Actress Valerie Bertinelli expresses her eagerness for the arrival of fall while sharing her realization about the "dog days" of summer. She also reflects on her six-month sobriety journey and its transformative impact on her life.
On Sunday, Valerie Bertinelli took to social media to bid farewell to summer, sharing a poolside selfie alongside a heartfelt caption. The actress and former Food Network star expressed her excitement for the approaching fall season while shedding light on the true meaning behind the "dog days" of summer.
Valerie Bertinelli Embraces Autumn, Reflects on the 'Dog Days' of Summer
"August 11. The last dog day of summer," Bertinelli wrote in her Instagram post, accompanied by a radiant photo. "I have spent 64 years not knowing what that actually meant, so I looked it up."
Bertinelli's research revealed that the term "dog days" holds no direct connection to canines but instead refers to the star Sirius, also known as the "dog star." The 20 days leading up to Sirius's visibility in the eastern sky before sunrise and the 20 days following mark the period known as the "dog days," characterized by intense heat.
Valerie Bertinelli Embraces Autumn, Reflects on the 'Dog Days' of Summer
"And it's hot as f---," Bertinelli quipped.
With the dog days behind her, Bertinelli's caption expressed her eagerness for the arrival of fall. "Anyway, this is me waiting patiently for the fall equinox," she wrote.
Valerie Bertinelli Embraces Autumn, Reflects on the 'Dog Days' of Summer
Valerie Bertinelli has been open about her journey to sobriety since participating in "Dry January" earlier this year. Last month, she celebrated a significant milestone by reaching six months without alcohol.
"I don't need anything to amplify my happiness right now," Bertinelli told People magazine in April, explaining her decision to quit drinking. "I feel high just on life. I recently went out to dinner with a friend, and I had ginger ale in a wine glass. And it felt like I was celebrating."
While Bertinelli acknowledges that her commitment to sobriety may not be permanent, she has found great fulfillment in her alcohol-free lifestyle. "I was still going through a lot of crap, and I knew that I wanted to be on the road of intentionally finding my core happiness," Bertinelli said of her initial decision.
"Food and alcohol were in my toolkit for soothing and ignoring s--- that I shouldn't be soothing and ignoring," she added. "I would go out and have a fun time, drink, and the next day, I'd be so sad. Because there was so much sadness in my life, and alcohol amplified it. I think it's important to really not numb emotional pain."
Bertinelli believes that emotions are valuable information, and by confronting them rather than suppressing them, she has experienced significant growth. "I'm actually shocked at how hard it's not [hard to give up]. Because, for a long time, I leaned on it," she said. "Right now, I love how I feel more than how the alcohol makes me feel."
One unexpected outcome of Bertinelli's sobriety has been her weight loss. After participating in "Dry January," she noticed a positive change in her body composition.
"So, here's a nice little side effect of Dry January," she shared on social media. "These jeans that I'm wearing were so tight a few months ago that I couldn't comfortably button them. Now, they're so loose it's time for me to go down a size."
Bertinelli has been vocal about her health and wellness journey, sharing her experiences with fans and followers. Her open and honest approach to life's challenges has inspired many, demonstrating the transformative power of embracing change and prioritizing well-being.
