What Does Fell Off The Wagon Mean?

Falling off the wagon is giving up once something tragic happens like losing a loved one or losing a job.

I picture an old west style wagon, rolling along a prairie somewhere, with some poor soul flying off the side and getting left behind.

The problem? It implies someone else is driving and something just knocked you out of your seat.

YOU are the driver. If you did, in fact, fall off, the wagon would stop. Because there’s no driver. So you would also never get left behind. Because it’s right there waiting with you. Get back on it right where you are. It never left. You never left or got left.

In fact, let’s just be honest. You chose something else for a bit. That’s it. There’s no judgment, no shame, no reason to beat yourself up. Just make a new choice right now. That’s it.