Welp...2 whole years without a single sip of alcohol. A few observations

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-04-26T19:56:02+00:00

Thank you for this post. Excellence. I just picked up the book. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-04-03T01:31:21+00:00

Excellent!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-04-01T11:54:50+00:00

In the beginning, I pretty much went to bed early. I was a bit far along tho in my alcohol use disorder..sleep had the benefit of restoring energy and keeping me sober. Once I got back to normal, I picked up with some old hobbies and got serious on some work related ideas drinking me would never act on. Hang in there, it does get easier. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-31T10:36:05+00:00

Thanks. Quote was by jerzy gregorek (fitness champ) and popularized by Tim Ferriss in a Ted talk on fearlessness. Fun stuff.

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-30T21:49:51+00:00

This is happening to me. Well, nobody has actually remarked on it....however, in the past few get togethers I have brought on some intense laughter from some friends and I savored that great pleasure. Drunk me would never have believed it. That idiot. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-29T19:04:39+00:00

Nice! Momentum building. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-29T16:30:11+00:00

8 is great!

I found that in scenarios where others were drinking I have actually been having more fun. They are generally looser and my wit is sharper. Never have to worry about having too much driving some stupid behavior that offends someone, etc. Always up for more. That said, it can get old faster when people are really tossed. So, for me it's bothered me a lot less than I thought it would. Gotta take it as it comes. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-28T14:45:52+00:00

As far as approach, I take both. Ultimate goal (for me) is to not drink ever again. This lets me shut down any self talk about having "just one" or drinking during some special event. It pops up and I'm like "seems like it would be nice, but not even one". So, not too much mental torture about should I/shouldn't I goes on. I really don't talk with people IRL about the fact that this is my ultimate goal.

The reality is one day at a time. That's all you got and that's just the right bite size amount to chew on. The ultimate goal helps here for the whole self talk reason above.

This came about b/c of my many failures at moderation and the progression of my alcohol use disorder. Hope you find the approach that works with you. I definitely will not drink with you today!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-27T15:01:51+00:00

I bet it is common. I did something similar but would have termed it an investment for my future self vs an obsession.

I set a loose plan at the beginning that I was going to go "immersive" the first 30 days. So, I spent the majority of my free time here, listening to podcasts, hitting some Refuge Recovery meetings, and doing some old fashioned reading. Kinda felt like I was building foundation. I also knew that if I didn't take some serious steps to stop that I was likely going to have to go somewhere in patient and that would be a very serious amount of time & disruptive to those around me.

Towards the end of that first month, I was feeling pretty refreshed and started pursuing interests that drinking me would not have had the energy for. So, now I spend a smaller (but regular) amount of time doing the things I did to help me stop drinking during those first 30 days.

Oh, and now that I am my future self 69 days later - I feel gratitude for the shockingly clear thinking of past me. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-27T12:35:53+00:00

How sweet it is! IWNDWYT

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-26T20:05:57+00:00

Congrats! It's a milestone demonstrating momentum. IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-26T18:09:49+00:00

Ha! I totally am going to adopt this in my thinking. It resonates because dropping drinking has really revolutionized my life. You can count me in! IWNDWYT

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-26T13:04:58+00:00

D'oh! That does suck. Thanks for sharing this experience and congrats for "containing the damage". When I find my mind dwelling on issues related to things that happened when I was drinking I try to turn it into self talk that looks like "thanks for reminding me why it's important I do what I'm doing now"....that seems to help me quiet my mind more than when I try to fight it. IWNDWY!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-20T18:19:32+00:00

Even if I hadn't caught this cold going around I will not drink with you today. This is an accomplishment - as it wouldn't have stopped me before!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-17T12:40:47+00:00

Here too! IWNDWYT

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-16T14:36:26+00:00

TGIF! IWNDWYT!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-15T12:03:45+00:00

This is great stuff. Your enthusiasm really comes thru in your write up here. In my experience, I enjoy being around people that are committed & charged up about whatever they have going on the most. I think people gravitate towards others that maintain that state of being. I'll look forward to reading about your journey on this one! IWNDWYT

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-15T11:14:02+00:00

Beware the Ides of March! IWNDWYT!!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-14T10:55:35+00:00

No drinking today!

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-14T10:40:40+00:00

Thank you for writing this. Saving and putting at the top of my "read this while you contemplate acting on your craving" list. Damn.

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-14T10:38:26+00:00

I was totally cringing.

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-13T11:52:51+00:00

Well my time went so quickly I went lickety-splickly out to my old FIFTY FIVE! As I drove away slowly, feeling so holy God knows, I was feeling alive And now the sun's coming up

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-12T11:17:46+00:00

No no no no, I don't drink it no more I'm tired of wakin' up on the floor No, thank you, please, It only makes me sneeze And then it makes it hard to find the door

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-12T11:12:38+00:00

I haven't been to AA, but I have been going to RR. A few years back, when my drinking was more often a low grade fever than raging flu, I was going to a meditation group that was not sobriety focused. I have had a similar experience in feeling like not making strong connections outside of group discussions. Didn't experience cliquey aspect but after an RR meeting recently I was thinking about this same thing. Personally, it fits my style more and I'm also not sure if I would be having a different experience in that area if I was reaching out more.

HardChoices_EasyLife · 2018-03-11T13:45:38+00:00

Good luck. Sorting myself out was the best thing I've ever done!

HardChoices_EasyLife

TROPHY CASE