What a whirlwind seven months it’s been!
Through all the ups and down, I wouldn’t change it for the world. My only regret is, why didn’t I do this years ago?!?!? I guess I was too stuck in my own ways. After all, everyone around around me drinks alcohol. Frequently drinking and / or boasting about big nights out has become normalised… socialising centers around alcohol in our Kiwi boozing culture. So I guess I was quite blinded by it. But that was my fault for being a follower and not questioning it, too.
To ‘reward’ myself for getting to seven months, I registered for a meditation retreat. It’s here in New Zealand and not until November. But I’m hugely excited at the prospect. I’ve never been on a meditation retreat before so somewhat apprehensive as well! And what’s more exciting is that it didn’t cost me anything because the booze money that I’ve been saving has paid for it! Yes! This retreat was paid for with money I’ve saved since my Sober Vegas Vacation (also fully funded by saving my drinking money). I’ll let you know how it goes.
In the meantime, thanks for all your amazing posts, suggestions and inspiration. You’ve been a massive part in helping keep me on focussed. Take care xoxo
This is fantastic! So happy you are at 7 months and doing great! And what an amazing opportunity to go on a meditation retreat! Go you!
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Hi Jess, I’m quite excited at the prospect at this meditation retreat! Have you been on one before? Not sure what to expect but I’m hoping to come home well rested and more aware of how to practice π¦πππΌ
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I’m just so proud of you. β€
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Nawww thank you. Your kindness and support means more than you know. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend πππ½π΄π¦
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Wow 7 months is amaaaazzzzing!!!! Huge congrats and what a great way to honour your accomplishment by going to the meditation retreat. Thankyou for helping to light the way for those behind you π
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Thanks for your lovely message. When things get a bit hard, it’s messages of love and support like yours that help keep me positive and focussed.
Wishing you a wonderful weekend ππ΄π·π¦
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What a fabulous treat for you! Don’t worry the culture in the U.S. is equally centered around alcohol not just in N.Z. I look forward to hearing about the retreat…peace, quiet and nature how lovely! Yoga too maybe? Take your binoculars for birdwatching – one of my favorite pastimes! Congratulations to you! You are something special!
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Congratulations on 7 months! What an achievement. I’ve always wanted to do a meditation retreat. Feels so great to be living a life where we can make choices like that, that nurture our soul and tend to our real needs. So happy for you! π
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Thanks so much! Like you, I haven’t been to one – will keep you posted! Your words are very wise – tend to our real needs. Very true xoxo
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Seven months! That’s great! Congratulations!
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Thank you πππ»
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Congratulations on 7 months!!! πππ The meditation retreat sounds AWESOME! Can’t wait to hear about it!
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Thank you πππ½π΄
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Such immense hugs and congratulations to you.
π
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Thank you so much! Appreciate you popping by and taking time out of your day. Wishing you a great end to your week xoxo
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You too X
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Congratulations on 7 months! Your meditation trip sounds awesome and I love the fact that your booze-free savings have paid for it π x
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Hehe thank you my friend ππ½ππ΄
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Happy 7 Months!!
A mediation retreat would be awesome!
I think it would help me jump start my mediation practice!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful journey!
xo
Wendy
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And thank youuuu my lovely friend for always being such an inspiration. We share so much stronger together β€οΈ
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That sounds wonderful!! Congratulations on your 7 months, and on your awesome upcoming retreat. So proud of you π
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Sound be a blast, looking forward to it! Absolutely love your blog name btw; yours was one of the very first I discovered when I started my blog. So thanks for inspiring me to get cracking with pen to paper (so to speak), it’s been hugely therapeutic and a great way to learn from others here xoxo
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Really?! That’s so nice to hear, thank you!! π
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Huge congratulations, you deserve that trip! It must be so hard considering you around surrounded by a drinking culture. You obviously have a wonderful determination and are a very strong person, and all that money you saved!!! Also I bet you have dropped pounds in weight ! keep going, you are amazing, be proud of yourself, you have earned a big round of applause xxx
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Nawwwww thank you. Kindness, inspiration and ideas from good folks like yourself makes all the difference. β€οΈ
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Woooooooooooooo hoooooooooo!!!!!!! π
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Deep Work was a fantastic read, thank you sooooo much for the recommendation. I’m applying some of the practices at work and it’s making a huge difference. I thought of you while reading the ‘get rid of social media that’s junk’ – the insights are spot on! Many thanks πβ€οΈπ΄ππ½
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Yay! I’m so glad you liked it! Ha ha, I wasn’t exaggerating when I said it changed my life! It’s one of those books that should be required reading for everyone. Up there with Rework, Essentialism, and Die Empty. Ha ha, if you ever need another book recommendation, let me know!
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Oh wow you have more recommendations?!?!? Yes yes I’m totally up for it!!! Those three you’ve just listed sounds like a great start, thank you sooooooo much. For me, reading beats TV hands down these days xoxo
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Oh my goodness, I could recommend books all day! Ha ha, I love reading and sharing things I’ve read! I have a list of recommended books on my blog (on the Things That Changed My Life page) or you can friend me on Goodreads (Jennilyn Gaitan) and I have several recommendations shelves (Fiction recommends, Kids recommends, Business recommends, etc recommends). Ha ha, reading beats TV hands down!
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Thank you so much for the tips, I have some homework to do this weekend! Can’t wait to check out your page. I’m not on Goodreads but you’ve given me a tonne of wonderful recommendations to get started with. Excitement!!! Happy Friday my friend and thanks again xoxo
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You are doing so well, you have such a positive attitude S x
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Your support is really appreciated, thank you so much β€οΈ
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Awesome reason for a retreat! Enjoy!
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Thanks so much my friend, I’m really curious and excited about it! Hugs xoxo
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Bring back some useful information on meditation. I could use the help.
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Will do my absolute best Lamar, it’s the least I can do given what you’ve shared with me. How are you, are you okay?
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Things are going well.
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I want to come to your meditation retreat! It’s a little far away, though. π
I love my sobriety clock… it counts how much $$ I’ve saved by not drinking.
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Fair enough! Will send you positive meditation vibes when I get there ππΌπ
Oh the clock, isn’t the money aspect amazing! A little scary how the dollars clock up … but isn’t it exciting to use it for alternative, positive things!
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Amazing it sounds … You earned it … Focus & patience .. A new beginning …
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Thank you my friend. A wonderful new beginning for many of us, we are so much stronger together β€οΈ
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Congratulations on 7
Meditation has added an indescribable dimension to my recovery
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Isn’t it life changing! Is there a particular style or approach that you like? I’m currently studying modern Buddhist meditation. ππΌπ¦π
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I’ve devoured books on the subject. I guess I would call it sitting meditation ππΌπ
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Nice! So many perspectives out there to explore. π
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The retreat sounds awesome, if I would suggest anything it would be to attempt to have no expectations
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Great suggestion, thank youππ
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What a perfect reward! Congratulations for 7 months!
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Thank you my lovely friend. β€οΈ
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meditation retreat sounds dreamyyyyyy! cant wait to hear/read about it! β€
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Absolutely! It’s at this beautiful nature reserve out in the bush (or, I think you say forest? Or woods?). No internet, no traffic, just nature and bird life at our doorsteps πππΌπ΄π¦π¦
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