Taylor Wallace
4y ago
Writing about my journey getting sober, building tech companies, and pivoting into a simpler life owning and operating dog daycares
There’s a sober aphorism: “spend enough time in a barbershop and you’re going to get a haircut.” If you hang out in bars, eventually you’re going to get drunk.
But what if you’re bald? And you really enjoy the people and the vibe of the barbershop?
I haven’t had a drink in 2,735 days and I’ve spent way more time in bars and clubs than I have in barbershops.
I’ve had way more haircuts than drinks in the past 7 years. That’s really saying something as I’ve got about 12 inches of hair.
Bars are about the booze. AND they’re about celebrating the human spirit, the beauty of connection, and shared experience. Just because you’re teetotaling doesn’t mean you need to forgo that joy out of fear.
Being spiritually fit and comfortable in your sobriety is akin to being bald.
When you’re comfortable with who you are and how you’re living your life, you can go anywhere and do anything without needing to change the way you feel by consuming a drink.
Just because you shave your head doesn’t mean you need to stop enjoying the camaraderie of the barbershop. If all your friends head there after work on Fridays for a clean-cut and you want to go shoot the shit, do it.
Just make sure you don’t have any hair for them to shave.
Because hair grows back, just as spiritual fitness can fade.
If you walk into the barbershop with a shaggy head of hair, your chances of wanting a haircut are going to increase dramatically.
If you’re feeling uncomfortable in your sobriety, chances are a lot higher that you’ll drink at the bar than you would at church.
If you’ve just started on your sober adventures, it’s best to stay away from the bar while you build that spiritual fitness, while you learn to deal with life on life’s terms. Early sobriety is like having peach fuzz when what you need is some Mr. Clean level shine. If your dome is sparkling, there won’t be anything to cut.
There's another saying: "sobriety delivers everything alcohol promised." Alcohol promised me a good time - sobriety delivers it wherever I go, including places soaked in booze.