Gardening Through Recovery with Brian P.

My name is Brian and I was blessed to spend my time at Mountainside, and I am a better man for it.

When you go from being a functioning alcoholic to a life of sobriety, no longer trapped in a bottle, you find that the things you were most passionate about come back bigger and stronger. I went to Mountainside in August and when I came back home in September, my garden was gone. It was a neglected, weeded mess just as I was. But thanks to my time at Mountainside, the friendships I made, and the practices I learned, I have many passions back in my life. One of my great passions and a big part of my self-care is my garden, which is an awesome place. I spend about an hour a day caring for it, and it is the best crop garden I have had in my lifetime! Not only is my garden a great method of self-care, but it is so much healthier and tastier than what you can find in a supermarket. My garden has helped build a sense of pride.

I have also always been a musician – ever since I first heard of Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Motorhead, Iron Maiden, and Hendrix. I also love Waylon Jennings, Willie, Mr. Cash, Merle, and Mr. Jones. Now, my passion for music is stronger than it was when I first learned to play, all because of my sobriety.

These days I spend much more time playing, learning, and discovering music. I am very eclectic in my music taste, meaning it could be a Sinatra day, Judas Priest or some good ole country ! Because of my surrendering at Mountainside, I have a new lease on life.

I am a better employee, a better father, a better son, and a better human being. Anything that I used to do, I can do better now. I can truly be a good friend and no longer have a monkey on my back. I love to cook, experiment, and try new things. It has been tough with this epidemic and not being able to go to meetings like I used to, but fortunately, I have many sober people in my life, which helps. I also have a new faith and love of life these days – but when in doubt, I just crank up the heavy metal and can turn a bad day into a blessed day! I am working on a new type of self-care: meditation. I got my first ever bonsai tree – I’ve wanted one since I saw Karate Kid, and now I have one to shape and nurture like I do my new life.