Kate15

I've been enjoying the moment during the night when I stir/wake a little and I realise that I am not drunk, don't need a litre of water and i know that when I wake up in the morning I won't feel like rubbish with a nasty hangover.

It's like a little smile comes over my face in the dark, and a little bit of light shines in my heart as I realise tomorrow is going to be ok.

I also love not having to beat myself up the next day for breaking promises I made to myself.

What thing/things do you like about not drinking?

Fly N Buy

Hi Kate!
Nice thread

I would say probably clarity of thought ( though friends might laugh ). Around six months the fog lifted / had no idea how bad synapses had truly become.

Glad you're here!

Hevyn

A lovely post Kate.

I love not having to worry about what I said or did - that awful dread and fear. I'm clear headed and in control - no shaking and counting the minutes until my next drink. A terrible way to live.

Nevertheless

FREEDOM
I was a 5 oclock drunk. And from 5 oclock on, booze owned me until I passed out.

BackToSquareOne

I would say the biggest thing is no more hangovers, withdrawals and mood swings. Also no longer feeling I need a substance to get through the day or at least feel half way normal.

least

The best thing for me is waking up feeling good each day and not hating myself anymore.

suki44883

I love actually falling asleep instead of passing out.
I love waking up feeling rested instead of feeling like hammered shite.
I love not having to try to remember how many beers I had in the fridge and whether I needed to stop on the way home from work to buy more.
I love the money I save.

There's more, but that's a start.

Kate15

These are so good. 😊

Kate15

Yeah, not having to beat myself up is so good. I can actually dedicate my thinking to something constructive.

Not caught on a merry-go-round of I feel crap..drink it away...wake up...I feel crap..etc, etc

MelindaFlowers

I like having a sense of normalcy in my life. Everything isn't "up in the air" and unpredictable like it was before.

I am in control of myself. I no longer embarrass myself.

No hangovers. Praise The Lord no hangovers!

I am no longer in fear that I will sleep through my alarm clock and be late for work.

No longer paranoid about my hungover face and wondering if people can tell.

I no longer humiliate myself by calling sober people while I am drunk and slurring.

Don't miss checking the call/text logs the next day.

In a nutshell, I'm just really happy to have control over my thoughts and actions.

MelindaFlowers

Almost forgot about the mood swings. I was angry all the time. Angry upon waking that I was hungover, yet again and had to face the day. Angry all day with the hangover. Angry I had to drive, work, shop.
Angry at the line at the liquor store.

Pour that first drink...........

All was well in the world. Smiling, content, laughing.

But then blackout........

Angry again. Depressed. Scared. Verbally abusive

Next morning repeat whole cycle. Seven days a week.

On The Road

Waking up knowing where I am, how I got there, and remembering everything I did before hand.

aasharon90

By using and incorporating the 12 Steps
in my everyday life over the years has
allowed me to enjoy and treasure the
PROMISES as written in the Big Book
of Alcoholics Anonymous.

With Willingness and Openmindedness
I ultimately achieved Honesty which has
given me that FREEDOM I had not truly
experienced before in my life.

All thes GIFTS in recovery I will not
take for granted but embrace them
with all my sober heart, mind and soul.

QuietToday

Waking up with so much embarrassment that I'd have an earnest want to tear my face off with my hands, scream and then go put a bullet through my head.

Not having that feeling any day, let alone each and every day, is what keeps me going. When I get cravings that's all I need to remind myself of; seriously the worst, most shameful feeling in the world.

So I can be happy for every day that I don't feel that. Even my lousiest sober day has yet to compare to the every morning of guilty and embarrassed lucidity while drinking.

Della1968

I absolutely love early mornings now. Also how clean my house is. Some of this never gets old to me and I hope it never does.

hothow

my god this is so true,exactly me!

behindblueyes

Im happy I can watch a movie and actually concentrate on what it's about. Not squinting one eye and trying to convince myself I am understanding the plot.

Happy to wake up with the doors locked because I forgot, again, to lock them leaving myself in danger because I live alone on a dangerous bus line.

Actually happy to see the sun because it doesn't make me pour buckets of sweat.

The big one is no more thinking.. should I risk going to the drive-thru to get another 30 pack or will these 10 last me. What if I run out? *Panic* Am I over the limit? I fought with that every day. So foolish.

MsJax

What I like most about being sober, as years go by now, is I am more free and confident to be myself. I take more risks as I become more real. I let go of bullsh*t. In the past year (sober over 4), I have realized my level of stress was hurting my health and peace. I sold my company, took a big pay cut, got rid of TV, quit loaning money, started eating chemical free food, spend lots of time with my animals, have a garden. One of the best things is: I have landed a job with a company I have so much respect for. Pay is terrible, but it is full time with full benefits doing something I 100% believe in & love. (Advocating and caring for physically and mentally challenged adults). Sobriety Rocks.

FarToGo

I like that my skin has improved, less red and puckered. I like my eyes are clear every day. I'm less paranoid that people at work will know I'm a booze head.
I like the progress I'm making at the gym, honestly my workouts are going from strength to strength since getting sober.
I have some more control over my anger and frustration (though this is a work in progress).
MOST of all I love being there for my daughter, I can give her a lift anytime, I can listen to her properly anytime..........She's 18 and has her own life now, but we are closer than ever.
Valuable stuff.
Thanks, great post.
xx

24hrsAday

i really like being able to "think" (again) the little things mean so much as well... being able to "listen" to someone who is hurting and REALLY Hear them..