Tag: alcohol free

LETTER TO YOUR YOUNGER SELF: KENNETH

Posted on by Jessica Duenas in Guest Submissions
Audio if you prefer to listen.

Writing Prompt: If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say?

Young Kenneth. Submitted by author.

Dear 12 year old me,
It’s the summer before your 13th bday. You have a friend staying the night from school. Mom
and Dad leaves you guys there to go hang out with friends. Pops has his liquor stash in the cabinet in the kitchen. Before you open it to take 12 shots of E&J Brandy, know this won’t be the last time you get drunk. You will experience being drunk a few more times over the next 25 years. Even though you throw up and feel like shit it won’t be your last time. But that’s what happens when you are left alone a lot to fend for yourself.

You are highly intelligent despite what any teacher will tell you in Jr high, high school and even college. Yes, that’s right college. You will be the first one in the family to get a Bachelor’s/Master’s degree. You are a great athlete but know the family will be too busy to see you play. Will it hurt, HELL YEAH! You get your heart broken a few times by girls and women. But don’t give up cause she is out there.

You will experience some shit others may only hear or read about. But that’s what makes you unique. You think you faced racism? You are barely scratching the surface. Can you believe you join the Army. Just like your Brother Anthony who is on deployment right now. And you end of getting stationed in El Paso, TX just like him. You get the chance to live any many cities. You experience pregnancies at 14, 17, 26 & 27. But no kids just yet and I’m 43 today. That time will
come. Your dream of working in radio comes true. But depression sinks in once your not able to
advance in the field. You pickup heavy drinking at 25 and over the next 12 years it’s hell for
you. But you are strong enough that you make it out of it to become an author, podcaster, mentor
and public speaker. You go to rehab 4 times but you finally got it right.

Kenneth today. Submitted by author.

I can say so much more about how life will be, but I want you to live it up to the fullest. Don’t change a thing cause when you reach my age you will say it was well worth it and probably do it the same exact way God has in store for you. Keep that million dollar smile cause many people will continue to gravitate to you. You don’t hear this enough but I love you and will be there with you every step of the way.

Follow Kenneth on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube at @12facesofsober

To submit your own letter to your younger self, email your letter and photo(s) to jessica@bottomlesstosober.com.

Letter to Your Younger Self: Matt

Posted on by Jessica Dueñas in Guest Submissions
Audio of text if you prefer to listen.

Writing Prompt: If you could write a letter to your younger self, what would you say?

Dear Matt @10 years old,

I want to tell you about what life is like now, but actually to let you know it’s ok to just be you. 

Be open with yourself about how you are feeling. It’s ok to admit things are not right for you in your life. When you get to the age I am now, you will have some regrets about not being able to speak to people. You will also not have as many people who want to speak to you, but one day you will find those trusted souls who are there for you and you will talk. If you do get just the smallest windows of opportunity to tell people how you are doing, take that chance. 

Young Matt, submitted by author.

You will find an amazing teacher in your life who will be your inspiration and someone you think back to often when you finally end up being a teacher. You are super funny and kind, but also can be quite stern and expect a lot of the children you teach. You keep them safe and nurture them, but you are fair and disciplined when you have to be. 

Know that it was ok to lie to people about not having a dad. That it was ok to make stuff up, because that was your way of dealing with the difficult life you came to have, because of your dad dying. Be kind and forgiving of yourself. You knew your dad, you absolutely did. Understand that he was there for you more than you realised. He shaped you for 2 and a half years. 

Know that it’s ok to not have to be like everyone else, that you are ok just the way you are. That it’s ok to not to have to be “one of the lads.” That you don’t have to force yourself to like alcohol and to have to go out. 

Matt today. Submitted by the author.

Right now, you are very much in me. You are a 46 year old man at heart, but you have a zest for life and for fun, which shines out of you. You are a child still who does what people would say are crazy. For instance right now you are dying your hair blonde and you’ve got your ears pierced! Imagine what your grandad would say about that! So funny! You like surfing and músic and play bass guitar and ukulele. You are determined and desire for everyone to be happy. 

Tell your family you love them. Please ask about your dad and don’t feel you are upsetting people talking about it. They will want to talk to you. You may think you didn’t know your dad, but you are him and he is in you.

Enjoy your life. It’s going to be great. 

Follow Matt on Instagram at @soberyogadad

To submit your own letter to your younger self, email your letter and photo(s) to jessica@bottomlesstosober.com.