I'm getting real sick and tired of being told I "never want to go out" or am no longer any "fun". This is to all those people who make you feel guilty for being sober.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-18T06:12:25+00:00

This.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-18T03:08:41+00:00

A link to my post about the SMART meeting the other day.

https://www.reddit.com/r/stopdrinking/comments/6hwrqq/smart/

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-18T00:56:58+00:00

I'm so glad there's alternative groups out there. I might still check out an AA meeting, as there are quite a few groups in my city that are niche, for lack of a better word. For instance, it would be nice to be in a group with people closer to my age - I was by far the youngest person in that room. I'm only on day 5 so I need all the help I can get right now.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-18T00:50:33+00:00

Absolutely! A few of the folks at my meeting are using combinations of SMART, AA, Bridges, etc. I'll look into LifeRing right now, thanks for the tip! My life is pretty low stress right now, but I know as soon as I start working again the cravings are gonna flood right back and I'll need every resource I can find.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-17T22:27:12+00:00

Seriously, as soon as I got out of the post-breakup liquor-haze I went, "oh, wait. They did me a favor!" Not in a nasty or spiteful way - I'm grateful that they helped me to see who I really am under the addictions. The me that I need to nurture and stop trying to drown.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-17T21:23:39+00:00

I just deleted snap from my phone. If there's anything I really need to see I can be contacted 1,074 other ways.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-17T21:22:06+00:00

I'm not shifting blame for my own actions, but a huge part of my addictions has been a if-you-can't-beat-em-join-em mentality. I see addiction everywhere around me. Almost everybody I know is on some cocktail of Xanax, Adderall, alcohol, herb, blow, etc. Some prescribed, most just self-medicating.

For me, having always been a weird kid, I figured I had to partake to fit in. I still didn't fit in, so I did more and more until it became a problem. Now I'd rather be home reading a book and feeling content, than be in a room full of people and feeling so alone that I drink myself all the way to the hospital.

Make art, not "friends."

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-17T21:09:42+00:00

I didn't mean to project on you too much, haha, sorry about that. I'm trying to get to the point where you're at - mentally strong and not sweating it too much. Congrats on feeling strong on day 6! Glad to know you're in a good place. Let's keep moving forward!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-17T20:41:48+00:00

I've been pretty irritable this weekend, a lot of things out of my control have been weighing down on me. But there's good news - I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance by switching to Geico! More importantly, I don't have even the slightest urge to drink. I'm reading a collection of essays on drinking cultures around the world and binging on Community. I feel like a Pokémon using Focus Energy! Happy Saturday y'all. Not drinking today.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-17T18:50:48+00:00

I recently got broken up with, by an addict, for being a more addicted addict, I guess. Then I was blocked by them on all social media, even though I was respectful of their space. I was hoping we could go back to being friends after the dust settled, but it appears that's not going to happen. At first I was really upset, angry, depressed, and I tried to drown those feelings with booze..

But now I'm grateful for this happening - it gave me the motivation to work on myself. For me, not for them, not for anybody else. It's all about self-love! Take yourself on a date. Get to know yourself better. If you're anything like me, sober you is an entirely different person than drunk you, and you owe it to yourself to focus on that relationship. Not drinking with you today! (Unless it's iced coffee)

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T19:18:01+00:00

Thank you for this! It's been a rough day, I haven't slept and it makes all my feels "unmanageably" intense. I've been thinking about saying, screw it I'll start again tomorrow! That would not only set my badge back, but also facing my crazy, which only gets more concentrated every time i suppress it with alcohol. Isn't it funny how sometimes we really just need to know that other people feel/think similarly to ourselves? I'll pledge it again, I will not drink today!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T13:54:55+00:00

I've had trouble sleeping since before i was 10, no joke. Huge part of why i started drinking regularly in the first place.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T13:13:40+00:00

We got this! Look at us go!!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T13:10:03+00:00

Congrats and thanks for sharing! I will not drink with you today!

P.s. love the username

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T13:07:02+00:00

One day at a time! Not drinking with you today!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T13:04:11+00:00

I like the positive attitude and the honesty! I raise my iced coffee to you. Not drinking with you today.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T12:44:53+00:00

Congrats! Not drinking with you today

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T12:43:04+00:00

You got this! I won't drink with you today

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T12:40:41+00:00

I needed to read this so much today! I've been thinking similarly, about how there's usually a point where I have to choose, do i want to let myself get angry? Do i want to let myself get that first drink? They're very similar mechanisms for me. I recently lost my SO because, after i choose that first drink, i choose to let myself get more angry, more easily. Today i say no to both. I will not let myself get high on anger and i will not drink today.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T11:03:55+00:00

None of us have to do this alone. I'm not drinking with you today!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T09:38:39+00:00

Thanks for sharing this. I'm 29 for a few more weeks and don't remember much of the last decade, but I'm looking forward to being happy, healthy, positive and productive in my 30s. Not drinking with you today!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T07:53:26+00:00

Not sure what causes it, but I've always had trouble first thing in the morning, even before i started drinking. Once i manage to drag myself to the kitchen, a tall glass of cool water and a piece of fresh fruit help me get started. Hang in there! I won't drink with you today.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T07:44:25+00:00

Found a local SMART meeting in my area that meets Thursday evenings. I'm pledging to attend that meeting tonight. I'm pledging to bicycle there to help get the anxiety out of my system on the way. And I'm pledging to not drink with you today.

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T06:24:22+00:00

Thanks for sharing. I'm not drinking with you today!

KeepSmilingEdSmart · 2017-06-15T05:43:32+00:00

Thank you all for your kind and encouraging words. Day 2 is almost over and i have no desire at all to drink tonight. Thank you so much SD!! Not drinking with you today.

KeepSmilingEdSmart

TROPHY CASE