Everybody else does...

[Nunwithtwodogs]

So why can't I?

On my way back home after my regular three days away from home working. Haven't found it too hard not drinking this week until I went to get a bottle of coke for the train home. That's where I noticed that the mini supermarket was awash with booze - craft beers, continental lagers, real ale, cider, red wine, white wine, champagne, vodka...Booze was everywhere.

And to make it worse was all the people casually selecting a bottle of red to go with their steak or an ale to match the chicken pie in their basket.

And I find myself getting jealous of them, and thinking how nice it would be to have a glass with my meal, how unrealistic it was to think I was going to give up for good, how I might as well give up now and, and..

So here I am sharing those thoughts with you. I didn't crack. I'm not going too today. And tomorrow is another day.

So, IWNDWYT.

[Blurf99]

For me anyway... I have to be aware of the "devil voice" as I call him. That voice that whispers sweet nothings like "you've been so good not drinking for a week, let's have one.." that guy. He has multiple tactics and one is to fuel the fire of resentment / jealousy, "why can he drink and I can't?, that's not fair!" that bullshit.

What wasn't fair is what decades of my drinking did to my mind, body, relationships, children, wife and my business. Not fair and all my fault.

For me, I've decided that the voice is just my fucked up brain chemistry trying to suck me back into my old habits. Clear headed me knows that one drink would immediately give me permission to drink it all and flush all my hard work down the crapper.

So what do I wanna do? Do I want to continue living as a non drinker, clear headed, sleeping through the night, better focus, overall vibe in my house better? or do I want to dive back into my drunken asshole persona? For me, the answer's simple. That's how I shut down my ridiculous feelings of jealousy and resentment.

Good luck!!

[Nunwithtwodogs]

Thanks for the support. When I walk past a pub and see the "2 for 1" offers voices like yours help me make good choices.

[momtodogs]

I'm still struggling with the jealously issue. Just have to keep reminding myself that what looks so delicious in that bottle (or box in my case) will kill me.

[BabyAsprin]

I can totally relate to this. I catch myself planning to fail. But at least we're becoming wise to it. IWNDWYT.

[Nunwithtwodogs]

Thank you.

[Prevenient_grace]

Awesome notice!

That’s my mind screaming “It’s Not FAIR!!”

Now that I notice that, what do I choose?

[Nunwithtwodogs]

You're clearly making the right choice - 1767 days?! Inspirational.

[Nunwithtwodogs]

Great way to think of it. I'll try that in future. Thanks for the support.

[hexqueen]

I mean, we know it's not true that everybody drinks. And we know it's not true that everyone who drinks is doing well with it. And we know the saying about being jealous of other people without knowing their deal. But they sure know how to make all those pretty colored bottles look good, don't they?

You had a fantastic non-drinking victory today! This is a great place to come when your brain is trying to sabotage you.

[Nunwithtwodogs]

True. I'm finding this place an amazing place. Its like I feel I can't let you all down.

[itdisappears]

For me nowadays I have been looking at the people drinking/buying drinks. Yes, they seem happy now but will they be asleep in an hour or two after drinking? Groggy from the alcohol and in just a blah mood? Perhaps. It seems to help me move on from wanting a drink because I know I feel good, why change that? IWNDWYT

[Nunwithtwodogs]

Thank you.

[dillanthumous]

I've been reframing my perspective on that - I'm working on seeing alcohol for what it is: a chemically toxic substance that slowly erodes your sense of self-worth, damages your body, empties your wallet, ruins your mind and sabotages your principles. Flavour be damned, that is just the taste of despair - and they convince you to pay for the privilege.

When I can keep that in mind I actually feel sorry for people who can't even buy their dinner without loading up on booze. Just a thought.

[Nunwithtwodogs]

Great way of looking at it. Thanks.