Turning 32

On aging and intentional sobriety

The night sky on February 3, 2024

On Friday, February 2, I turned 32. Finally. 31 felt like a year in perpetuity. A year in which I lived nine lives. In the days leading up to 32, last week, I was so excited to publish my reflections. 32 reflections for my 32nd year, specifically. But, as eager as I was to share, I’ve been struggling to write about my 31st year. Instead, the topic that keeps coming to mind is my exploration of sobriety. Realizing that, for me, aging and sobriety may go hand in hand. That the journey of one is parallel to the path of the other. Where one represents my past and one allows greater access to my future.

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As I sat at the bar on November 26, 2022, I recounted my plans for the next day to friends. I invited them to join me at the Christmas market or for the free yoga class at the art museum. We clinked our glasses of orange wine as we closed out our tabs to head to a new bar.

As is commo…