For anyone: Has your life improved since not drinking/using? And how so?
Ways my life has improved in nearly a year and a half of sobriety;
I am no longer in debt.
I have a couple months living expenses in my savings account (for the first time in... forever).
I am in a strong, respectful, symbiotic relationship with a lovely lady to whom I am now engaged.
I am a generally happier person.
I am a generally healthier person.
I am calmer, more self-confident.
My life is more organized.
My home is cleaner and more organized.
I am in better physical condition.
I sleep well each night (though this one took quite a while to settle in).
I am generally optimistic about life and its prospects.
I feel generally proud of my sobriety and see it (save for some bouts of thoughts of drinking that I work through) as something honorable and rare and unique and positive in the world.
I am better at my job.
I am more attentive to others' needs.
I am fully present in my children's lives.
I am always ready to help out - because I'm never drunk, never unable to drive, never off my game due to drinking.
I am living my life in a more genuine and authentic manner.
I remember my life more clearly.
I am more in tune with who I am.... and am more focused on ever-becoming more...
I am no longer in debt.
I have a couple months living expenses in my savings account (for the first time in... forever).
I am in a strong, respectful, symbiotic relationship with a lovely lady to whom I am now engaged.
I am a generally happier person.
I am a generally healthier person.
I am calmer, more self-confident.
My life is more organized.
My home is cleaner and more organized.
I am in better physical condition.
I sleep well each night (though this one took quite a while to settle in).
I am generally optimistic about life and its prospects.
I feel generally proud of my sobriety and see it (save for some bouts of thoughts of drinking that I work through) as something honorable and rare and unique and positive in the world.
I am better at my job.
I am more attentive to others' needs.
I am fully present in my children's lives.
I am always ready to help out - because I'm never drunk, never unable to drive, never off my game due to drinking.
I am living my life in a more genuine and authentic manner.
I remember my life more clearly.
I am more in tune with who I am.... and am more focused on ever-becoming more...
Member
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 596
Pretty much in every measurable way. Finally found a job I love, and I put my all into it. Before I was always just doing enough to not get fired (until I did). And I discovered something, I am really good at what I do and take a lot of pride in it. Things are very bright for me professionally. Much closer with my family. My friends respect me more. And I met the love of my life. A year ago at this time I thought none of those things would ever be possible for me and that I would die very young and alone. Now I'm excited for the future and look forward to a long, healthy life.
I am happy. I always thought I was a fairly good-spirited person before I quit. I didn't realize how much alcohol was weighing me down. The anxiety, the guilt. I'm just under two months sober and I have felt happiness in a way I never have before. I feel lighter. I catch myself smiling and humming. I stopped to smell a flower on my walk home tonight and realized "I was stopping to smell the flowers."
I could not have conceived how am feeling now while I was drinking. To any of you who are struggling to quit, it is so unimaginably better on this side. The AV is wrong!
I could not have conceived how am feeling now while I was drinking. To any of you who are struggling to quit, it is so unimaginably better on this side. The AV is wrong!
I am happy. I always thought I was a fairly good-spirited person before I quit. I didn't realize how much alcohol was weighing me down. The anxiety, the guilt. I'm just under two months sober and I have felt happiness in a way I never have before. I feel lighter. I catch myself smiling and humming. I stopped to smell a flower on my walk home tonight and realized "I was stopping to smell the flowers." I could not have conceived how am feeling now while I was drinking. To any of you who are struggling to quit, it is so unimaginably better on this side. The AV is wrong!
Some great stuff posted, to much of which I can relate.
Coming up on 18 months here.
For me, the most important aspect of my life that has changed is that I am able to accept who I am. And also I am able to accept what happens to me whether within or beyond my control.
I suppose it's cliche', but living life on life's terms is a way to put it.
Mindfulness has helped tremendously with my learning how to live within myself and to the extremities of life. I have always treated everyone the same regardless of their place in life. It's silly because I don't believe in the supernatural, but I have always treated everyone as if I was being watched by a higher power and being tested. Or as I used to say, it could be Jesus in disguise. And I tried to live by the WWJD? mantra. Nothing wrong with that. But now that I am sober, I don't even think about it. I am who I am and not much different than before. However, now it doesn't take a conscious effort to be that guy. btw, I am not a religious person, I am an atheist. I believe in the golden rule.
Coming up on 18 months here.
For me, the most important aspect of my life that has changed is that I am able to accept who I am. And also I am able to accept what happens to me whether within or beyond my control.
I suppose it's cliche', but living life on life's terms is a way to put it.
Mindfulness has helped tremendously with my learning how to live within myself and to the extremities of life. I have always treated everyone the same regardless of their place in life. It's silly because I don't believe in the supernatural, but I have always treated everyone as if I was being watched by a higher power and being tested. Or as I used to say, it could be Jesus in disguise. And I tried to live by the WWJD? mantra. Nothing wrong with that. But now that I am sober, I don't even think about it. I am who I am and not much different than before. However, now it doesn't take a conscious effort to be that guy. btw, I am not a religious person, I am an atheist. I believe in the golden rule.
130 days sober.
More active - exercising regularly and doing the serious hiking I always said I wanted to.
Fitter - down about 24 pounds.
Richer - about €1,000 better off.
Better - at work I'm clearer in my thinking and have more energy and tolerance
Better - in my relationships all round
Stronger - in my belief I can do this and many other things
Happier - I really am and am quite surprised to realise I wasn't as happy as I thought I was
And of course less shame, less guilt, less self-loathing.
The other responses are amazing.
More active - exercising regularly and doing the serious hiking I always said I wanted to.
Fitter - down about 24 pounds.
Richer - about €1,000 better off.
Better - at work I'm clearer in my thinking and have more energy and tolerance
Better - in my relationships all round
Stronger - in my belief I can do this and many other things
Happier - I really am and am quite surprised to realise I wasn't as happy as I thought I was
And of course less shame, less guilt, less self-loathing.
The other responses are amazing.
Guest
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 608
Beautiful
Pretty much in every measurable way. Finally found a job I love, and I put my all into it. Before I was always just doing enough to not get fired (until I did). And I discovered something, I am really good at what I do and take a lot of pride in it. Things are very bright for me professionally. Much closer with my family. My friends respect me more. And I met the love of my life. A year ago at this time I thought none of those things would ever be possible for me and that I would die very young and alone. Now I'm excited for the future and look forward to a long, healthy life.
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