RE 607: Sobriety SlogansRE 607: Sobriety Slogans
Recovery Elevator
Paul Churchill breaks down common sobriety slogans and reflects on how their meaning changes with time, especially the phrase “one day at a time”. John, 39 from Vermont, shares his first 36 days alcohol-free, describing years of daily drinking, the impact on his relationship, and how books, journalling and new routines are helping him stay sober.
43:04•5 Oct 2026
Sobriety Slogans, One Day at a Time, and John’s First 36 Days Alcohol-Free
Episode Overview
- Short, familiar slogans like “progress, not perfection” and “one day at a time” can carry practical wisdom that lands differently over time.
- Focusing on the present moment – rather than a lifetime without alcohol – helps reduce anxiety about staying sober.
- Quit lit such as *This Naked Mind* and *Kick the Drink* can act as powerful anchors during early sobriety.
- Writing down everything alcohol has taken from you can provide motivation when urges to drink appear.
- Building new routines with exercise, reading and healthy hobbies helps fill the time once spent drinking.
“Today's the day. Every single day that I waited, I look back and wish I would have quit a day sooner.”
What makes a recovery slogan actually stick? This episode of Recovery Elevator takes that question and runs with it, mixing practical wisdom with a very real, very fresh story of early sobriety. Host and author Paul Churchill starts by rattling through a long list of classic recovery sayings – from “progress, not perfection” to “we’re only as sick as our secrets”.
He admits these lines once made him roll his eyes, but 12 years alcohol-free has given him a new respect for the “wisdom baked into these lines”. The big focus lands on one of the most overused (and most resisted) phrases: “one day at a time”.
Paul breaks it down to “the present moment” and then simply “now”, pointing out that worrying about the rest of your life sober is pointless if you’re just trying to get through tonight’s witching hour. He links this to breath, mindfulness, and even quotes Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle and Jesus to show how many traditions point to exactly the same idea. There’s also a reminder that Recovery Elevator itself reached 600+ episodes the same way: one at a time.
Then John, 39 from Vermont, steps in with just 36 days away from alcohol. His story will resonate with anyone who’s quietly worried they drink too much but tells themselves they’re still “functioning”. From binge-drinking through school and early adulthood, to daily drinking across the street from a liquor store, to hiding bottles from his girlfriend, John lays out how long he knew something was wrong before he was finally ready to stop.
He talks about using quit lit like *This Naked Mind*, journalling everything alcohol had taken from him, and filling his newly sober time with basketball, the gym and reading. He’s honest about resisting slogans like “one day at a time”, yet clear that alcohol “just isn’t in the cards” anymore. If you’re wondering whether slogans are cheesy nonsense or secret weapons, this conversation might get you asking which one you actually need today.
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