Pandemic Sobriety

I created @NewLoLove a month prior to the start of COVID-19. I was finally embracing sobriety after nearly 10 years of excessive drinking. The experience left me feeling more connected to New London than ever. I grew up wanting nothing more than to leave New London, and eventually I did for a while. A huge part of my drinking escalating came because I moved back home and felt so disconnected and disappointed. At the start of 2020, I made the decision to quit drinking. It came mostly as I realized that I couldn't be the type of community member I wanted to be with drink in hand. I was constantly letting myself down, and preventing my creativity from flourishing in ways I could treasure rather than just use for survival. So I went alcohol free for 30 days and then just kept it going. Then COVID-19 happened. And I had to find a way to navigate sobriety in a world that seemed to be crumbling around me. I decided to keep creating and transformed @NewLoLove into my artist platform and a community resource space. The virus has actually led to what I've always wanted, a move from New London. In a strange twist, I've left my Black and brown neighbors for a town of

predominantly white strangers. I've never felt

more alone and yet, still sober. And still New London.

Submitted Anonymously on Oct 15, 2020