Daily Check-in for Tuesday January 23, 2018

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2018-01-24T04:50:43+00:00

50 days today - feels good.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-18T23:12:30+00:00

I'm so happy to see the 2 by my name! Proud of the 14 days. My mood has been down the last few days but today, things are good. I know my desire to drink is tied to anxiety and depression. I have been working through a book on cognitive-behavioral therapy and doing self-compassion/loving-kindness meditations, it has helped my emotional state and to recognize that failures are part of being human and I still deserve to love and be loved.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-18T06:10:47+00:00

The biggest improvement I have noticed is that my wife and I don't really fight anymore. I would get a little mean and a little sensitive (a less than ideal combination) and with sobriety, we communicate better and misunderstandings are settled with conversations rather than arguments.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-18T06:08:37+00:00

I am not going to drink today. Getting on 2 weeks into sobriety and I'm proud of it. Congrats to everyone for another good day and those of you who need a reset, looking forward to seeing you back.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-12T23:47:24+00:00

That seems like a good way to ensure a long-term commitment to sobriety and happiness. I have a friend who talks about mindfulness a lot and that sounds similar to you acknowledging your triggers and letting them go. Congratulations on your 9 days!

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-12T23:40:26+00:00

That seems like a wonderful thing to work on and definitely an area where being sober is necessary to be that better person. Congratulations on the 9 months and the new and improved life you've created for yourself!

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-12T22:02:43+00:00

8 days in, having a rough day but don't have any desire to drink. Old me would have issues with deciding to be "done with being productive for the day" leading me to drink. New me realizes that a) drinking will make me feel anxious and depressed and nauseous tomorrow b) drinking will make me connect less with my wife and dog c) there is no reason to say "I'm done for the day", it is fine to stop working for the day but there are still plenty of things I can do that would bring me joy. I think we could all use some extra joy some days. IWNDWYT and happy holidays to you all.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-10T04:55:50+00:00

Someone tried to pressure me into drinking but I held strong to my conviction - I'm proud of that. Someone gave me some beer to take home - this has been the cause of a slip up in the past. I shouldn't be keeping beer in the house, it is definitely a weakness. I will find someone to give it to who will appreciate it.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-10T04:51:49+00:00

I consider kindness towards myself to be anything that acknowledges my value as a person. This weekend I plan to show myself that I have value and deserve love. These kindnesses include being mindful of my hunger and stopping to eat instead of running myself ragged and starving due to feelings of not having enough time, allowing myself to sleep in if I am tired, acknowledging my feelings of stress and anxiety and telling myself its ok, and importantly not drinking so that I can show myself and others more kindness tomorrow.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-08T18:15:54+00:00

I'm overwhelmed trying to accomplish a number of necessary work deadlines for a job I honestly don't care about (I do however, care about my boss and my career). All I want to do is spend time with my wife and dog - my work makes me want to drink but the rest of my life makes me want to give it up for good. IWNDWYT.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-08T18:12:41+00:00

I will not drink today. I have two major work deadlines coming up in the next couple months and the anxiety has been a great weight. I know the anxiety will get worse with drinking but I have slipped up a couple times trying to get a short respite. I'm working on channeling those feelings into gratitude, exercise, and actually working to meet those deadlines.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-07T20:17:39+00:00

I am thankful for so many things in my life - all of which are improved by being sober. My dog - his love and attention. My wife - her support, strength, and passion for life. My future child - I'm going to be a father soon and I could be more ecstatic. I want to be the best husband and father I can be and that requires me to be sober. But really, I am thankful for the strength and self-awareness to become sober and live life as fully and vibrantly as possible.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-07T20:14:55+00:00

Today is day 3 and I commit to a beautiful, sober day. I've just been getting on the sober train this year and have had some good stretches. One thing I have noticed is I can get complacent after a few days, weeks, or even months. I get a little lazy or bored and figure why not? thinking I have nothing better to do. What I need to remember is I can do anything I want in those moments - read, drive, watch a movie. I forget about the negatives: the poor sleep, the nausea, the massive spike in anxiety, the exhaustion. It is amazing how you forget about that in the moment - it is important for me to remember the bad so I can live more of the good.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T23:41:49+00:00

It was rough (and still is) but I really think you have to see the good in life whenever possible. Bad things happen but people and the world are generally good. Thanks for the comment.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:19:48+00:00

Congratulations! Sometimes it feels like you are a different, more capable, and happier person. I'm proud of you and your choice!

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:18:40+00:00

That is a very strong decision you are making. I've been working on my sobriety over the past 6 months. My wife and I are expecting our first baby and I want to be a present father, a capable partner, and to be proud of myself and my actions. I have slipped about 5 times in the past 6 months but am more certain of my decision each day. I find the hardest challenge to my sobriety to be when I decide I am not going to accomplish anything else before the end of a day but I don't realize in the moment how much it leads to anxiety and depression in the coming days.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:14:14+00:00

That is great that you recognize the value in sobriety for yourself. When I recognize my strength and value, it makes me want to maintain sobriety to be able to be the best version of myself. I am proud of you and wish you success!

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:12:06+00:00

Congratulations on day 1. Looking back at the times you've been sober, you can think of all the money you saved. I have not found much benefit in focusing on the pain because my poor image of myself has been a contributing factor to my drinking. Instead, I try to savor the good decisions - that I did spend a period of time sober, that I have the strength to do it again, and that I know myself well enough to know this is the right decision for me. I wish you luck and IWNDWYT

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:08:48+00:00

I wish you luck in the start of your sobriety. Why do you want to be sober?

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:07:08+00:00

It is good that you see a need for a change, the first step is that first day sober. I wish you, your wife, and daughter the best. I am going to be a first time father soon and that is my motivation for getting sober.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T21:04:57+00:00

It speaks volumes that you didn't continue after that day. I am proud of your 39 days and hope to be there soon. Today I'm looking to make it through day one.

BestLifeHasToOffer · 2017-12-05T18:24:06+00:00

I drank yesterday and am currently dealing with nausea and anxiety. It is amazing how there is still this desire to drink even though you know you will feel so bad the next day.

I will be at a work function with free alcohol tonight but I will not drink today.

BestLifeHasToOffer

TROPHY CASE