I’m sure most of us have been on one side of this scenario or the other before. Recall a time when you told your family (or someone told you) that they would be home by 7 for dinner. But you end up grabbing a drink or two after work. Next thing you know, you’re nervously walking through the door at 8:30 and are met with disappointed faces. The guilt hits you like a ton of bricks, doesn’t it?

 

Look, as someone who believes in complete sobriety, I get that my stance is rare. I’ll be straight with you, I wish it wasn’t such an uncommon mindset, but I don’t apologize for my values and beliefs and as long as you are true to yourself, you shouldn’t either.

 

If you can handle moderation and make smart choices with substances that have been known to destroy other people’s lives, then good for you.

 

What I want to talk about today is the awareness you need to understand when your vices (or guilt over your vices) ends up hurting the people that actually care about you. I’ve covered this before and I’ll share this hard truth again, outside of your circle, no one gives a sh*t about you or what you’re going through. They are more concerned with themselves.

 

I hope now you get my point. Why mess with the same people that support you?

Listen, you can’t hide from yourself. You can hide from the cops, the IRS, or a crazy ex, but the watcher is always watching. Fool whoever else you want, but deep down you know that nagging feeling in your gut is guilt, and there is no hiding from that.

 

 

But guilt is more than just a feeling. It’s a real, physical experience that feels like a heavy weight on our chest, or our stomach is in a knot, or some of us get nasty headaches. Either way, it’s real, it sucks, and it can be avoided.

 

Like in the scenario I started with, the guilt for that person is usually starting to build on the way home. That’s your body telling you it’s time to shut the f*ck up and listen and maybe even lead with an apology when you get home.

 

But maybe drinking, smoking, or getting high isn’t a vice that brings guilt for you. Maybe you can have a drink after work and still make it home on time, like you promised.

 

Before you tell yourself that you’re in this group, remember that this is not a lot of people. Like those who promote full sobriety, the amount people who can actually practice moderation is very small. The truth is that the majority of people will claim to have no vices, but then say dumb sh*t like, “I drive better when I’m buzzed because I’m more careful”, or “My family can’t tell when I’m high, because I know how to hide it.”

 

 

 If you have to hide being high from your family, then that’s exactly what guilt is. The fact that you have to hide it also tells me that if your family found out, they’d probably be pretty pissed which means your vice is now a problem.

What I’m really getting at is this: As you navigate all of life’s choices, let guilt help as a guide. It’s programmed into our minds to help us make better decisions and keep us on the right path. Accountability isn’t easy, but it’s crucial if you want to see success.

 

If your vice is hurting someone who cares about you, and you know it, listen to your guilt and stop. Ignoring that inner voice only leads to more pain and regret.

 

Remember, this isn’t just about you – it’s also about the people who love and depend on you. Show them the proper respect by taking responsibility for your actions.

 

I want to hear from you. Have you ever experienced a moment when guilt made you or someone you care about quit a vice? Share your story! The more we share our experiences, the more we realize that we’re not all that different.

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