I Missed a Few Articles — Because I Landed in the Hospital
Listening to your body isn’t just wellness talk. In recovery, it’s life-saving.
I missed a few articles.
Maybe you noticed. Maybe you didn’t.
But I did. And I want to tell you why.
It wasn’t because I got behind on deadlines or needed a break.
It was because I ended up in the hospital.
Unexpectedly. Unavoidably. And, in many ways, unwell long before I walked through the ER doors.
I’ve Been Fainting. I’ve Been Dizzy. I’ve Been Avoiding It.
For weeks, I charted my blood pressure — frighteningly low, dangerously unstable.
I felt off. I knew something wasn’t right. I was lightheaded all the time. Standing up felt like floating away.
Still, I put off the doctor. Told myself I could push through. That I was just tired. That I’d go next week.
I minimized what my body was screaming.
Until it didn’t just whisper — it dropped me.
And finally, I went to the doctor.
That appointment turned into “You need to go to the hospital — now.”
And just like that, my world narrowed to IVs, tests, monitors, and the words no person wants to hear from a doctor:
“We need to figure out why your body is shutting down.”
This Wasn’t Burnout. It Was Neglect Disguised as Strength.
In recovery, we learn to suit up and show up.
We learn to fight for our lives.
But sometimes we confuse pushing through with healing.
Sometimes we’re so used to pain, discomfort, and chaos that we forget we’re allowed to stop.
I wasn’t just tired — I was unwell.
And I had ignored the signs long enough for my body to take over.
The Hard Truth: I Broke Trust With Myself Again
It wasn’t with alcohol this time.
It was with my own intuition. My own body.
I told myself I was fine when I wasn’t. I treated symptoms like inconveniences instead of the warnings they were.
And I’m learning now — again — that self-care isn’t optional in recovery.
It’s not a reward I earn.
It’s the foundation I maintain if I want to stay sober, alive, and connected.
What I’m Learning (The Slow, Hard Way)
Listening is active. It’s not just hearing the signs. It’s responding to them.
Postponing care is a form of self-abandonment. One that sobriety doesn’t fix unless I do.
I’m not failing if I need rest, help, or treatment. I’m human. And healing is ongoing.
So yes, I missed a few articles.
But I also caught something bigger. I caught myself in a cycle that was leading me somewhere dangerous.
And that’s a version of sobriety I don’t want to live.
If You’ve Been Putting Something Off, Please Don’t Wait
I know how scary it is to admit something might be wrong.
But it’s scarier to find out in a hospital bed.
If your body is waving red flags — listen.
If something feels off — follow it.
Call the doctor. Cancel the thing. Lay down. Ask for help.
That’s not weakness. That’s trust.
Moving Forward, Gently
I’m healing. Slowly. Tenderly. Honestly.
I’m working on rebuilding the most important relationship of all: the one I have with myself.
The one where I don’t wait until collapse. The one where I check in early, speak up sooner, and listen without delay.
And if you’re on this path too — welcome.
You’re not behind. You’re not failing.
You’re just human. And healing. And maybe learning to trust yourself again, just like me.
Written by Cassie Uptmore for Sober.Buzz
The Buzz with Cassie | Sober.Buzz
