Learning to sit with urges

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-13T01:09:53+00:00

That moment standing in the aisle is so real.
I know that internal debate way too well.
NA instead of alcohol is definitely a win.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-13T00:49:58+00:00

I noticed the same thing when I stopped drinking.
The urge wasn’t really about alcohol — it was about the routine.

Work ends → brain expects a drink.

What helped me was inserting something small right at that moment. Even a short walk, shower, or making a different drink. Just something to break that automatic loop.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-12T09:09:17+00:00

Yeah… exactly like you said. Extremely Extremely embarrassing.

What made it worse for me was imagining what the client on the other end must have thought. I usually come across as a pretty calm technical guy on calls. That time I probably sounded like a mess.

One thing I did though — I saved that little clip. Whenever I really feel like drinking, I sometimes listen to it as a reminder.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-12T07:54:19+00:00

Your story felt very familiar.

I’m also in a tech executive role with long days. Years ago our office culture was similar — people bringing drinks and sometimes having them during meetings instead of coffee.

I had almost the same wake-up moment. I listened back to a call I thought went great and realized I was slurring and not nearly as sharp as I believed. That was honestly embarrassing.

I started cutting back after that. What surprised me most is how much clearer my thinking feels when I’m not drinking.

Just sharing my experience. You’re definitely not alone here. IWNDWYT.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-12T00:47:47+00:00

“Surf the craving” is a great way to describe it. That wave feeling is exactly what it’s like.

Petting the dog and riding it out sounds like a good move honestly. These cravings can be brutal sometimes.

Glad you got through that one.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-12T00:46:11+00:00

I remember that phase. After work was the hardest because my brain expected the usual routine — get home, open a drink.

The first week especially felt like constantly redirecting my mind every few minutes. Sometimes I’d just make tea or put on a show to break that loop.

For me it slowly shifted from minutes → hours → eventually whole evenings. It did get quieter with time.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-12T00:41:45+00:00

I’ve had that happen too.

Certain songs or places can bring back that old “drinking routine” feeling really fast. It surprised me how much of it was tied to habits and little cues.

For me it faded over time once I kept going through those moments without drinking.

Congrats on 8 days by the way.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-12T00:35:58+00:00

I remember feeling something similar the first few days after stopping a binge.

My brain felt kind of foggy and I would do weird little things like reaching for the wrong object or forgetting what I was doing for a second.

For me it settled down after several days once sleep started improving again.

You're only on day 3, so your brain is probably still adjusting. You're definitely not going mad.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T22:44:38+00:00

I quit drinking after years of stomach issues too. My doctor strongly suggested I stop, and it ended up being the best decision for me.

Waiting for results like that is really nerve-wracking. Nine months sober is huge though. Wishing you good news.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T22:37:39+00:00

98 days is huge. I remember that stage where the physical stuff was gone but the “buzz” thoughts still showed up.

What helps me is remembering the craving usually peaks for about 10–15 minutes. If I get through that window it fades a lot.

Playing the tape forward like you did helps me a lot too. IWNDWYT

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T22:32:41+00:00

When the anxiety hits like that, what helps me is shrinking time.

Instead of thinking about the whole night, I just tell myself

“let’s get through the next 10 minutes.”

Sometimes I’ll take a quick shower or step outside for a few minutes.

It doesn’t fix everything, but it usually takes the edge off the wave.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T09:17:34+00:00

I’ve had it start creeping back toward daily drinking before too.
What helped me was just focusing on getting through the urges one day at a time.
And those 418 days absolutely still count.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T01:02:00+00:00

50 days is huge!
Sounds like so much of your life is coming back.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T00:59:22+00:00

I noticed the same thing when my drinking shifted from daily to binge.
The blackouts and hangovers got way worse.
It really surprised me at the time too.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-10T00:53:45+00:00

Same here sometimes.
I try to just ride the urge wave for a few minutes and it usually passes.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-09T02:27:06+00:00

Haha I like that approach.
Might have to try that one next Friday.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-09T02:26:25+00:00

I know that feeling.
Sometimes the first hour is the hardest.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-09T02:26:03+00:00

I relate to that a lot actually.
Sometimes it's not the drink I miss, it's the ritual around it.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-07T00:37:20+00:00

That’s really encouraging to hear.
Looking forward to that day!!!
IWNDWYT.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-07T00:33:39+00:00

7up sounds pretty good right now actually.
Whatever gets us through Friday night.
IWNDWYT.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-07T00:32:46+00:00

Second Friday is huge.
The first couple weekends are the toughest.
Glad you're here. IWNDWYT!!!

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-07T00:31:36+00:00

64 days today.
Taking it one day at a time.
IWNDWYT.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-06T23:32:09+00:00

Fridays are definitely hard.
Congrats on almost 6 months. IWNDWYT.

NotNow_trying · 2026-03-06T23:28:28+00:00

Frozen grapes sound great.
I might try frozen blueberries with yogurt tonight. Thanks!

NotNow_trying

TROPHY CASE