Kelly’s Story: Trading One Thing for Everything

At Leaving Mayhem, we share stories like Kelly’s because recovery isn’t about losing something—it’s about gaining a life you never thought possible.

Kelly’s clean date is June 20, 2023. Since getting sober, she has reclaimed her mental and physical health, reconnected with her love for dance, built a happy and healthy relationship, and pushed herself out of her comfort zone.

She has removed toxic people from her life and embraced new experiences, proving that sobriety isn’t about missing out—it’s about finally showing up for yourself.

Before recovery, alcohol controlled her. She’d wake up swearing she wouldn’t drink that day, only to find herself at the liquor store by evening. She drank before going out so people wouldn’t judge how much she was consuming.

Drinking wasn’t about getting drunk anymore—it was about feeling “normal.” But the truth was, alcohol never helped her pain. It only fueled the fire and burned her down with it.

Now, she’s found peace in movement—dancing, running, stretching—and in hobbies like beading, where she can quiet her thoughts. She believes in celebrating milestones, spending her one-year sober at Disneyland.

For Kelly, sobriety isn’t about restriction; it’s about fully experiencing life. Even during the holidays, she finds joy in being truly present with her loved ones, waking up without “hangxiety,” driving home safely, and embracing the magic of the season.

She knows addiction doesn’t last forever. You either find recovery, or it eventually takes everything. Recovery happens when you’re willing to do whatever it takes.