I recently watched an interview with Ulrika Jonsson, who just celebrated one year of sobriety. You might have seen it too. I’ve realised I’m drawn to stories of recovery - there’s something powerful about them. I think it’s the hope they carry: that no matter where you start, anyone can change. Anyone can turn their life around for the better.

Through sobriety, people seem to reconnect with forgotten parts of themselves and learn to love who they are. Their recovery interrupts negative thought patterns, reshapes old habits, and opens the door to a more fulfilling, renewed way of life.

Ulrika also spoke about finding a kind of inner peace and how she now starts her mornings with a gratitude list. You could tell it still feels a bit awkward for her - she even admitted it feels a bit “wanky” to say out loud - which, if anything, makes it more genuine. It’s proof that even those who once dismissed these ideas can discover something new. This small daily habit has shifted how she feels: instead of beginning each day angry or weighed down by negativity, she starts with more calm and openness.

I guess it's a pretty powerful reminder that no matter how stuck we feel in old patterns, we still have the power to change how we respond to life - and, over time, how we see ourselves.

Another theme that often comes up in stories of sobriety is the idea of a higher power. I mean, I believe in some kind of higher power - I can’t say exactly what it is, but I feel there’s something bigger than us. That we’re not completely alone in all of this, which is a comforting thought. I also believe that things will work out as they’re meant to, if we allow them to - and maybe that’s because of this higher power.

What draws me most to these stories is how deeply relatable they feel, no matter who’s sharing them. So many of us struggle with self-doubt, feelings of not being good enough, or the belief that everyone else has life figured out. Then you see someone like Ulrika - who, from the outside, seems confident and composed - speak openly about her own battles with anxiety, pressure, and overwhelm. It’s strangely comforting. It’s a reminder that everyone is fighting something. That you're not alone in how you feel. That change is always possible.

At nearly 58, Ulrika's found a new desire to live, to explore what she’s capable of, and to discover strengths she didn’t know she had. She once believed such a transformation was out of reach. But she no longer holds that old, negative view of herself and instead, she’s reconnecting with the person who was always there - but also becoming someone entirely new.

Sometimes life can feel completely out of our hands. We lose that sense of agency - yes, I know it’s a word everyone’s throwing around these days, but it really matters. That feeling that we still have some say in what happens next. But agency doesn’t mean having no obstacles. It means believing that, even with them, we can still act, still choose, still shape our path. It’s that quiet voice inside that says, “Hey, there’s something only I can do.” And maybe the real journey is about discovering exactly what that is.

And it doesn’t matter where you are in life - change is always possible. Think of your life like a film or a play: the opening scenes set the stage, the middle is where you begin to understand who you really are, and the third act is when everything comes together. Too often, we judge ourselves (and others) based on the earlier chapters, forgetting what could still unfold. But it’s the third act that truly matters: how you choose to show up, the story you decide to tell, and the feelings you leave behind in others.

If your story doesn’t feel complete yet, that just means it isn’t over. You’re still the director - and you still have the power to shape how it ends. Besides, you’re nowhere near the final scene. You might still be living out your third, fourth, or even fifth act. After all, who really knows how many acts your story will have?

If you ever feel like you’re not enough, or that everyone else has it all figured out while you’re falling behind, remember that real, meaningful change is always possible. It’s never too late.

Your story isn’t finished. Maybe the best chapters are still waiting to be written. 🩷