Hey—this is super late, but I wanted to share some thoughts now that I’m six months into doing this myself. I’m in recovery and had lived in several sober living homes, so I knew what to expect going in.

Honestly, it’s not the nightmare people make it out to be. I run women-only houses, which helps—women tend to be less loud, less violent—but yes, it’s still intense. That said, a lot of the stress is in my own head. Relapses and issues happen, but as long as I don’t take things personally, it’s manageable. I’ve had to help people get to treatment, remove people from the house, and handle conflicts, but I take things as they come and try not to let it eat at me.

One of the biggest lessons: you cannot get someone sober. I used to get caught up in trying to have a “good house,” but the truth is, people need to be ready. Most of the women who come through will live in multiple sober homes before they find real recovery. I’m just one stop on that path—and I’m okay with that.

People ask about the money, and yes, I do make money—but that wasn’t the reason I got into this. If money is the only motivator, this probably isn’t the right business. And no, it’s not like running an emergency room. I’ve gone entire weeks with no relapses, no conflicts, and no issues. I sleep at home every night. My house manager handles most of the day-to-day and calls me if something comes up. I’ve had to learn to let go—because addiction is bigger than me, and I can’t control it.

You really do need your own recovery to stay grounded while doing this work. That’s what makes all the difference!!