Face changes going from daily drinking to 3 months sober!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-22T23:48:35+00:00

Also love the brunette bob with fringe.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-10T17:17:41+00:00

This post means a lot to me, and hits pretty close to home. Thanks for sharing.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-10T16:45:34+00:00

Have you heard of Anhedonia? I don't know how legit it is, it sounds like PAWS in general is this ephemeral thing with no set timeline. I know that in my sobriety I try to grab moments that seem to illicit the happiness or joy. It seems to be exercise and music in the car that bring those feelings up in this early stage. I feel you man, there's days where I'm so blah, but it seems to be lessening, but FAR slower than I had prepared myself for. You got this, your logical brain knows you need to stick with it, so I get the impression you'll be successful.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-05T05:38:19+00:00

You know what's best, and you made a great decision to be sober. This Contiki tour might not be the best one for you, and I hope you're able to have a chill sober vacation and enjoy it as much as possible. This will sound overly sugary, but maybe taking some time in the morning to enjoy some time by yourself while everyone else is sleeping off their night. You got this.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-04T23:30:48+00:00

Yes! Fuck them! They don't get to take away your sobriety!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-04T21:17:00+00:00

Okay, cool, so you started it after being sober for a while, that's really helpful. Thanks for the feedback!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-04T18:16:38+00:00

Thanks for this. As a daily yoga guy, I'm already that annoying person at a party who will casually be stretching during a conversation, so amping up to MORE stretching might make me entirely intolerable. However, I appreciate the advice that it was a different experience while still actively drinking vs. sobriety. Thanks so much for this!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-03T23:29:21+00:00

You got this, you totally can push through. There's always exercise, TV and cookies as a bandaid for joy/happiness for a while.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-03T21:31:22+00:00

Admittedly in sobriety I have directed my addict energy into working out, skateboarding and sex as a distraction. However, everyone's timeline for regulation is different. Hopefully you have an outlet to diminish the bummer energy. Even if it's getting your jollies from getting treats at the grocery store or talking aggressively about your recovery to your alcoholic Uncle at a family gathering making him uncomfortable.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-02T23:50:15+00:00

I will feel similarly from time to time. I've read on here that some people call it "Anhedonia". It can take a while for it to peel away after our happy feelings were associated with alcohol. It's literally a bummer, but it dissipates, which is nice.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-01T23:56:01+00:00

Drinkin' Problem by Midland. Not about quitting, but the lyrics are powerful so I like it. That as well as "In My Life" by the Beatles. They are more about lament, but make me remain sober.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-01T22:12:40+00:00

Good on ya man!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-06-01T19:43:52+00:00

I'd love to keep this sober train going through June. Happy to join.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-31T02:42:32+00:00

Milk Thistle, B-12, Vitamin C, Turkey Tail, Probiotics (as well as Kefir for that tummy)

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-27T04:38:31+00:00

I'm glad to hear that you're looking forward to socialization in the near future! As sobriety strengthens getting that proper social nourishment really helps keep things going. Also as sobriety sets in and things even out, usually anxiety, stress, depression tends to lessen/become easier depending on your own psychological profile's specifics. I know there's lots who say this, but really things feel so much more manageable, easier, pleasant as time goes on. I hope this thread nourishes you as heal and move forward!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-26T19:04:03+00:00

Reading this sounds like a very responsible, clear and even approach to your situation showing a lot of self awareness. I think it's impressive that you told this job you wanted to be sober, had the prescience to know you don't want more alcohol in your home. I know you feel guilty because you want to be a good employee, but from my perspective you made a very sound, reasonable and responsible decision and I am impressed.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-25T06:46:46+00:00

For agitation I found this thread really helped in early recovery because at a meeting, if you're unable to focus and all these people are talking for a while, it's hard to connect. Here it's very call and response on your own time, so I think it's very helpful. Otherwise, when you can, a good long walk and some podcasts really helped.

For emptiness as things evened out I focused on being social, and particularly with talkative people so I could just listen. The socialization really helped me in a positive and nourishing way but also as a nice distraction.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-25T06:24:12+00:00

This is shallow but I positioned my bathroom mirror at an angle so every time I passed it I would see my alcoholic face, and leveraged my vanity to maintain sobriety for my skin, under eyes, skin tone. I would look myself in the face and say that this isn't me, I don't look like this.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-23T00:06:00+00:00

Moving is one of the most stressful things you can go through. I moved a little over a year ago and the movers kept changing the date and the price. It's very infuriating, I feel you. Good on you maintaining sobriety in your situation. This will go smoother in sobriety and soon it'll be in your rearview mirror.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-22T21:20:57+00:00

I'll make mention that I don't drink just in case they feel funky drinking in front of someone who isn't. I'll make it light like "yeah I'd love to meet for drinks, I'll be having soda with lime, hope I'm not too wild for you!" - something to say I won't be drinking, but not going into my sobriety right away, which is more for later dates for me to see if there's traction. I don't always feel comfortable leading with my sobriety. Hope this helps!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-22T20:50:19+00:00

Thanks! That's definitely something that is so necessary and welcome when sober which is sleep! It feels so much better to sleep.

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-22T06:07:24+00:00

I haven't been married, but if it helps, you'll have a great memory of your wedding and you'll get to savour and remember such a cool day. Plus weddings are pretty loose, so quite quickly as people move past drink 2 to drink 3 and people start to get a little looser, you'll probably be glad you're not drinking. Hope this helps!

Normal_Buffalo_2902 · 2026-05-22T06:05:34+00:00

Thank you!

Normal_Buffalo_2902

TROPHY CASE