ride and don’t be hasty
• Week 21 – A dice with spice takes my mind by heist
  Summer is almost in full swing. Parties are upon us and we have our very own summer BBQ approaching this weekend. The surrounding gardens are coming to life with laughter… Read more: Week 21 – A dice with spice takes my mind by heist
• Week 20 – The benefits with alcohol?
  When I first gave up drinking, my friend said to me that when he had done the same, he later discovered that for him, there were benefits to drinking, in… Read more: Week 20 – The benefits with alcohol?
• Week 19 – Retail therapy to release the energy
  Is wanting to have a variety of looks vain? Or is it just a way to express ourselves? Why do we need to express ourselves this way? Why is it… Read more: Week 19 – Retail therapy to release the energy
• Week 18 – An overactive mind can run the gauntlet
  Since a young age I exhibited academic aptitude in the classroom. I often got gold stars for my work through primary school and then upon gaining entrance to an elite… Read more: Week 18 – An overactive mind can run the gauntlet
• Week 17 – Perfectly imperfect
  We had a lovely holiday this week in Bude with friends. The weather was a wee bit drab, but nonetheless quintessentially British. We filled our days with walks on the… Read more: Week 17 – Perfectly imperfect
• Week 16 – The Placebo effect
  My learning and growth continue to embed themselves into my character. This week my partner told me about a conversation she had with another parent at the school who said… Read more: Week 16 – The Placebo effect
• Week 15 – Triggers and projection
  This post is about understanding your triggers and what not to do when you experience them.
• Week 14 – The Devil within
  I am gaining trust in myself. I am developing a calm resilience within. My only expectation is that there are none. That gives me comfort, I am open. I trust… Read more: Week 14 – The Devil within
• Week 13 – Balance
  The roller coaster has ceased to roll. Ups and downs are no more. The thrill of dopamine pumping through my veins followed by depression and negativity have dissipated. The highs… Read more: Week 13 – Balance
• Week 12 – Eddie’s love bus
  Week 12 has arrived and is a landmark in the timeline for most addicts. The 12 step program normally revolves around this time span, and is used as a point… Read more: Week 12 – Eddie’s love bus
• Week 11 – Blinded by love
  We’ve arrived back in London and it is safe to say that we’re not overjoyed to descend into the gloomy, concrete jungle. The weather is overcast, cold and blustery. Welcome… Read more: Week 11 – Blinded by love
• Week 10 – Volcanic heights
  We have arrived at the top of Reunion Island to a volcanic settlement called Cilaos. It is a picture-esque village situated in the center of collapsed volcanic crater. It’s breathtaking… Read more: Week 10 – Volcanic heights
• Week 9 – Out on the tiles
  We have arrived at Reunion Island. It is absolutely stunning here, 30 degree heat, beautiful sunshine, incredible scenery all around. The streets are adorned with beautiful artwork, hand painted by… Read more: Week 9 – Out on the tiles
• Week 8 – Ownership
  I think about drinking now and how it made me feel, from the first sip of an evening to the last.  It makes me feel sick. It’s difficult to explain,… Read more: Week 8 – Ownership
• Week 7 – Breakthrough
  I am becoming more aware of myself and my emotional state. In the past when I would get upset, angry or confrontational, I would entirely see it as injustice happening… Read more: Week 7 – Breakthrough
• Week 6 – Relapse and reward
  I’ve been moving forward very well in all areas of my recovery. Mindset, physical health, consciousness, mood, diet, but not sleep. Ironically I sleep less than when I was drinking,… Read more: Week 6 – Relapse and reward
• Week 5 – Normalisation
  At the end of week 4 I had planned a meal at my favourite local restaurant by way of a celebration. At the time of booking I wasn’t sure if… Read more: Week 5 – Normalisation
• Week 4 – Who am I?
  This week I have a very busy time at work. It will be a welcome distraction from the overwhelming thoughts running through my mind. I’m trying to live in my… Read more: Week 4 – Who am I?
• Week 3 – Reflection
  I have been going to the gym nearly every day this week. I am establishing a routine away from alcohol. The cravings are subsiding, I’m losing weight fast and finding… Read more: Week 3 – Reflection
• Week 2 – Adjustment
  As week 1 came to a close, I had the unenviable task of going to my first social engagement on day 7. Although it was with my full Family I… Read more: Week 2 – Adjustment
• Week 1 – Realisation
  I’ve had another awful row with my partner. It is clear to her that my love affair with alcohol is to blame, I’m not so certain. This has been the… Read more: Week 1 – Realisation
• Acceptance
  It has been 7 weeks since my last drink. I wanted to start this blog as a way to help me reflect and understand more about my journey through abstaining… Read more: Acceptance