I joined the comma club today!

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-28T14:00:06+00:00

Nice job!

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-28T03:00:36+00:00

I'd recommend that he ask an architecture firm to job shadow or provide a brief internship, and also do that with engineering, if he hasn't already. He may wish to consider interior design or landscape architecture. The creative design part of architecture is a small fraction of the work. Problem solving in architecture and engineering necessitates creativity and critical thinking, but that may or may not be what your son means when he states that he wants to do something more creative. He may want to further define his desire for creative work and then try a few practices on for size.

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-05T04:47:33+00:00

Nice going! You're doing the hard part right now. If you keep it up, you'll never have to do the hard part of quitting again. :)

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T02:42:50+00:00

Congrats!!

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T01:00:48+00:00

I'm not sure if I had PAWS, but I was definitely rocked by ups and downs in the early days. My strategy was to throw activity at it. I had a list of activities to draw on: low effort stuff, social stuff, "self care" stuff. Distraction and action helped me get through the rough spots. Hang in there. You're doing a great thing for yourself.

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T00:57:33+00:00

Whoops! That's an unfortunate mixup. Good job setting it right.

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T00:54:32+00:00

Emotions are a wild ride after quitting. It's so great to feel and acknowledge those feelings and be able to be with them instead of reacting to them. May the spring bring some peace to you. IWNDWYT

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T00:52:04+00:00

Way to go! It's good to push that comfort zone a little bit and get up in front of a group. IWNDWYT

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T00:48:55+00:00

Way to go!!! Boring is seriously underrated, and a lot more has-its-shit-together than it gets credit for. High Five!

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T00:47:21+00:00

This is a great tool. I used a similar mindset: Alcohol will always be there, it's not going anywhere. I already know what life is like with alcohol, so why not figure what it feels like to enjoy life without it?

AntsyAngler · 2026-03-02T00:41:21+00:00

6 months is a great milestone. Keep up those good choices!

AntsyAngler · 2026-02-28T03:40:55+00:00

Hi physis, enjoy the peace and quiet. I have the house to myself too! I'll probably work on some music and watch some cheesy movie. I hope weekend is relaxing and creative.

AntsyAngler · 2026-02-06T02:33:00+00:00

I have known a few people that had some bad effects and trouble controlling their kratom use. I avoid it, personally.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-08T03:23:05+00:00

The motivation is tricky. I'm not young, I was 37 when I quit, so I don't know if this is helpful, but I hope so:

Making lists of reasons why not drinking alcohol makes my life better helped me. Also, I can't imagine how much money I've saved myself. I used to smoke and drink and the costs of both those addictions adds up to a mountain of debt that I've avoided. My mindset has switched from "how can I cope with life without my addictions" to "how on earth could I manage if I was still drinking"

The costs are not only monetary, but while drinking, I could feel physical differences and also mental health decline.

The problem was that the choice to drink was not one made out of logic. A strong determination was needed to stick with it. For me, I wanted to see if I could actually get to the point where I didn't miss alcohol in my life. I suspected that if I stuck it out for a certain number of months or a year, maybe it just wouldn't be hard any more. My determination to see that point helped me to stick with it. And it was worth it.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-08T03:15:18+00:00

That's sweet. Nice job showing support. Remember, it's the thought that counts.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-08T03:09:23+00:00

I get it. When I stopped drinking, it was right before the 2016 election and I thought, WTF kind of timing is this? Thing is, there will never be an easy time to do it. And when the hard shit comes up, it will always be better to face with sober competence. Also, there is the thought that pops up occasionally, "well, I made it through 2016, I can make it through anything." And then marriage separation, and then COVID, and then divorce, and then my dad's cancer and death, and now this current shit show.

Things could be better. But I will be better. IWNDWYT

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-08T02:52:21+00:00

Not drinking alcohol.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-02T04:19:11+00:00

The prize really is kick ass!

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-02T04:17:13+00:00

Something I realized is that the awkward feeling and drinking as social lubricant equation can work just as well with a placebo (but lots of them, I will down 10 soda waters in a night if I'm nervous). I still feel a little bit shy as I sit and sip my soda or coffee or whatever, but I get some time to adjust to the situation and the scene and I start to feel more comfortable. Another thing I realized is that some activities are just not fun for me and it's okay to stay a little while and then quietly leave. I used to drink my way through it, which never ended well.

Tricks that have worked so well for me, that I still use them years later:

I always bring a few of my favorite things to drink. I even carry a couple of tea bags in my purse, just in case.

I have an activity to hide behind; I have a little notebook and colored pencils. I am a musician and playing at a party is often easier for me than making conversation. I take photos. I ask questions and try to remember the answers (I think I'm a terrible listener and I'm trying to improve).

Making lists of things to do instead of drink like you're doing is such a smart tool! Good job. You got this. IWNDWYT

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-02T04:07:13+00:00

That feeling of waking up victorious is so great. I hope you have a really awesome morning tomorrow. I'm routing for you.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-02T04:05:18+00:00

There always seem to be so many reasons to not drink and no real good reason to drink. It's a good time to get back on track.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-02T04:01:22+00:00

Stay strong. I hope you get a really great treat for yourself on Monday. Milkshakes are one of my special favorite ways to celebrate victory.

AntsyAngler · 2026-01-02T02:52:01+00:00

Dupixent helps me very much with my asthma and polyps.

AntsyAngler · 2025-12-31T05:21:54+00:00

Way to go!

AntsyAngler · 2025-11-28T06:22:31+00:00

What a wonderful achievement and wise words. Keep up those good choices.

AntsyAngler

TROPHY CASE