11/3/25 marked my 26th year of sobriety. Twenty-six years. Over a quarter-century, which makes me sound like I should be wondering where I put my AARP card and complaining about my back, but here we are.
Here’s what I know for sure after all this time: the basics always work. I know, I know—how boring and unhelpful, right? You want the hack. The quick link. The thing nobody’s telling you. But I’m telling you: it’s the basics. It’s always been the basics.
Whether you’re struggling with alcohol, white knuckling your way through an eating disorder, or just sober curious (which is a beautiful, brave place to be), you’ll find freedom in simplicity. One day at a time. Sometimes one hour at a time. Sometimes one breath at a time when things get really squirrelly. That’s not a cliché—it’s a lifeline someone threw me when I was caught in the crosscurrents of alcoholism and bulimia.
The basics work because they’re doable. They’re accessible right now, in this moment, even when your brain is screaming that everything is terrible and will always be terrible. Don’t drink. Reach out for help, even when you don’t want to. Show up for yourself and others, even in your sweatpants.
Year 26 hasn’t taught me anything radically different from year 25, or year 5, or year 1. It’s reminded me that recovery isn’t about achieving some final enlightenment where you float around in white linen being serene. It’s about returning to what works, again and again, like a slightly exasperated but deeply grateful homing pigeon.
You don’t need to figure it out forever. You just need to stay the course today.
Keep it simple—that’s enough. It’s always been enough.
Stephanie Hazard, SPRS, CCIEDC, RCP
Recovery Coach
www.pathtowardrecovery.com
