As I prepare to take another trip around the sun, entering my 34th year on this wacky planet, I’ve been taking a lot of time to reflect. The past year has had a lot of ups and downs, but my ability to be mindful of my reactions and coping mechanisms to the low moments has been huge. I’ve been alcohol free for a little less than a year, which is weird for me to say honestly. Other than being pregnant, I’ve never gone that long without alcohol. I’d have spurts here or there, but never anything substantial. To some it may sound insignificant, but if you know what it's like to find comfort in that glass of wine after a long day, or the warmth of a beer boosting your confidence in social situations, then you know it’s a BIG DEAL for me. On top of it, I’ve been addressing my eating disorder in full earnest, in part by increasing my therapy to weekly sessions. Before this, whenever life got too hard, I would either drink or eat. With those two options off the table (mostly because recover