Taking pleasure in the little things
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 318
Taking pleasure in the little things
In the months leading up to finally quitting drinking, I would look at the people on the street around me and think of how "fresh faced" they looked. I would think of how haggardly, tired, and grey I felt in comparison. I was envious of the normal people and wondered how they did it.
Tonight I was on my way home and stopped off at the tea shop for my usual peppermint tea. The girl behind the counter looked at me and said "You look so much better today, you don't look tired and you don't look so sad."
I'm turning into one of those "fresh faced normal people" that I used to be so envious of.
Tonight I was on my way home and stopped off at the tea shop for my usual peppermint tea. The girl behind the counter looked at me and said "You look so much better today, you don't look tired and you don't look so sad."
I'm turning into one of those "fresh faced normal people" that I used to be so envious of.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,276
Omega, your post made me grin from ear to ear!
I feel the same way. I find that I'm smiling more, happier to see people, interested in life. It is such a relief and continually surprising to find that I have energy again - physically, emotionally, spiritually. Simply to be able to sleep normally again - through the night - and wake up feeling good is such a gift.
Thanks for reminding me of this ... so grateful!
I feel the same way. I find that I'm smiling more, happier to see people, interested in life. It is such a relief and continually surprising to find that I have energy again - physically, emotionally, spiritually. Simply to be able to sleep normally again - through the night - and wake up feeling good is such a gift.
Thanks for reminding me of this ... so grateful!
dopeless hope fiend
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Here. Now.
Posts: 1,021
Ahhh, the little things. I had someone comment on how good i looked after my meeting tonight. Funny how i was the last to realize how haggard and disheveled i'd become. Well i guess it's not surprising since i couldn't even look in the mirror toward the end of my using.
And how about the stupendousness of morning sunshine, a little snow on the ground, hell even the grass looks greener on any particular day now.
Oh, and how about brushing your teeth before bed every night and making that bed up in the morning. Yeah baby.
Oooh, and how about making a list and actually checking off each task on it because you finished them. What a novel concept!
And smiles and eye contact and hugs and actually giving a crap about about the cashier making your change in the gas station. Yes, the little things are the best.
What a blessing to participate in life again!
And how about the stupendousness of morning sunshine, a little snow on the ground, hell even the grass looks greener on any particular day now.
Oh, and how about brushing your teeth before bed every night and making that bed up in the morning. Yeah baby.
Oooh, and how about making a list and actually checking off each task on it because you finished them. What a novel concept!
And smiles and eye contact and hugs and actually giving a crap about about the cashier making your change in the gas station. Yes, the little things are the best.
What a blessing to participate in life again!
Don't resist, allow
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: South East of England
Posts: 1,521
That's a lovely compliment. I'm glad you enjoying the benefits of sobriety.
The consultant at the hospital the other day looked at my file and said "Are you really 41? you look so much younger"
When I experience the feeling of receiving such a compliment it reminds to do the same to someone else. Little things like this can really make someone's day.
The consultant at the hospital the other day looked at my file and said "Are you really 41? you look so much younger"
When I experience the feeling of receiving such a compliment it reminds to do the same to someone else. Little things like this can really make someone's day.
Community Greeter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
I remember smelling coffee in the morning & wishing I was interested in having some instead of a drink to stop the shakes. I wanted to be normal, but saw no way out. I also thought I was fooling everyone by using mouthwash, eyedrops & perfume - all my little cover-ups that didn't ever work. What a waste of time & effort.
I enjoyed this nice, upbeat post - I'll be thinking today of other things that are different now that I've quit - maybe even make a list. It's easy to forget what it used to be like when we were sick. Thanks, Omega10.
I enjoyed this nice, upbeat post - I'll be thinking today of other things that are different now that I've quit - maybe even make a list. It's easy to forget what it used to be like when we were sick. Thanks, Omega10.
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Living in Today!
Posts: 3,945
Originally Posted by Omega10 
In the months leading up to finally quitting drinking, I would look at the people on the street around me and think of how "fresh faced" they looked. I would think of how haggardly, tired, and grey I felt in comparison. I was envious of the normal people and wondered how they did it.
Tonight I was on my way home and stopped off at the tea shop for my usual peppermint tea. The girl behind the counter looked at me and said "You look so much better today, you don't look tired and you don't look so sad."
I'm turning into one of those "fresh faced normal people" that I used to be so envious of.
Tonight I was on my way home and stopped off at the tea shop for my usual peppermint tea. The girl behind the counter looked at me and said "You look so much better today, you don't look tired and you don't look so sad."
I'm turning into one of those "fresh faced normal people" that I used to be so envious of.
Follow Directions!
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Fredericksburg, Va.
Posts: 9,730
I love post like this, for me what I saw in me as a person, physically, ,mentally, & spiritually lagged behind what others saw.
In early sobriety I was so mentally whacked in the first month that I was unable to see that I actually looked better physically then I had in years. What opened my eyes was a lady came up to me after a meeting and told me just how much better I looked then compared to what I looked like when I first came into the rooms. I will always hold a special place in my heart for her, she was 84 at the time and had been sober for 30 years, what she said to me made a huge disserence for me.
After that meeting I went home and took a REAL look at me! For many years I avoided looking at the miserable man in my mirror, his face was all puffy looking with red puffy looking eyes and nasty looking skin! I hated myself then, I looked like death warmed over. The person I saw in the mirror that night looked 10-15 years younger then the old nasty looking drunk I used to see! The puffyness was gone, my eyes were clear and the bags were gone & my skin looked vibrant for some one 52 years old who had spent way to much time in the sun!
As I continued in my recovery I had folks mention that I had lost weight, I really had not, my swollen liver was returning to a normal size. My family in particular commented often on how much better of a person I was becoming, my wife continues to say to me how much better of a man I am today, she ask me where the calm & understanding Martin came from?
Thanks for starting this thread, it reminds me and any one else who has been in recovery for some time reading this just how much we do change on the outside as we also change on the inside.
In early sobriety I was so mentally whacked in the first month that I was unable to see that I actually looked better physically then I had in years. What opened my eyes was a lady came up to me after a meeting and told me just how much better I looked then compared to what I looked like when I first came into the rooms. I will always hold a special place in my heart for her, she was 84 at the time and had been sober for 30 years, what she said to me made a huge disserence for me.
After that meeting I went home and took a REAL look at me! For many years I avoided looking at the miserable man in my mirror, his face was all puffy looking with red puffy looking eyes and nasty looking skin! I hated myself then, I looked like death warmed over. The person I saw in the mirror that night looked 10-15 years younger then the old nasty looking drunk I used to see! The puffyness was gone, my eyes were clear and the bags were gone & my skin looked vibrant for some one 52 years old who had spent way to much time in the sun!
As I continued in my recovery I had folks mention that I had lost weight, I really had not, my swollen liver was returning to a normal size. My family in particular commented often on how much better of a person I was becoming, my wife continues to say to me how much better of a man I am today, she ask me where the calm & understanding Martin came from?
Thanks for starting this thread, it reminds me and any one else who has been in recovery for some time reading this just how much we do change on the outside as we also change on the inside.
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: somewhere, SD
Posts: 177
Wonderful thread, thank you for reminding us of the brightness that can lay in store. And I bet that did just feel great (: I'm happy for you.
It's interesting to see so many people who couldn't/wouldn't/didn't like to look in the mirror. I've been at that stage for a couple years, minus a couple month+ sober stints. And I still don't want my picture taken, because I don't want to see how I look, much less have it floating around the net for others to see.
What a nice, uplifting story that brings a smile and hope to at least one alcoholic out there, thanks Omega.
It's interesting to see so many people who couldn't/wouldn't/didn't like to look in the mirror. I've been at that stage for a couple years, minus a couple month+ sober stints. And I still don't want my picture taken, because I don't want to see how I look, much less have it floating around the net for others to see.
What a nice, uplifting story that brings a smile and hope to at least one alcoholic out there, thanks Omega.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Posts: 318
When I started this thread, I had no idea the impact it would have on everyone who read it. Receiving the compliment was great, but seeing that the post gave hope and inspiration to so many others has given me joy beyond belief!
Thank you all for sharing your stories, and for giving me a big smile to go with my morning coffee!
Thank you all for sharing your stories, and for giving me a big smile to go with my morning coffee!
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Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 2,013
I cannot believe how ill people look who have opbviously been out drinking the night before when I'm at work on Saturday. They will have no doubt drank nowhere near as much as I used to drink. I must have looked really ill!!
I can't also believe how much booze lingers on breath even after one pint of beer. I must have stunk of booze!! LOL. If you're drinking alcoholically then you're fooling noone!!! But yourself that is!!
So grateful to be sober and feeling/looking healthy!!
Peace and Love xx
I can't also believe how much booze lingers on breath even after one pint of beer. I must have stunk of booze!! LOL. If you're drinking alcoholically then you're fooling noone!!! But yourself that is!!
So grateful to be sober and feeling/looking healthy!!
Peace and Love xx
Member
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bowling Green KY
Posts: 275
thank you very much for this thread.
i too look tons better. have put on weight that was needed.
no more puffy face.
no more black eyes.
unreal difference.
i catch myself noticing the 'hard living' in other folks faces now. i can almost pick them out of a crowd. my heart breaks for them.
i too look tons better. have put on weight that was needed.
no more puffy face.
no more black eyes.
unreal difference.
i catch myself noticing the 'hard living' in other folks faces now. i can almost pick them out of a crowd. my heart breaks for them.
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