Can boredom actually be a good thing? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Joel, a 42-year-old from Lawton, OK, who took his last drink on November 28, 2022. Joel opens up about his struggles with depression and anxiety in early sobriety and how he discovered that boredom could be a gateway to creativity and personal growth.

Paul highlights how our society often makes us feel inadequate if we're not constantly entertained, but Joel's story shows that stepping away from alcohol can open up a world of possibilities. By developing routines and finding support within the alcohol-free community, Joel found new ways to cope and thrive. This episode is a refreshing look at how embracing boredom can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life without alcohol.

Tune into Recovery Elevator as Joel shares how embracing boredom led to personal growth and a fulfilling sober life.

Embracing Boredom: Joel's Path to Sobriety on Recovery Elevator

Episode 419 – Boredom and Sobriety   Today we have Joel. He is 42 from Lawton, OK, and took his last drink on November 28th, 2022.   Join Recovery Elevator in Atlanta, GA over Memorial Day weekend. Registration opens March 1st, and the Sunday evening event is for everyone, and you can find more information about it <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/atlanta/">HERE</a>!   Exact Nature: <a href= "https://exactnature.com/RE20"> https://exactnature.com/RE20</a>   [2:18] Highlights from Paul:   Boredom is a completely normal and natural emotion, one of the many all humans have. In today’s world, we are were unconsciously wired to feel inadequate if we are not stimulated 24/7. But boredom is healthy and what is needed for a creative spark. Big alcohol has done a great job of convincing us that we cannot have fun without alcohol, and part of the sobriety process is finding joy or fun again – without the shit. We can learn to leverage technology and maybe start researching something that we are interested in. And everything becomes a possibility when you quit drinking. It takes our body time to find a heathier homeostasis but with time and practice, boredom becomes the invitation for us to be open to whatever wants to come our way in an alcohol-free life.   Better Help:  <a href="https://www.betterhelp.com/elevator"> www.betterhelp.com/elevator</a> - 10% off your first month. #sponsored   [12:01] Paul introduces Joel:   Joel has 51 days of sobriety at the time of this recording. He is manager of a large automotive retailer. He is married and they have a 14 year old daughter. He enjoys spending time outdoors hiking and at the lake.   Raised by a single mom and had addicts in his family. He didn’t really know his dad until he was 13-14 years old and doesn’t really have contact with him anymore. Parents had a toxic relationship.   Joel feels that this time in sobriety is different. He has tried many times and it seems like it gets harder every time. This time he feels that some of the signs he was given were different than before. He started realizing that he was allowing alcohol to take more and more control of his life. He was drinking on the way home from work, his wife hated his drinking so he was hiding it, and finally he realized it was becoming a huge problem.  The last few weeks found him having some red flags that made him realize he really needed to stop.   Joel says the first few days were exciting and full of optimism and then about day 3-5 found him full of anxiety. He knew it was part of his healing, and found he needed to stay busy to keep sober.  After two weeks he started feeling better, seeing some physical improvements and getting positive feedback from his wife. He feels very motivated to keep the momentum going and finally feels free.   He says he has always been a fan of routines, but now has a much healthier one without alcohol. Exercise has been a huge help to him as well as being reflective in a quiet space. As soon as he feels any anxiety he goes for walks regardless of where he is.   Thinking of the future Joel says he wants to be a role model for his daughter and live a happy life with his family. His mental health is important to him, and he has no interest in ever drinking again. Joel is in some sobriety groups and enjoys listening to podcasts. He and his wife also talk a lot about his journey, she is very understanding and supportive now.     <a href= "https://www.recoveryelevator.com/cafere/">Connect with Cafe RE</a>  Use the promo code OPPORTUNITY to waive the set-up fee. <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuWac9dxkn3J93xJOka3L2g"> Recovery Elevator YouTube</a> <a href= "https://appsto.re/us/z8w_5.i">Sobriety Tracker iTunes </a>   Recovery Elevator Go big, because eventually we all go home. I love you guys

RE 419: Boredom & Sobriety

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It isn't a NO to alcohol, but a YES to a better life!  Best selling author Paul Churchill, along with Kristopher Oyen interview people who have stepped away from alcohol in their own lives. Each week this podcast does a deep dive into an exploration of what a booze free life might look like from various perspectives and opinions. 

If you are sick and tired of alcohol making you sick and tired, we invite you to listen to Recovery Elevator. Check out what an alcohol free life can look like as others share their own stories of sobriety. If you are sober curious, newly sober, supporting a loved one or living your best life already in recovery, then you are in the right place.

This podcast addresses what to do if you’re addicted to alcohol, or if you think you’re an alcoholic. Other topics include, does moderate drinking work, does addiction serve a purpose, what happens to the brain when we quit drinking, should you track sobriety time, is A.A. right for you, spirituality, and more. 

Similar to other recovery podcasts like This Naked Mind, the Shair Podcast, and the Recovered Podcast, Paul and Kris discuss a topic and then interview someone who has ditched the booze.

Recovery Elevator

Can boredom actually be a good thing? In this episode of Recovery Elevator, hosts Paul Churchill and Kristopher Oyen chat with Joel, a 42-year-old from Lawton, OK, who took his last drink on November 28, 2022. Joel opens up about his struggles with depression and anxiety in early sobriety and how he discovered that boredom could be a gateway to creativity and personal growth.Paul highlights how our society often makes us feel inadequate if we're not constantly entertained, but Joel's story shows that stepping away from alcohol can open up a world of possibilities. By developing routines and finding support within the alcohol-free community, Joel found new ways to cope and thrive. This episode is a refreshing look at how embracing boredom can lead to a richer, more fulfilling life without alcohol.

Paul Churchill

Paul Churchill

RE 419: Boredom & Sobriety

RE 419: Boredom & Sobriety

RE 419: Boredom & Sobriety

Monday 27th February 2023

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Recovery Elevator

Embracing Boredom: Joel's Path to Sobriety on Recovery Elevator