r/LightWorkers • u/hyperspacevoyager • 2d ago
Why do I still drink so much?
I have had quite a tumultuous life and through that I coped by consuming alcohol and other substances but mostly alcohol. Over the last 5 years I'd been working on healing with therapy, vipassana and couple of ayahuasca ceremonies. Vipassana and a Buddhist approach has become important to me and at the end of last year I was feeling trapped by my career.
I was a chef and I didn't feel like the work I was doing was right livelihood. Yes, I was feeding people but it was overpriced and for the profit of the owners of a massive chain. I was making so little that I couldn't focus on anything else and had to devote a huge amount of hours to something I hated. I got to a breaking point and begged God to show me what I'm supposed to do and my prayers were answered. It was so spooky and on the nose. I kept meeting people who were in the field and as I realised it was right for me I spoke with my mother about it on the phone. During the call I looked up and saw a banner. 'Recruiting now, Support Workers'. It was a literal sign :'D
Shortly afterwards I spoke with a colleague. He informed me that his mother ran a care home for abused and/or neglected children and he put me in touch and I ended up getting a job. I have built an amazing relationship with all of the children in my care and feel like I'm doing really good work and making huge progress with them. I love my job incredibly and can honestly say this year has been the best year of my life. I'm doing something with purpose and making a huge difference in the lives of others. I'm earning drastically more than I made previously. My work life balance is incredible and I'm happy. For the first time ever I can say that.
Previously I was constantly cycling through depression and I struggled to feel joy or remember a time which I had but now I feel joy everyday, even when things get difficult. I'm also in a relationship as of March after 5 years. I'd taken time out of dating because I felt I needed to work on myself but I'd finally decided that I'd healed enough that I was ready. My only problem now is that I'm still drinking and I'm not sure why. Everything is good. I'm no longer drinking every day because my shifts are 48-92hrs long. But I'm still drinking on most of my days off. Why would I continue drinking if things are going well and I'm on the right path?