I wrote this poem for anyone on the brink of change. New Year’s Eve is a time of fresh starts. If you are embarking on a new beginning, whatever it may be, this is for you.
Please feel free to save the poem below – click the image to download it or screen shot the page (but please don’t crop out my name as author – thank you!).
If you know someone who might be encouraged by these words, please send them on.
Happy New Year, everyone!

Some of the links in this post are affiliate links.
If you choose to click through and make a purchase,
this blog may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you).
Thanks for your support of UnPickled Blog in this way.
Love poems about recovery? Know someone who could use a little boost? The Ember Ever There is a collection of poems I wrote about all the stages I’ve gone through in my recovery journey – from grief to growth.


This beautiful poem reminds me of where I was eight years ago. “It was time to start. It was time to quit.” At that time, I was searching for direction and help online as I also wanted to quit in private. I came upon this site and it became my secret sponsor! Jean’s posts and the posts from other struggling alcoholics trying to quit were extremely helpful. I might have been trying to quit privately but I wasn’t alone. This is my annual check in. If you are here reading this, you probably know you need to quit too. Today is a great day to start!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jean!
Such a beautiful poem!
I’m wondering if you will be at the SheRecovers event in Miami in April? I’d love to meet you; I’m also Canadian, live in Toronto now but from out west.
LikeLike
Thank you ❤️ I’m not able to be in Miami and will miss seeing everyone. But if I visit Toronto someday I will connect with the local SR group there, and wherever I go. I’d love to meet up so let me know if you visit Alberta!
LikeLike
What a lovely poem. I “started” on January 1,2022 and am so happy about to go to bed with a full month of sobriety under my belt! The first couple of weeks were super hard but now I don’t find it so hard. I just do not want to go back to the weight of it all. I haven’t told anyone yet even my husband. I think he thinks I am doing dry January which was perfect because it gave me time to have this all to myself. I didn’t want anyone to thwart my motivation. But tonight I go to sleep knowing I am sticking with this and so content with my decision. Thank you Jean. I read your blog daily and listen to the Bubble Hour every day.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing ❤️so happy for you.
LikeLike
Thankyou Jean. When I gave up drinking nine years ago I was unsure how this would play out. Countless times I had tried for a night, a few days,a week but always caved in. But it is now all in the past. Your posts and your readers were my buddies and my light. Nine years of amazing blessings. To all of those people who are starting out on this journey, go back to Jean’s first posts and read the comments from 2012/13/14/15………You will be inspired.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s so wonderful to see someone writing poetry in this day and age. Your poem reminds me of something remarkable I once read, which is that the word that has been the most poorly translated in the bible is, “repent.” The original word ACTUALLY meant, “pivot” or “re-orient.” Isn’t that fascinating?? So, your poem has a lot of spiritual meaning and is right on, IMHO! Finally, I’d like to add that you are more or less single-handedly responsible for me having attained 3.5 years of sobriety. I can never thank you enough for your service to the world.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the poem, it came at a perfect time. Happy New Year!
Sent from my iPhone
>
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Jean! You have been an awesome inspiration to me for a long time. Happy 2022 to you!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this beautiful and empowering poem! I am on my millionth day 2 but feel much hope in my heart and gratitude ❤️ Thank you 🙏
LikeLike
You’re welcome and I know you can do it. Keep going. You deserve the freedom you’re after.
LikeLike
In January 2021, I gave myself the best gift ever: sobriety. You helped me along the way with your podcasts, your poems, your example… Thank you. Happy New Year.
LikeLike
I have tears of happiness! It’s an honour to know these things have been helpful. Happy new year!
LikeLike
Thank you Jean. You are a true inspiration. I have been struggling off and on to quit drinking. I know that I feel much better sober, but somehow I am still drawn back to my drinking lifestyle. I plan to give it up again in January. I find that listening to podcasts such as yours, working out and attending AA meetings help me. Keeping busy is key!
Happy New Year and all the best for 2022!
Laura in Edmonton
LikeLiked by 1 person
Edmonton!! A fellow Albertan ❤️Stick with it, Laura. None is easier than some. It gets better.
LikeLike
This is beautiful! This gift from you is perfectly timed for my next step in recovery. ❤️ You and thank you!
Happy New Year!
LikeLiked by 1 person