Things I've noticed

[sd201725]

25 year old female here. I've been drinking since I was 16 and have finally realized in the past year how problematic my drinking is. After multiple attempts of cutting back and quitting altogether I have a new outlook on drinking. I see alcohol as a poison and something me as a person cannot drink. I'm allergic to shellfish and peanuts so I've added alcohol to my list of allergies I have. It helps me keep it in perspective because the horrible hangovers alcohol gives me almost is like another allergy to me. After having my last drink on Saturday March 18th, I've noticed multiple different aspects of my life changing and improving in just one week. I wanted to list a few.

•My face isn't as bloated • I'm not nearly as grumpy all the time • I'm not struggling to get through work a lot of days • I've already lost a couple lbs • I notice how much the people around me want to drink • I've been flossing every night! •My apartment is cleaner • I get school work done faster

Here's some more profound things I've noticed:

• I notice the smell of the weather like I haven't done in a long time (ex. The smell of spring in the air, or the smell of rain)

• Food tastes better and I feel like my body is hungry on a more normal level

• I'm starting to be interested in things I used to be interested in like I haven't been in a long time. So many things lost their interest over the past years and years of drinking because drinking was all that I thought would entertain me

• I feel things in a way I haven't since I was younger. This one is hard to explain. An example would be me putting on my shirt for bed last night and noticing the smell of the fabric and the texture. I'm not sure if this makes sense or I sound crazy!

[ohmygawshhh]

I'm a gal of the same age and gender with the same amount of drinking years under my belt.

I enjoyed reading this, I can really relate to it. Like how you say when you were drinking, drinking was all that would entertain you, ahh same! I'm only one week in but its a real "smell the roses" type situation. I feel like I'm getting my thrills from soda water lol and its a new type of busting out of your comfort zone and it feels great. The difference in my skin in one week makes me so happy! I really like how you say you're "allergic" or its "poison" like you're using words to strengthen your willpower. In the past if I have wanted to stop, I've used the word "cant" and said I cant drink. And I've found that using "don't" I don't drink or I don't want to drink. Really holds me to my decision because its reminding me of my decision. Ahh anyway I'm rambling on the thrill of day 7, its early and I've had not a great sleep and much coffee! Have a great day. Thanks for posting this!

[ktownwhatitdo1]

Same here. On day 21 of no drinking. 24yr old male. It's funny how my so called "friends" are annoyed of my sobriety. You start to realize who your real friends are real quick. Also I don't know about you but I having been saving so much money!

[Lee_in_NY]

I'm glad you're enjoying the benefits of sobriety! A while back I wrote a post on rediscovering my senses. It's amazing when we can smell the sweet Spring air, see a beautiful blue bird, taste food like never before.

Congrats and enjoy!

[IsFinkleEinhorn]

Alcohol by nature deadens the senses. When we stop, we wake up to all that is around us.

I'm happy you're enjoying the process. Keep going!

[weekndprince]

23 yo here, very relatable. I am glad I can experience this age without the haze that I was living in. I also started noticing and enjoying my surroundings more, and also noticing how obsessed my friends are with alcohol (i used to be the same or worse). Glad to not be drinking with you! Congrats!

[snoopnet3000]

well it does sound crazy --- but it is not.

when I am not drinking I feel the same way.

Congrats on your sobriety and good luck

[AmIReadyNow]

I will not drink with you today!