STAYING PRESENT
We asked these clean and sober individuals about how being present shows up in their sober lives and how living in the moment impacts their program of recovery
STATE OF CLARITY
“Staying present is definitely a pillar in my recovery. For me, it’s not just about not future tripping, it’s about being here right now and not worrying about what happens next, because fear definitely shows up a lot in future events that aren’t real. When I’m present, I’m able to be in a state of clarity and peace. Before I got sober, there was a lot of chaos and dysfunction. I learned in recovery not to dwell on a resentment, because that person isn’t even thinking about me. Being present is about my own state of mind. I can choose to hold on to something and be angry, or choose not to live in the past. When I’m not present, the only person that’s really suffering is me.”
—Benny Rodriguez, sober since September 9, 2025
FOCUS ON GRATITUDE
“Being in the present moment allows me to focus on gratitude. I realize the only time I ever have irrational emotions is when I’m future tripping or thinking about the way I wish something would have happened in the past. That causes me to create a whole set of emotions that aren’t real. When I stay in the moment and take care of what is directly in front of me, I can be grateful for what’s happening. Before I got sober, I was just trying to survive from moment to moment. Being present is definitely something I learned in sobriety, and it’s something that I still am learning how to do today. If I enjoy where I am right now, I become grateful for what I have.”
—William Richardson, sober since May 9, 2025
PEACE IS FOUND
“I’ve learned that healing happens when I stay present instead of reliving the past or fearing the future. Before recovery, my mind constantly lived somewhere else. I replayed old mistakes, shame, and regrets, or I would future trip and try to control outcomes that had not even happened yet. Living that way created anxiety and exhaustion. Recovery taught me that peace is found in being fully present for the healing available today, rather than trying to control everything. I also learned that I do not have to carry life alone; my recovery community and Higher Power help carry me. Snapping back to the present usually starts with something simple: prayer, calling someone in recovery, taking a walk, or reminding myself to focus on just the next right thing.”
—Shawn S.
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