Today I have been sober 28 days. I've noticed the following changes.
Health: Finally enjoying that sober sleep on a much more regular basis. Pounding heart and night sweats are gone. Nails and skin are looking a lot better. Haven't lost much weight, but feel less bloated. Still having some headaches (related to another issue) but not as severe.
Work: Continues to be busy, but so productive. I track my hours and noticed in this last month that I've worked almost double the hours that I did when I was drinking. (So much for my "high functioning alcoholic" narrative). Despite working more, I've worked in a much calmer and more productive manner. My focus is so improved; I'm not jumping from thing to thing, distracted. And I finished a huge project that has been "almost done" for months, but has been moldering due to my anxiety about the project. Ironically, despite working more, I seem to be more aware when exhaustion is hitting, and stopping and resting vs. driving myself on as I did when I drank.
Outlook: My mood continues to be upbeat, but this week had its challenges. I experienced some triggers, some situational, others emotional. I white-knuckled it through some, played the tape through others, and talked through my feelings in the case of others. I did not drink. And I feel stronger for having gone through that.
Relationships: Coming out of the fog, I see that I have put my partner on the back burner these last few months in particular. I find myself really engaging when we are talking, looking into his eyes and really listening. It is a small thing, but something I noticed.
Thank you to all of you for the support and inspiration.
I plan to keep inventorying, but might move to recording every two weeks now.