28/11/2025
The Spark Was Never the Substance
There was a time in my life when going on adventures meant something completely different
Waterfalls
Bushwalks
Old houses
Road trips with no destination
I loved all of it⊠but back then, I honestly thought I only loved it because I was drunk, high or chasing that artificial rush that comes with the drunk or high feeling
And when I quit drinking and stopped doing drugs regularly, I had this huge fear
âWhat if I lose my spark?â
What if I stop wanting to explore?
What if I donât have the motivation?
What if the things I love only felt good because I was out of it?
But these last 2.5 years have surprised me more than anything
I still love adventuring
I still love seeing new places
I still love a long bushwalk, a good waterfall, a historic building, a day out in nature
The difference now?
I donât need a drink or a couple pts to get myself out the door
My energy isnât a rollercoaster
Iâm not recovering one day just to âboost myselfâ the next
Iâm just⊠steady
Level
Motivated in a way thatâs actually sustainable
And it made me realise something
Maybe the spark was never the substance
Maybe the spark was always ME
Maybe the drugs and alcohol didnât give me motivation, maybe they just got in the way of the motivation I already had
So if someone out there is scared to make a change because they think theyâll âloseâ the things they enjoyâŠ
This is your reminder that you probably enjoy them because theyâre yours
Because they light you up
Because they connect you to the world and to yourself
The substance wasnât the magic, I was
Would love to hear your experiences
Much Love Ebs âšđ©”
đ· Freezing cold water đParsons Falls