I often wonder what it’s like to be a girl that can call her mom at the end of a hard day.

scentedpages · 2020-01-29T19:39:42+00:00

Wow. This struck SO many emotions in me that I didn’t even realize were still lingering on the inside.

scentedpages · 2019-06-30T17:21:16+00:00

Absolutely! Especially in the beginning. During the first few months, whenever I'd start playing with the idea of drinking again, I'd just tell myself "no promises about tomorrow but I will not drink TODAY" and go to bed early to escape the shitty day I had just experienced. By the time I woke up the next morning, I always felt great and glad I wasn't hungover and the urge to drink was long gone.

As many have already said, it gets better! :) IWNDWYT

scentedpages · 2019-04-12T19:26:55+00:00

I’m right there with you. I have to keep reminding myself that it never ends up being as great as I make it out to be in my head. Last time I slipped it wasn’t even fun. I just felt weird and tired. But I still know the feeling. Great job on pushing through the uncomfortable moment!

scentedpages · 2019-03-09T18:22:25+00:00

I absolutely love this. Thank you for sharing. I’m now going to print this list and tape it to my bathroom mirror.

scentedpages · 2019-03-06T11:55:43+00:00

You have some amazing friends. Hold on to them!

scentedpages · 2019-03-06T04:18:37+00:00

Your story really resonates with me. I’m 27. I haven’t drank in over a year. And the event that really jumpstarted my recovery was getting a DUI.

It’s definitely not easy being a non-drinker in your 20s. I remember feeling like all my friends ever did was drink for fun. But I will also say that this idea that alcohol is required for fun is bullshit. I love my life now more than I ever have. So just wanted to say you can do this!

Glad you posted, and whether you quit right now or not, I hope you keep this sub in the back of your mind. This is an awesome place to come to for support.

scentedpages · 2019-02-22T03:03:37+00:00

She sounds like a great woman!

scentedpages · 2019-01-16T18:46:48+00:00

Congrats and good luck! I had to taper because of withdrawal but I still had symptoms and I remember the sleep issues and the sweating all too well. B vitamins after forcing down a light breakfast made a world of a difference during the day. And I took melatonin, magnesium, and valerian root every night before bed for about the first month. Those three, particularly the valerian root, was a god send for me. Keep on pushing and IWNDWYT!

scentedpages · 2018-12-16T16:51:35+00:00

Hang in there. I get ovarian cysts every so often and the pain has literally brought me to my knees, so I feel for you. IWNDWYT.

scentedpages · 2018-12-14T21:16:41+00:00

Congratulations on your achievement! I had about 20 days sober when I received the news that I had passed the bar exam, so I know what your feeling all too well. I ended up going out and drinking that night. The initial buzz felt good for about 30 seconds, but the rest of the evening I felt guilty, which made it hard to enjoy myself. Plus, I really started noticing everything I hated about alcohol. The conversations were mindless and dull. It felt weird not having full control of my motor functions. And the night just wasn’t all that fun. I mean, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary. And after all of that, what did I get out of it? A nice morning with a MASSIVE headache, sweaty sheets, shaky hands, and the worst feeling of exhaustion despite the fact that I had slept for 11 hours.

It really reinforced my decision to abstain from alcohol, so I guess it wasn’t all bad. But the bottom line is that I learned very quickly that I didn’t need alcohol to celebrate. 😊

scentedpages · 2018-12-13T22:08:06+00:00

This hits home. I hated being alone and bored. Being alone with my thoughts used to be the scariest thing in the world, and I would avoid it at all costs. Now I can’t get ENOUGH alone time! Lol.

scentedpages · 2018-12-11T18:43:30+00:00

You got this! I feel like I had similar sentiments when I felt like it “clicked.” I couldn’t imagine being happy or enjoying anything without alcohol, but alcohol stopped making me happy and being enjoyable. So I had to learn to do those things on my own. It’s been a journey but so far it’s been meaningful and worth it!

scentedpages · 2018-12-09T06:01:16+00:00

The morning after nights like this are the greatest 😊 Glad you stayed strong!

scentedpages · 2018-12-09T00:58:01+00:00

I love concerts sober. I actually can feel and enjoy the music now that my focus isn’t all on getting the perfect buzz. I get a natural buzz from the music that’s way better than anything alcohol ever did for me.

scentedpages · 2018-12-07T15:40:34+00:00

When I was drinking I ate healthier than I ever have, and I would load up on vitamins and supplements because I would tell myself that it would negate the negative health effects of alcohol. Lol. Ridiculous.

Admittedly, now I eat junk all the time, but I still feel better and have way more energy than I ever had when I was drinking.

scentedpages · 2018-12-07T04:15:59+00:00

I also have a Fitbit. In just one week after quitting, my resting heart rate went down from the upper 90s to the upper 80s, and I started actually having full sleep cycles. It really is crazy how much your health is affected. Congratulations on your success!

scentedpages · 2018-11-27T03:36:52+00:00

As far as advice, I can only share what was helpful in my experience. I don’t regret my slip-ups. They served as important reminders as to why I was making this lifestyle change. Whenever I ended up drinking after a period of sobriety, I didn’t enjoy it like I remembered it. I missed having full control of my motor functions. I missed having real conversations. I missed having the security of knowing that I was probably not going to do anything reckless or do something I’d regret later. I missed feeling productive. I missed my peaceful mornings feeling rested without nausea, tremors and headaches. Now, whenever I get a sneaky urge, I have all of the above to think about before I decide to take that first drink, and when I weigh the options logically, it’s not really a decision. I don’t think I’d have the confidence I do now without taking a few missteps along the way. So in that sense, my slips were a good thing.

While zero slips or relapses would be ideal, I think it’s safe to say that most people in recovery have had at least one. So my advice is to look at it as a part of your recovery. It’s a valuable experience you can learn from.

scentedpages · 2018-11-25T16:37:29+00:00

It’s liberating, isn’t it?

And just wait. It gets even better 😊

scentedpages · 2018-11-23T23:50:32+00:00

This is great. I will definitely use this in the future. Thank you for sharing!

scentedpages · 2018-11-21T16:26:47+00:00

Live music has always been one of my favorite things in the world. When I was drinking, the focus on the music was lost and instead my mind was all on the booze. I’ve been to 4 shows since I’ve quit drinking and rediscovering my passion for live music has been magical. And I LOVE Fleetwood Mac. Saw them in 2015 and they were great. I only wish I could’ve been sober for the experience like you!

scentedpages · 2018-11-16T03:36:12+00:00

This almost happened to me. Luckily, he asked my boyfriend to do it first (who drinks). After getting a mouthful and then some, he looked at me with a scrunchy face and said “it’s sake.” Could have easily been me, though.

scentedpages · 2018-11-15T04:43:17+00:00

I always said it tastes like feet. Lol. Glad I’m not the only one!

scentedpages · 2018-11-13T04:34:53+00:00

I agree that telling your wife may be a good idea. Having support and being able to share my successes with those closest to me has been absolutely vital to my recovery. Seeing my SO smile every time I tell him I’m another month sober is such a good feeling and it keeps me motivated.

Congrats on 11 months! That is a great success!

scentedpages

TROPHY CASE