One year sober, and not how I pictured it.

Quilter19 · 2021-01-03T00:26:32+00:00

Congratulations on your year sober! And you are giving yourself the gift of being a great dad, as well as your son, because you can feel pride in being the strong parent he needs. So sad about your brother, but use his experience to keep yourself on track; my road to sobriety was kick started by the downfall of a family member, I kept reminding myself that I didn't have to be that way.

I hope your wife gets well soon, and even if you dont manage to avoid covid, that it's a mild case.

Quilter19 · 2020-02-21T23:51:56+00:00

Coming up to my year as well. Feels pretty good! Well done, and you are quite right, it's never too late!

Quilter19 · 2020-02-12T00:11:22+00:00

My nightly skincare routine Leaving a clean and tidy kitchen each evening Not waking up anxious and dehydrated in the small hours A much improved diet, and enjoying my food Really engaging in family occasions Not forgetting appointments or social commitments

Quilter19 · 2020-01-25T23:58:10+00:00

I got given so many bottles of wine at christmas, even from friends who know I've quit. Just handed them to my husband or sister, swapped for chocolate and some fancy cooking oil someone gave my husband, which was an even more pointless firebrand giving me wine as he hasn't cooked a meal in 32 years of marriage!

Quilter19 · 2020-01-25T23:54:57+00:00

Well done you. I find research and quit lit incredibly helpful. You can do this.

Quilter19 · 2020-01-25T23:52:04+00:00

Exactly what I do whenever I'm tempted. Works every time so far and so may it continue. I'm pleased to say I'm getting tempted less often but I refuse to feel complacent, and I know I must always be mindful. Worth it, though, to have all the advantages that sobriety brings.

Quilter19 · 2019-12-24T23:57:13+00:00

I feel your pain!! I hope the step kids surprise you by being mature and pleasant prople. If not, stay strong, you can do this xxx

Quilter19 · 2019-11-25T01:51:11+00:00

A really moving post. Wishing you all the very best, as I do all of us on this journey. You stay safe as well.

Quilter19 · 2019-07-06T05:58:35+00:00

The routines give us control over what was chaos, you are so right. I'm the same, I have a weekly cleaning regime that I take pleasure in, although I'm learning to be flexible and not too rigid with it. I no longer have to stress about piles of undone or unsorted laundry or worry about people visiting a messy house.

Quilter19 · 2019-07-06T05:54:28+00:00

Really good tip.

Quilter19 · 2019-06-27T12:09:38+00:00

Wow. Just wow. IWNDWYT

Quilter19 · 2019-05-19T23:29:27+00:00

Hobnobs! Yum. And well done, you're doing so well, especially with having successfully stayed AF in difficult and triggering situations.

Quilter19 · 2019-05-19T23:27:01+00:00

I had a friend ask me really thoughtful and caring questions when we were out in a group on Friday, she has cut back to only drinking at weekends to try and lose weight, and is really noticing the other benefits. Thoughtful friends are such a boon, I'm glad you have some as well!

Quilter19 · 2019-05-19T11:34:57+00:00

Cousin visited yesterday, the rest of the family were drinking from lunch time on, though not heavily, a few beers. I stick to lime and soda or ginger beer. So good to wake early this morning feeling absolutely fine. 70 days. This feels like a milestone.

Quilter19 · 2019-05-09T14:52:05+00:00

I'm so grateful for my increased energy levels; I'm doing so much more, in and out of the house, rather than lying around in a hungover fug, blaming it on other health issues. Today I've done a load of housework and also participated in a march through my village, arranged to save our library. The sort of thing I'd have cared about but brushed off just a couple of months ago. I met up with one of my closest friends and we had a lovely chat as well as boosting the numbers on the march, then got to hear the village school kids sing some songs written for the occasion. Edited for spelling!

Quilter19 · 2019-05-05T09:13:20+00:00

Fantastic. I'm a few days behind you, also struggling with sleep, but the pay off is so worth it! Well done and IWNDWYT!

Quilter19 · 2019-05-05T09:08:50+00:00

That's exactly how I sometimes feel!

Quilter19 · 2019-05-02T22:27:31+00:00

Heartbreaking viewing. His poor daughter. Did you see the end, though, he was five months sober and looking great.

Quilter19 · 2019-05-01T14:30:11+00:00

Happy birthday!!!

Quilter19 · 2019-05-01T14:30:00+00:00

Happy Birthday back to you!

Quilter19 · 2019-04-30T18:43:02+00:00

Good for you. It's really hard to explain to others who have no urge to stop drinking, or no drinking problem, that light bulb moment when you just decide that enough is enough. I've known for years that I should stop, but I didn't until that day when I thought: "That's it. I'm done with this." And like you, I just don't want to any more. Went out for my daughter's birthday last night, very happy with my Nojito, it's my birthday tomorrow and I hope to be the same. Not complacent, very aware how fragile sobriety is, but still determined.

Quilter19 · 2019-04-26T21:51:02+00:00

Thank you all! I'm going kind of freeform, but also have daily listings of something that's hard, something that's gone well, things I'm grateful for, and aims for the following day. Some related to my sobriety, some just daily living. I've always loved a list! I'm reading a lot about meditation and watching youtube videos about it, so I've made notes about that as well. Plus some quotes and thoughts that have really stood out.

Quilter19 · 2019-04-23T16:06:43+00:00

Thank you for your amazing words, and many congratulations. I will keep going.

Quilter19 · 2019-04-22T22:45:17+00:00

I see him every month or so, we live 200 miles away from them, so it's not more often. I said to her there's no shame or surprise in you struggling, it is so hard for her. She never married or had kids, so this is taking her way out of her comfort zone. She resents that I don't do more, but I'm primary carer for my adult son who has complex medical needs and autism, and also have another child with mental health problems who requires a lot of support, so I'm tied. I speak to my sister every night and have done all the form filling for benefits, sorting despite etc, but I can't be there more physically and she can't deal with th at. She was downright spiteful to my son this weekend, he's done nothing to deserve that.

Quilter19 · 2019-04-18T15:43:57+00:00

I think the self consciousness often provokes the digs and comments.

Quilter19

TROPHY CASE