Originally Posted by GotGrace

Kell, I haven't heard from UI since his post earlier today. I wonder what's up with him and Hooped too. I never knew I could be this concerned about people I have never seen or met!

So a day or two ago I wrote about wanting to drink and feeling really restless. Brooksie, you asked me what is going on in my head, why do I want to drink. I thought about it, slept, went to a meeting, and then it all clicked into place. Here's what I came up with: I used to drink for pretty much any reason, but one big trigger was excitement. I loved nothing more than anticipating a great party or get together (like Thanksgiving) and getting started a little early. Also, in my family growing up and since I have been an adult, the holidays were synonymous with drinking. So after nearly 30 years of drinking all day and evening on Thanksgiving, I am breaking that tradition, and while it is the right thing to do, it isn't natural for me yet. So I need to be aware of that discomfort and be patient with myself.

But here's the thing: I stopped drinking for me. No one asked me to stop, no ultimatums, I just knew I was sick of feeling like crap more often than not and I was tired of obsessing over the next drink. That had only to do with me, and I am in charge of my not drinking. No one is going to force me to drink on Thanksgiving or any other day; it's all me. And I kind of like that. For a control freak like me, knowing it all hinges on me is pretty okay.

I know this all sounds really elementary, but I had to think it all through and put the pieces together and, now that I have, I feel a lot better. I don't expect that I won't be tempted, but I am planning to stock up on my special sodas and drink them whenever I want, calories be damned. I'll will still drink fewer calories than if I were slugging down wine and beer for 12 hours straight.

Ok, Grace, up off the couch. The therapy hour has ended!