From Groundhog Day to Spring Awakening—When I Finally Faced the addy Shadow
Beeep Beeep Beeep
It's April 2021 and my alarm on my phone wakes me up. As I take a deep breath, I hear the same dialog that’s been going on in my head since the moment I admitted to myself:
I am powerless over Addy prescription:
D.J. #1: Okay, campers, rise and shine, and don’t forget your booties ‘cause its cooooold out there today.
DJ #2: It’s coooold out there every day. What is this, Miami Beach?
DJ #1: Not hardly. And you know, you can ex[ect hazardous travel later today with that, you know, that, uh blizzard thing?
DJ #2: Mockingly That blizzard - thing. That blizzard- ting. Who well, here’s the report! The National Weather Service is calling for a “big blizzard thing!”
DJ #1: Yesss. They are. But you know, there’s another reason why today is especially exciting.
DJ #2: Especially cold!
DJ #1: Especially cold, okay, but the big question on everyone lips…
DJ #2: On their chapped lips…
DJ #1: On their chapped lips, right: Do ya think Janet is gonna take an Addy today?
DJ #2: Janet Oliva! From Cleveland, Ohio!?
DJ #2: That’s right, its…
DJ #1 and #2 [in unison] GROUNDHOG DAY!!!
(Original script from Groundhog Day (1993) — lightly edited and revised by yours truly.)
Groundhog Day, celebrated every year on February 2nd, comes with a quirky tradition: if the groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, it gets scared and retreats—meaning six more weeks of winter. If it doesn’t see its shadow, it signals an early spring.
For a long time, every day I woke up feeling like I was facing my own shadow self. The shadow self represents the parts of us we tend to hide or deny—our fears, insecurities, unhealthy habits, or emotions we've been told are “bad.” It's the side of us we avoid, but it still shows up—in our self-sabotage, our projections, and the patterns we can’t seem to shake.
Instead of confronting my shadow, I did what the groundhog does—I retreated into what felt safe and familiar: a medication that no longer served me. And like the movie Groundhog Day, I found myself stuck in a loop, reliving the same struggles over and over.
But here’s the truth: the shadow isn’t something to fear. It’s actually the starting point for real healing and growth. When we meet it with compassion instead of shame, we begin to understand ourselves more deeply. Integrating the shadow means accepting every part of who we are—not to justify it, but to work with it. That’s where transformation begins.
Ironically, spring—the season of Groundhog Day—offers the perfect energy for this kind of inner work. Spring feels like a reset. The days get longer, the air shifts, and everything begins to bloom again. Nature reminds us that change isn’t just possible—it’s natural. Trees don’t force themselves to grow, and flowers don’t stress about blooming. They simply follow their rhythm.
That same energy makes spring a powerful time to set meaningful goals—especially something life-changing like getting sober. It’s about clearing space in your life for peace, clarity, and genuine connection. Progress may feel slow at first, but like all things that grow, it builds. And day by day, as the world gets lighter, so do you.
Now it's springtime again and I’m 3 years and 8 months Addy Free. I no longer wake up in fear—because I’ve faced the fear that once felt impossible: living life without Addy. That doesn’t mean my shadow is completely gone, but without Addy’s shadow consuming so much space around me, there’s finally room to grow. I can breathe easier, move forward, and see the light on the other side.
April marks a new season in your life and it is a great time to start your Addy Free journey. The community is here to help you through and if you need extra assistance, I would love to chat:
(insert one on one client booking)
