Sooo emotional

[ultimatum]

Currently, I am at nearly 8 months sober. I have, in the last 2 months or so, been incredibly emotional. I think I have burst into crying jags more in this time than in the last 5 years. Anyone else experience this in the first year? I am normally not a super-emotional gal, and lately almost anything can set me off.

[vegibean]

My experience so far is that we go through things.......that's just it. It is what it is. The thing with being sober is that we tend to feel things more than ever. It's not always a lot of fun but the more I go through it, the easier it gets.

Generally if I don't know exactly what it is that's bothering me I take some quiet time to think about what's going on in my life. It doesn't take long to figure it out and I usually find some peace in knowing my own answer.

For me, doing nice things for me help too. I can't reward myself with picking up and it's just as nice to get myself something that I normally wouldn't have in the past. Not to mention the fact that I have that money to spend because I'm not trying to hoard it for my DOC.

I hope you're feeling better soon.

[kj3880]

I've been like this all week--crying over silly stuff. Not sure if it is my hormones, or what...maybe Aunt Flo has something to do with it for me? Love from:
kj

[ScoobaDoo]

Yeah, this week has been bad for me, I relapsed on Thursday Night and stayed home Friday and drank as well. I see a pattern with me, I have had relapses when Aunt Flo was supposed to visit, I am hyper sensitive during this time. So I'm sitting here crying and I can't say specifically why, remorse, mostly.

[Melec]

Folks on SR are going to think I spend all my time in the bathtub but I share this because it works for me. It's one thing to have feelings as an appropriate response to something- a loss, an accident, regret over drinking, etc. That makes you normal. When you get to the point where your feelings are winding you up and turning you to the bottle, try to change your temperature. Have a snack, go running, but my favorite thing is a hot bath- it immediately relaxes me and using scented lotion just puts me in a good head space afterwards. I have anxiety/depression-WORST during PMS, so this really helps stall the spiral. My point is find a healthy way to be good to yourself, (the list is endless, really- call a friend, make a hair appointment, accomplish something small) so you can calm down and examine what's going on in your head.

[Ajax]

You know, Ultimatum?
I spent a lot of that first year of sobriety mourning the loss of alcohol from my life. I was sad many days, and nights, when I would realize that I could NEVER have another drink, never enjoy a Caribbean vacation the way I used to, always have to be aware of where it is, publicly have to say No to a waiter at a wedding for a toast....all those things I took for granted. My life changed and I wanted instant results for the efforts I was putting in!

Patience.... Eventually, the fruits of my labors caught up and the desires and mourning diminished. I slowly did see my life improve due to my sobriety and I could look back and sometimes laugh at the insanity of my drinking days.

Feel sad, Ultimatum. That's an old friend you're saying goodbye to. Your sadness will pass, though, I promise....

Best,
Ajax

[ultimatum]

Thanks Ajax, you've voiced exactly what I've been feeling.