In the rich mosaic of recovery stories, Alysse Bryson's narrative shines with a unique luster of transformation, determination, and creativity. As the founder of "The Sober Curator," Alysse has channeled her journey from a tumultuous relationship with alcohol into founding a vibrant platform that celebrates sober living through entertainment, inspiration, and information.
Alysse's story unfolds through her candid responses, sharing how the arrival of motherhood catalyzed her quest for sobriety and how, she found her true calling in empowering others in their sobriety journey. "The Sober Curator" stands as a testament to her resilience, offering a beacon of hope and a source of connection for those navigating the path of recovery.
We invite you to delve into the life of Alysse Bryson, a narrative that transcends mere recovery to spotlight the power of reinvention and the impact of leading with purpose. Her journey from the chaos of addiction to the clarity of sobriety and leadership illuminates the core values of ODAAT Apparel: embracing every day as an opportunity for growth and transformation.
The Awakening to Change
“Once the shock wore off, I chose to embrace motherhood, thinking a baby would be my salvation.”
Q: Can you share a brief overview of your journey and what led you to seek a path of recovery or personal transformation?
A: "Picture me at 20, belly full of baby and life spiraling out of control, thanks to my love affair with alcohol and substances. Issues? Nah, I didn't see any. Then wham! Pregnancy news hit me like a freight train. Once the shock wore off, I chose to embrace motherhood, thinking a baby would be my salvation. In many ways, it was. But not right away.
Despite staying mostly sober during pregnancy and my son's infancy, by 22, I was back on the party circuit. I was a lot of fun until I wasn't. My 20s are a haze of juggling mom duties, partying till dawn, and grinding to keep a roof over our heads. My parents' place saw me moving in and out more times than I can count.
Fast forward to 30, and there I was, claiming my sobriety badge. Now, at 48, I can proudly say I did it for me and for my little man. He was nine when I kicked the habit, so he remembers a bit of the Before Times. Not exactly my proudest moments. But the mother I evolved into? Now that's something to be proud of."
Embracing One Day At A Time
“The 'One Day At A Time' mantra? Friend, I clung to that like a life raft from the get-go.”
Q: What does the mantra 'One Day At A Time' mean to you, and how has it influenced your approach to challenges and growth?
A: "The "One Day At A Time" mantra? Friend, I clung to that like a life raft from the get-go. Just had to stay on the wagon for 24 hours, then rinse and repeat. Three weeks into sobriety with very white knuckles, I confided in a few folks, doubting I could navigate the upcoming booze-filled weekend sober. Cue Rita, a tiny 70-something-year-old dynamo wearing crazy glasses and 12 different shades of purple, handed me her number and an invite to spend Saturday together. We did, and lo and behold, I didn't touch a drop. That's when it hit me - the recovery tribe is chock-full of folks ready to lend a hand. But you gotta swallow your pride, admit you need help, and muster the courage to grab that lifeline when it's thrown your way."
The Essence of Resilience
“I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down.”
Q: How have your experiences shaped your understanding of resilience, and what does being resilient mean to you personally?
A: "Nudging close to 18 sober years, life's been quite the rollercoaster. Sure, there have been highs - shiny new cars, skyrocketing up the career ladder, and jet-setting on luxe vacations. But it hasn't all been sunshine and rainbows. I've grappled with the dark cloud of depression, braved emergency heart surgery, and fought the big C. The past 18 years have seen me attending more funerals than the first 30. When I think about resilience, Chumbawamba's Tubthumping lyrics echo in my mind: "I get knocked down, but I get up again, you're never gonna keep me down." And guess what? I've weathered 100% of my worst days. The key is to keep picking yourself up, sometimes at warp speed, other times at a snail's pace."
The Power of Community
“The opposite to addiction is connection.”
Q: What role has community played in your journey? How do you connect with others who are walking similar paths?
A: "In my 48 years, one truth stands out - you morph into those you spend time with. A popular saying in the recovery sphere goes, 'The opposite to addiction is connection.' This resonates deeply within me, and I wholeheartedly stand by it."
Finding Strength in Adversity
“Let Go and Let God. Just For Today. One Day At A Time.”
Q: In moments of doubt or hardship, what practices, beliefs, or mantras help you find strength and continue moving forward?
A: "My go-to life mottos include the following. 'Let Go and Let God'. 'Just For Today'. 'One Day At A Time'. And, when you tweak your perspective, the things you look at undergo a transformation too. I strive to maintain an outlook steeped in gratitude and a commitment to serving others. When everything seems to be falling apart, dedicating my time and efforts to helping others without expecting anything in return steers me away from self-centeredness and self-pity."
Celebrating Milestones
“You can remove the girl from the party but can't extract the party spirit from the girl.”
Q: How do you celebrate your milestones and successes, no matter how big or small they may be?
A: "I'm a party enthusiast through and through. You can remove the girl from the party but can't extract the party spirit from the girl. Over the years, I've indulged in grand gestures like jetting off on trips or treating myself to beautiful things. At times, I've hosted parties, inviting family and friends to join the celebration. And occasionally, I've chosen tranquility over festivities. Regardless of the scale of the celebration, my priority is always to extend my gratitude to those who not only guided me on my path to sobriety but also those who helped me maintain it."
Advice for the Journey Ahead
Q: What advice would you give to someone at the beginning of their journey of recovery or self-improvement?
A: "Just start. The only way to do it wrong is not to do it at all."
Inspirational Beacon
“Change the thought before it becomes an act.” -Rita B.
Q: Is there a particular book, quote, or person that has been a significant source of inspiration and support for you?
A: "Remembering my dear friend Rita, may her soul rest in peace. She left us with an impressive 47 years of sobriety to her credit. Her journey towards recovery wasn't flawless, but good intentions always guided her heart. She used to hand out simple white business cards that read: 'Instant Gratification: My biggest failure in life – is trading what I want the most – for what I want at that moment. Change the thought before it becomes an act.' -Rita B."
Mindfulness as a Way of Life
“My mornings kick off with meditation and introspection, setting the tone for a mindful day ahead.”
Q: How do you incorporate mindfulness or self-care into your daily routine, and how has this changed your perspective on life?
A: "My mornings kick off with meditation and introspection, setting the tone for a mindful day ahead. I motivate myself by acknowledging 3-5 aspects of my life that I'm grateful for. This routine helps me maintain balance and perspective in my daily life."
A Message of Hope
“Sporting recovery-themed apparel allows one to express their journey towards sobriety silently but powerfully.”
Q: What message of hope or encouragement would you like to share with the ODAAT Apparel community?
Answer: "Sporting recovery-themed apparel allows one to express their journey towards sobriety silently but powerfully. It's a beautiful way to "recover out loud" without uttering a single word. I've cherished 99% of the spontaneous conversations that have sparked due to someone's curiosity about my attire. These interactions often lead to meaningful discussions and shared experiences, further strengthening the bond within the recovery community."
Journey in Three Words
“Experience, strength, and hope.”
Q: If you could describe your journey in three words, what would they be and why?
A: "Experience, strength, and hope. Learn from my experiences. Have the strength to demonstrate by my actions a better way to live. And hope for a better tomorrow."
Aspirations and Goals
“Now, if I can land an interview with the real Kevin Bacon, my mission will be accomplished.”
Q: Looking forward, what aspirations or goals are you working towards, and how do you plan to achieve them?
A: "Years back, when I launched The Sober Curator, some sober friends in my inner circle started referring to me as the Kevin Bacon of recovery. Now, if I can land an interview with the real Kevin Bacon, my mission will be accomplished."
Evolving Definition of Success
“Mistakes at full speed”
Q: How has your definition of success evolved throughout your journey?
A: "Making mistakes at full speed. My friend Kate likes to say, 'Done is better than good.' If I look back honestly, my biggest successes have risen from my biggest failures."
A Closing Thought
“We’re on a mission to entertain, inspire, inform and provide community to anyone who desires a life beyond their wildest dreams in long-term recovery.”
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your experience that might inspire or resonate with others in our community?
A: I hope you’ll stop by and check out www.thesobercurator.com – we’re on a mission to entertain, inspire, and inform and provide community to anyone who desires a life beyond their wildest dreams in long-term recovery.
Alysse Bryson's narrative is a beacon of hope and a testament to the strength found in embracing life's journey, one day at a time. Her story, filled with challenges, resilience, and transformation, resonates deeply with the core values of ODAAT Apparel: growth, recovery, and the unwavering belief in the possibility of a brighter tomorrow.
We invite you to share your own journey of self-improvement and recovery. Let's inspire each other to face each day with courage and optimism.
Comments
I really enjoyed this voice. Full of knowledge and insight. “ change the thought before it becomes an act” What a superb line.
Love this! Love Alysse!
Jeremy such great stuff, love the sharing of stories, so good!!