Pause to inhale deeply (Sat, 14/06/2025)

Pause to inhale deeply (Sat, 14/06/2025)

Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of what sobriety can actually feel like on an ordinary, messy Saturday. This diary-style episode follows Luke through a cold, exhausting day that many people in recovery will recognise immediately. Luke starts with, “Woke up fucking freezing,” setting the tone with blunt honesty and a bit of dark humour. From a bath and coffee to doing his nails and walking the “cur”, he shares the tiny rituals that help him get going.

The day then shifts into a “tough shift” at work, where an autistic shutdown hits towards the end, leaving him “frustrated and upset. Ugh.” You’ll hear feelings laid out like a checklist: mood at five, energy at seven, and a whole line-up of emotions from “appreciated” and “busy” to “defeated”, “overwhelmed”, “triggered”, “upset” and “vulnerable”. It’s a snapshot that many people trying to stay off alcohol, or just trying to stay steady, may find comfortingly familiar.

Amid the rough edges, there are bright spots. A cuddle with “the poor old dog” offers a quiet reset, and a simple piece of good news lands with real warmth: “[REDACTED] received the shirt and bag in the mail – and liked it. Squee.” Gratitude still makes the list, even on a draining day. This episode suits anyone who wants an honest, unfiltered look at mood tracking, autistic shutdowns, and the emotional rollercoaster of sober life.

It’s short, candid, sometimes sweary, and quietly reassuring in its message: you can feel busy, defeated, and vulnerable, and still find small reasons to stay grateful. If you’ve ever ended a long, hard week with a half-sigh, half-cheers of “cheers to the freaking weekend”, this honest snapshot might feel like company.