Welcome to Somewhere Sober! A personal blog with stories about my travels and trying new things while navigating a sober life.

For almost 20 years, everything I did, I did with a drink in my hand. Concerts. Dinners. Sporting events. A toddler's birthday party. I drank when I was happy. I drank when I was sad. I drank when I was stressed. I drank when I was bored. I drank to celebrate, and I drank to commiserate... there was always a reason to reach for a bottle. My best memories were with a drink in my hand. As were some of my worst.

Then I got sober. I was terrified that I would never have fun again. Even scarier, that I would never laugh again.

Slowly, with a lot of work, I discovered something... my life didn't get smaller. I didn't disappear when I stopped drinking. Over time, I've come to realize that my life is fuller than it was, and I missed so much being drunk.

It didn't happen overnight, and it didn't happen by chance. But eventually, I started noticing things I spent years rushing past. I started to feel things I once tried to numb. I started to find joy in places I never expected... in trying new things and traveling. It was surprising to me how extraordinary life can be when you see it without the fog of alcohol.

That's what Somewhere Sober is about.

This isn't a guide to living without alcohol. I'm not going to give you a list of the best places to visit in Barcelona if you're sober. I won't be sharing travel tips on the best mocktails you can order in New York City. And you won't find fluff stories pretending recovery is always beautiful and profound.

Rather, I'm going to tell you about my personal experiences while traveling and navigating this great big beautiful world using what I've learned in my recovery. You'll discover how I live sober and the unexpected things that have brought me joy. The experiences that have scared me, and the moments that have changed me. You'll see how my journey has been messy, ridiculous, and completely worth it. And most importantly, you'll share in the quiet moments when I stop and take it all in—the moments when I remember just how remarkable it is that I am actually here.

The Lion, The Ladybug, and The Hummingbird

These are three ideas that have become part of the language of Somewhere Sober. My mom is from Iran so the lion is part of our cultural identity, representing courage and strength. My paternal grandmother loved ladybugs, and with deep respect for the woman she was, I draw parallels to the grace and beauty they symbolize. The hummingbird is for me. I've always been enamored by these mighty birds and their quirky little habits.

While journaling my experiences, these three vastly different creatures, began to serve as metaphors for what recovery has taught me.

A lion represents courage - so these are the big things I’ve done. The experiences that require me to be brave, to change, to surrender, to begin again. I have to be fearless enough to go/do/try.

The ladybug represents wonder - the little things I’ve experienced. The things I might have overlooked if I wasn't fully present. I have to remember to be still enough to notice.

The hummingbird represents joy - the moments that make me feel alive. They're curious, energetic, and free to explore. They remind me that there's joy in living.

Sometimes life asks you to be a lion. Sometimes it asks you to notice the ladybug. Sometimes it simply asks you to be a hummingbird and enjoy the ride.