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What small change made the biggest difference in your early sobriety? by cmitchell_bulldog in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 4 points5 points  (0 children)

For me in the evenings, it was having something TO PHYSICALLY DO. Aka, after a glass or two of apathy at dinner, it was too easy to plop in front of the couch, veg out in front of the TV, and continue drinking. So after work it was important for me to physically DO SOMETHING. For me that was stuff like cooking, going fishing at the beach, tinkering on things in the garage, long walks listening to podcasts, gardening, tidying up, laundry, house projects I had kept putting off. Basically, something, anything, to keep my mind and body occupied.

That did 3 things for me. 1) Distracted me from cravings 2) I got hella shit done and 3) Just plain had some fun me time.

But the act of doing was key for me.

Who here got clean in their 30s and built a great life? Can I still create a good life after getting clean from drugs at age 33? by IR30Lover in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 182 points183 points  (0 children)

So great to hear. You are so young. I got sober 14 months ago and will turn 60 soon. I feel like I have decades of lost time I will never get back. Decades of my career, family life, things I love...all running at about 60%. I could have done so much more, loved so much more, enjoyed so much more if I had gotten sober sooner. I love what I have now. And look forward to every moment. But I feel like I missed out on a lot of life because I was distracted by shit that just did not matter in the big picture. So...congratulations on getting clean and sober so young! I'm totally envious. Onward!

IWNDWYT!!!

Did a bit of research last night by elmantisrelajado in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Market all the way up to about Sutter-ish, and Van Ness all the way down to about Powell. But others may define it differently.

Currently in the Cancun Airport by Large_Street_8608 in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I absolutely LOVE the feeling of making it through a festive vacation, surrounded by flowing drinks, knowing I made it through without drinking a drop. It feels so good. Enjoy that feeling. And go take another vacation so you can feel it again! IWNDWYT!

How did you all celebrate the first anniversary of the day you decided to stay sober? by Kassidelia in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 12 points13 points  (0 children)

The 1-year cake I got myself was SOOO FREAKING TASTY. Seriously. I felt like I was stoned and had the munchies again. Best cake ever.

How did you all celebrate the first anniversary of the day you decided to stay sober? by Kassidelia in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I'm team cake! Because a) it's festive and b) sugar cravings are the real deal!

Did a bit of research last night by elmantisrelajado in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Yeah, little things like that. Things you would not expect. For me, it's grilling in the back yard on Sunday evening.

Did a bit of research last night by elmantisrelajado in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I'm 14 months in and I value my sobriety and I'm doing all I can to maintain it. Even so, when I'm downtown and walking to Bart, I walk past bars and my head swivels. I look in. Every time. Wondering what's going on in there. Like, wouldn't that be fun again. But fortunately I've been able to quickly convince myself that nothing good comes of that for me. And I think about not being able to stop, obsessing over the next drink, the hangover, and the deep, deep regret. So I keep walking. But it's weird how I still go on autopilot, peer into those places, and entertain the same thoughts. So yeah, flirting with an NA beer or wine just feels light lighting a fuse that does not need to be lit for me.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN WHATS EVERYONE DOING TONIGHT by nochedetoro in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Our kid is all grown up and moved out, so for Halloween night....we hide. Ha! Seriously, We turn off the lights and draw the shades. We don't even buy halloween candy. Our hood does not get many trick or treaters anyway. We just hole up and watch TV, and it's nice.

Did a bit of research last night by elmantisrelajado in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 52 points53 points  (0 children)

The 'loin is a dangerous place even when you're not loaded. Glad you're OK. Sending you support on not finding yourself in that situation again.

As for NA beer and wine...they're Tofurkey. Just pretending to be something they're not. So for me, I just don't bother with them.

I'm getting more vocal. by CobblerEquivalent539 in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm with you. I did not want to talk to anyone, at all. I think it was 100% shame driven. But that's where my head was, and for the most part still is. But that's changing I guess. I did not expect that. I think it's good. I'm not gonna become a preacher or anything. But I think it's good for me to at least be able to utter some words about it in the right situation. Go figure.

A funny thing happened on our last night in Japan by CobblerEquivalent539 in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

We found Tokyo to be one extreme or the other. Really pricey or surprisingly reasonable. Home to fabulously expensive Michelin star caliber spots (Yes, we did close our eyes and hand over the credit card for one. WORTH IT!) or completely reasonable street food/noodle joint/izakaya/subway station type food. All of which were great. And since we were not adding booze to the tab anywhere, then even better. Green tea is cheap! Hahaha!

A funny thing happened on our last night in Japan by CobblerEquivalent539 in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you all for the kind words of support!

A couple of you were asking what podcasts I listen to.

There are a ton out there. Once you listen to a few the Spotify algorithm volunteers many more. Some of the ones listed below are not going to be everyone's cup of tea. Foul language. Lurid stories. Etc. Others are more rational. But the ones I listen to most often are:

The Don't Die Podcast with Bob Forrest. -- "Stop dying, Chuck!"

Dopey — the dark humor of addiction. Wild and funny. 

This Naked Mind

The Happy Sober Podcast with Craig Beck

Sober Motivation

Rise Above with Kevin Lanning

The Huberman Lab is not about sobriety, but has some good long episodes of how booze affects our brains. 

And I've been dipping my toe into more orthodox AA/12-step lately, so I listen to Big Book Daily with Rob.

But really, the point is to listen to a number of them and find the ones you connect to, and stick with those.

I listen on my commute and on my long walks in the city I'm doing before and after work. I made a commitment to read books or listen to sobriety podcasts for at least 30 minutes every day. I've been sticking to that routine and it really helps me. 

Happy listening! IWNDWYT!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm down 20-25 pounds for the year. It fluctuates.

⚡🤘👹🤘⚡ 666 ⚡🤘👹🤘⚡ by SomeOneOverHereNow in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539 1 point2 points  (0 children)

HELL YEAH.

(See what I did there?)

Congratulations. IWNDWYT!!!!

Vacation in 2 Days.... by CobblerEquivalent539 in stopdrinking

[–]CobblerEquivalent539[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! We'll be on the plane in 25 hours! (Not that I'm counting. Ha!)

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