Don’t forget to enjoy your sobriety
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Europe
Posts: 291
Thanks folks, glad it came out as intended.
Too much to reply to everyone individually, but Least makes an important point. Yes, I see most of what I wrote as a "bonus". Just not being in that treadmill anymore, waking up "normally" would be worth it alone. It's just that that's sometimes hard to understand for someone who just gets sober, or is making the step.
Deckard pointed out the bit that is most important to me: to somehow turning this "I can't drink anymore" to a "so glad I don't have to anymore". I don't know how that is done, and I suppose it's different for every individual, but I do believe it's a possibility for all of us.
Irony: today, at my 3 years, I woke up feeling terrible, headache, joint pain, nausea, fuzzy brain... Turns out it's just the flu though, and that will go away on its own (I hope!
) But it did make me chuckle, even though I feel under the weather.
One big thing I forgot: getting sober allowed me to believe in my ability to change my diet and therefor lose weight. I used to think diets were only a fad, that it's impossible to ever seriously adjust your weight. But not this time. So last year, I was able without ever being hungry to lose 70 pounds, landing on a 23 BMI. That's not because I stopped drinking directly: I became heavier when I just got sober, as I was compensating with food and ice-cream etc. But getting sober gave me the motivation to really look after myself in that area as well.
Thanks again for the kind words. Back to bed now as I'm suffering from the world's most horrible disease: the man-flu!
Too much to reply to everyone individually, but Least makes an important point. Yes, I see most of what I wrote as a "bonus". Just not being in that treadmill anymore, waking up "normally" would be worth it alone. It's just that that's sometimes hard to understand for someone who just gets sober, or is making the step.
Deckard pointed out the bit that is most important to me: to somehow turning this "I can't drink anymore" to a "so glad I don't have to anymore". I don't know how that is done, and I suppose it's different for every individual, but I do believe it's a possibility for all of us.
Irony: today, at my 3 years, I woke up feeling terrible, headache, joint pain, nausea, fuzzy brain... Turns out it's just the flu though, and that will go away on its own (I hope!
) But it did make me chuckle, even though I feel under the weather.One big thing I forgot: getting sober allowed me to believe in my ability to change my diet and therefor lose weight. I used to think diets were only a fad, that it's impossible to ever seriously adjust your weight. But not this time. So last year, I was able without ever being hungry to lose 70 pounds, landing on a 23 BMI. That's not because I stopped drinking directly: I became heavier when I just got sober, as I was compensating with food and ice-cream etc. But getting sober gave me the motivation to really look after myself in that area as well.
Thanks again for the kind words. Back to bed now as I'm suffering from the world's most horrible disease: the man-flu!
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 202
Thank you so much.. Very inspiring.. I want to get there . As on today, I am just 12 days sober but already have experienced the bliss of morning freshness. Ability to think clearly through challenges and being able to relate to the sober people..
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Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Spain
Posts: 2,004
It is great to hear about those long-term benefits. I'm only 55 days in and at times it is tough. There are a lot of changes early on. Socially I'm finding it hard to find my place and be comfortable with who I am and where I'm at. Also dealing with plenty of mood swings.
This post has meant a lot to me because it has helped me see very clearly where I could be a little down the line. This has been motivational and inspirational. Thank you.
This post has meant a lot to me because it has helped me see very clearly where I could be a little down the line. This has been motivational and inspirational. Thank you.
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Northumberland, England
Posts: 113
"So glad I don't have to drink any more" is a great way of looking at sobriety.
I'm very tired today after climbing Ben Nevis yesterday, a good, healthy tiredness though and a sense of achievement that I have completed a bucket list item.
Quite a contrast to my previous standard Sunday of lying in bed feeling ill, shameful, full of guilt and remorse, depressed and anxious with the fear going through the roof.
Thank God I don't have to drink any more!
I'm very tired today after climbing Ben Nevis yesterday, a good, healthy tiredness though and a sense of achievement that I have completed a bucket list item.
Quite a contrast to my previous standard Sunday of lying in bed feeling ill, shameful, full of guilt and remorse, depressed and anxious with the fear going through the roof.
Thank God I don't have to drink any more!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Europe
Posts: 291
Originally Posted by Imtehaan 
Thank you so much.. Very inspiring.. I want to get there . As on today, I am just 12 days sober but already have experienced the bliss of morning freshness. Ability to think clearly through challenges and being able to relate to the sober people..
Originally Posted by amp123
It is great to hear about those long-term benefits. I'm only 55 days in and at times it is tough. There are a lot of changes early on. Socially I'm finding it hard to find my place and be comfortable with who I am and where I'm at. Also dealing with plenty of mood swings.
This post has meant a lot to me because it has helped me see very clearly where I could be a little down the line. This has been motivational and inspirational. Thank you.
This post has meant a lot to me because it has helped me see very clearly where I could be a little down the line. This has been motivational and inspirational. Thank you.
Not gonna lie: the first year for me was a whirlwind. Emotions and thoughts all over the place (but not constantly: moments of clarity and happiness were there too!). Brain needs time to readjust, and the AV is always watching for when you are vulnerable. But it goes dormant after a while - I'd say for me that was after about 4 months. Later on it simply goes into full hibernation.
The whirlwinds and mood changes will subside. It does get easier - you'll see.
Rivelino, exactly. When I think back of how horribly tiring the drinking got, and everything around it. The fear... no words for that. Getting sober was the escape, the liberation, not a punishment.
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