Originally Posted by
Flower2327 
Even at this point, I just can't get over these things: no glass of wine at the incredible foodie restaurant (French Laundry, Per Se) I may get to eat at one day; no champagne at my best friend's wedding; no more drinks out with my colleagues. Etc etc et al.
The thought of all that makes me feel, frankly...sad. And weird. And I don't know how I will get over it.
I understand the feelings, I've felt them myself. It stems from thinking that sobriety is depriving us of something enjoyable, that quitting drinking is some sort of punishment.
It's not.
We use the term
ball and chain to refer to something that restricts one's freedom or limits one's possibilities for personal pursuits.
Alcohol is our ball and chain.
You said yourself that, "I really have started feeling that I can't feel or experience "fun" or be relaxed unless I'm drunk."
You
have to have alcohol to have fun? That sounds more like punishment than having the freedom to enjoy life whenever, however we want without the ball and chain of alcohol.
Recovery is not the punishment. Having to drink is.