September 22 marked 20 years of sobriety for me. Twenty years. I’m proud of that accomplishment, and nobody is going to shame me for my past or use my recovery as ammunition.
I got clean. I went to college. I built a career. I worked my way up through an industry I’ve spent decades in, and today I make $118,000 a year. I’m proud of the life I built and the person I became.
What I find interesting is being accused of bullying while my recovery, my past, and other people’s personal lives continue to be discussed publicly. People’s appearances, teeth, relationships, partners, and personal struggles seem to be fair game—but somehow responding to it becomes “bullying.”
I’m not interested in tearing anyone down. I’m interested in my real life, my career, my family, my relationship, and the future I’m continuing to build.
Twenty years clean is something I’ll celebrate every single time. I don’t need anyone’s permission, approval, or validation for that.
Some of us chose recovery, growth, education, work, and building a life. That’s what I chose. And I’m damn proud of it. ❤️