One of our customers who lives independently in the community wanted to share some of his reflections with the wider Leading Lives Community.

He is someone who is slowly turning his life around with support from our Independent Lives service.

He wrote this reflection about himself and used AI to help him compose it before sharing it with his support worker who he’s built great rapport with.

He wants to remain anonymous, and of course we respect his desire for that, however he did send in a beautiful picture of his cat who stars in his reflection!

Reflection – 2 Months and 11 Days Sober

Before I got sober, I was in a rough place. I used to miss a couple nights of sleep every single week. I was hungover three days a week, constantly making my parents upset about my drinking. My anxiety was worse back then—more constant, harder to manage. I could barely focus long enough to read even two pages once a week. Most of my time was spent drinking, watching adult content, and smoking more than I do now.

Money just disappeared—on alcohol, on takeout. I got myself into debt, and it felt like I was digging a deeper hole with no way out.

Now, just 2 months and 11 days later, things are shifting. I’m reading again—really reading. I’ve been going through 2–3 books a month, and on some days I read 70 to 100 pages. I’ve been collecting books I’m excited to read, and I even bought myself the hardcover Harry Potter set—something I always wanted.

My flat is cleaner. My skin looks better. I’m spending more time with my cat. I’m spending money on better things. I’m paying off my debt. I still have anxiety, but it’s not as intense or chaotic as it was when I was drinking.

And even though I still sometimes feel like it’s not “good enough,” I know I’m not where I was. I’m building something better, piece by piece—even if it doesn’t always feel that way. This is progress, and I’m living proof of it.

We’d like to congratulate our customer, we recognise how difficult it can be to turn your life around and we are really proud of him for the progress he has made.