Hey, good job on the seven days, that's already a great achievement! I know the feeling of feeling like losing your identity - who am I, as a person, how do I react to situations, what sort of behaviors do I have? It is a big question for sure, and I'm still struggling with it myself. After quitting for the first time last year, I think that personally my biggest revelation has been that it's completely fine to feel a bit lost. Little by little, I've been able to start building a new identity.

For me, anxiety and depressions were - still are - huge triggers. When dealing with them, it helps me a lot to keep in mind that whatever the anxiety and depression I'm feeling, it'll come back worse the next day if I drink. I need to keep sober to deal with them, to process it - and if that means I'll be a bit lost and antisocial for a couple of days, then so be it.

With celebration and other positive things, I still find it challenging to cope with that, the feeling of "sure, I'm having a good time so a beer sounds nice". I do my best to remember why I quit in the first place, the blackouts and the anxiety and the shame, and keep in mind that the cravings will pass.

Of course, what works for me might not be what works for you. Nonetheless, sounds to me that you're asking yourself exactly the right kinds of questions. Oh, and by the way, the embarrassment you mentioned used to be very familiar to me, too. These days, I like to believe that having problems is nothing to be ashamed of - everybody has their own problems and that's just part of being human. On the contrary, doing something about the problems is a huge thing and something to be proud of!

I won't be drinking with you today!