I recently decided to reconnect with a part of my life I had left behind. After graduating from Longwood College, I disconnected from Zeta Tau Alpha, the women’s fraternity I belonged to. For years, I avoided because college left me with memories of sadness, low self-worth, and heavy drinking. Even though I loved the women around me, I never felt whole or that I had anything worthy to offer. I masked deep insecurity with alcohol and unhealthy relationships, always believing I didn’t measure up. When one of my dearest sisters passed away recently, I was overwhelmed by an unexpected wave of love and appreciation for the bond we shared as sisters in ZTA and the Panhellenic Council. In her honor, I rejoined Zeta through ZTAlways, the fraternity's Virtual Alumnae Membership Experience. It felt like a meaningful step toward healing and reconnection.

Alcoholism is often called the “lonely disease,” and that hollow feeling stayed with me long after graduation. Alcohol temporarily filled the emptiness, but when it wore off, I felt even more alone and broken. Today, I fight that old narrative by choosing connection intentionally. Social media is one way I do that. It now serves a deeper purpose in my life as a recovering alcoholic with a vestibular disorder that often keeps me physically isolated. Isolation is dangerous for me, and connection is my medicine. So, thank you for showing up for me today. 😉

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For more information, visit me at ⁠⁠⁠recoverydailypodcast.com⁠⁠⁠ or email me at ⁠rachel@recoverydailypodcast.com⁠.

Visit my Etsy shop, Recovery Upcycling. https://www.etsy.com/shop/RecoveryUpcycling

To learn more about vestibular disorders visit https://vestibular.org

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