maybe I shouldn't count days... - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

toliveagain · 02-06-2006, 08:46 AM

Hi all,

I've been away on vacation (so far away that there was no internet!) so I feel a little disconnected. It was easy to keep sober on vacation - I was with a bunch of non-drinkers who spend their time on healthy pursuits like hiking (gasp!). Its much harder now that I'm back home, but with strength from the group, and the conscious decision not to drink today, no matter what, I'll get through it. I started counting how long its been now without a drink (more than 4 weeks) then I wondered whether keeping track of the days isn't just a little compulsive. It seems like more of a mentality of "how long can I keep this going". What do you think? Is it better just to focus on today and not keep track of how long its been?

**CarolD** · 02-06-2006, 08:56 AM

I quit the day counting after 30.

It is totally your choice,,,,

Gkad to see you are still sober

***indigo*** · 02-06-2006, 09:38 AM

I'm not a counter either it would only serve to remind what I wish to forget and maybe start me off again I have a very addictive personality. Whatever works for you works!

c'est la vie · 02-06-2006, 10:51 AM

I have been wondering the same thing. It bugged me that everyone keeps repeating "only for today" but then everyone points out how many days they've been sober.
I asked someone in the program and they said it was because it provides hope to newcomers, which made sense. I think they give chips for 30, 60 and 90 and then go to 1 year and maybe 18months (don't know about that) so they seem to drop the day counting too and emphasize larger stretches of sobriety.
I'm on day 12 and am glad to count the past days, but don't want to worry about counting how many days left to go. I'd rather think of just today and then look back at how many "todays" have passed.
Congrats for your approximately 4 weeks.

Gobi · 02-06-2006, 02:22 PM

I've never really counted days. I know I'm going to get heck for saying this, and I speak only for myself in this regard, but I've always felt that counting days was setting myself up for failure. When I'm ten years sober, am I going to announce "Hey, I have 3650 days"?

For me, I take special note of my starting date only (and I don't even know the date, now that I've said that -- it was Thanksgiving 2004).

daddysgirl29 · 02-06-2006, 02:29 PM

TLA, I agree that it's a personal choice. I counted until I hit 60 days, and now I just keep my eyes on the prize - each month on the 29th will be one more month. Congrats to you - now and always.

Considering where we were, each day sober is something to celebrate!

Big hugs,

02-06-2006, 08:46 AM	#1 (permalink)
toliveagain Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: NJ Posts: 9	maybe I shouldn't count days... Hi all, I've been away on vacation (so far away that there was no internet!) so I feel a little disconnected. It was easy to keep sober on vacation - I was with a bunch of non-drinkers who spend their time on healthy pursuits like hiking (gasp!). Its much harder now that I'm back home, but with strength from the group, and the conscious decision not to drink today, no matter what, I'll get through it. I started counting how long its been now without a drink (more than 4 weeks) then I wondered whether keeping track of the days isn't just a little compulsive. It seems like more of a mentality of "how long can I keep this going". What do you think? Is it better just to focus on today and not keep track of how long its been?

02-06-2006, 08:56 AM	#2 (permalink)
CarolD Forum Leader Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Dallas, Ga. USA Posts: 15,398	I quit the day counting after 30. It is totally your choice,,,, Gkad to see you are still sober __________________ Each Day Sober Is A Victory!! Joy In AA Recovery!

02-06-2006, 09:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
*indigo* Community Greeter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mid-Life Express Posts: 9,146	I'm not a counter either it would only serve to remind what I wish to forget and maybe start me off again I have a very addictive personality. Whatever works for you works! __________________ When you judge others, you do not define them, you define yourself." Namasté

02-06-2006, 02:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
daddysgirl29 Still learning; ever grateful Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: VA Posts: 842	TLA, I agree that it's a personal choice. I counted until I hit 60 days, and now I just keep my eyes on the prize - each month on the 29th will be one more month. Congrats to you - now and always. Considering where we were, each day sober is something to celebrate! Big hugs, __________________ daddysgirl29 _____________________________________________ When in doubt, look up!

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02-06-2006, 10:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
c'est la vie Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: in a better place Posts: 1,397	I have been wondering the same thing. It bugged me that everyone keeps repeating "only for today" but then everyone points out how many days they've been sober. I asked someone in the program and they said it was because it provides hope to newcomers, which made sense. I think they give chips for 30, 60 and 90 and then go to 1 year and maybe 18months (don't know about that) so they seem to drop the day counting too and emphasize larger stretches of sobriety. I'm on day 12 and am glad to count the past days, but don't want to worry about counting how many days left to go. I'd rather think of just today and then look back at how many "todays" have passed. Congrats for your approximately 4 weeks.

02-06-2006, 02:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gobi Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Posts: 43	I've never really counted days. I know I'm going to get heck for saying this, and I speak only for myself in this regard, but I've always felt that counting days was setting myself up for failure. When I'm ten years sober, am I going to announce "Hey, I have 3650 days"? For me, I take special note of my starting date only (and I don't even know the date, now that I've said that -- it was Thanksgiving 2004).

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