Sunny27

So, my first sober birthday in 22 years!!!

I turned 40 last Saturday. I had a get-together with my closest friends that involved staying in some lovely hotels on a weekend away.

At one point I seriously considered having a glass of wine or champagne to celebrate, but that feeling passed.

What stopped me was looking at how my life has changed in the 11 months since I quit drinking.

I look better - my skin is clear, my eyes bright, my mental health is fine, no waking up feeling self-loathing and hatred. I smile every day.

I am doing two courses (one to be a healthcare assistant,which will finish in May and help me finance a counselling and psychotherapy degree I am also doing.

My finances are not great (very difficult to get work in Ireland but my healthcare course will help a lot), but I am on top of things.

I count my blessings and see this as the start of the second part of my life. My life has real meaning and promise now.

I am so glad I will not be drinking through part two. Drinking never bought me the happiness and contentment I feel now.



Sobriety is really living!!! I kidded myself for far too long.

NewBeginning010

Way to go Sunny

oak

Happy Belated Birthday! Your first sober adult birthday is a big deal.
And thank you for the positive message.

CarolD

Thanks for shareing your realy good news...belated

Happier

Great post. "I smile everyday" is my favorite part. What a blessing to have happiness and contentment. That is inspiring to me. Thanks for sharing this post.

Jade1224

thats awesome and congratulations

Sunny27

It is so true. I look at the world through different eyes these days.

I have real ambition these days. When drinking, life was just a case of going through the motions.

I did consider a glass of something on my birthday, but I just thought, no way am I giving up this new life for anything - and that is coming from a woman that looooooooooooooooved her wine!!!!

I have never been happier, never, than I am now.

Stay strong, happier. You can do this. And if you are just starting out, can I recommend watching Rain in My Heart on youtube. It kept me strong in the early months.

xxx

Happier

I have watched it. Agree that it is helpful to see and leaves an impression.
I feel good not drinking. I am looking forward to the love and zeal of life again. The pre-drinking joy and happiness. I have mostly good days and am experiencing these good things more and more often but also know that there is more for me to learn and experience. I am excited and grateful for that.

endlesspatience

Well done. 11 months is a great achievement. Thanks for encouraging us all by posting here.

Another

So encouraging Sunny27, It's those realizations and appreciations that keep taking you (us) further along. Great to hear and happy belated birthday

freshstart57

Happy Birthday, Sunny27. So happy to know that you are well.

WindOfChange

:day2 Way to go!

Bubs

Happy (post) Birthday! And a fellow scorpio ;-) We know our stubborn traits and you've done an amazing thing. It sounds like you've truly passed that last hurdle, like you talk about alcohol in the past tense.

Brilliant gift to have for a birthday.

regeneration

Sunny, that is so great that you got a sober 40th birthday, and that you are doing so well.

Sounds to me like you are having a really enjoyable life and got even more to come.

Good for you

Opivotal

((Sunny)) I couldn't be happier for you! What a long way you've come. Sending you big Congratulations and Happy Birthday Wishes.

7

Best Wishes To You!

Sunny27

Thanks everyone somuch for all your encouraging words

This is the second half of my life and I am not going to balls it up. I am determined.

I think back to when I first joined here and the thought of never drinking again terrified me. I am so far from that now. The thought of my life going back to what it was it what terrifies me now.

I never would have envisioned feeling like this back then