Starting to feel "normal"
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 22
Starting to feel "normal"
21 days and counting! What a ride it's been, first few days sick, next few feeling extra good, then back to not so hot then feeling emotional. Second guessing myself and questioning my own judgement. Yep, all that stuff in just a few weeks...
Today I woke at a reasonable time felt rested and ready for the day. I ate a nice oatmeal breakfast, had carrot, tomato and celery juice for lunch and pumpkin soup for dinner. I've had energy all day, no bummer thoughts, feel relaxed and ready to do some reading then get another night sleep.
I am living proof that it can be done, if you're new to this group and are wondering, I was the guy who had been a daily drinker for 20 years but escalated to being drunk or buzzed from the time I woke until I passed out at night since March.
Now I'm sober and if it wasn't actually happening to me I wouldn't have believed it possible.
Today I woke at a reasonable time felt rested and ready for the day. I ate a nice oatmeal breakfast, had carrot, tomato and celery juice for lunch and pumpkin soup for dinner. I've had energy all day, no bummer thoughts, feel relaxed and ready to do some reading then get another night sleep.
I am living proof that it can be done, if you're new to this group and are wondering, I was the guy who had been a daily drinker for 20 years but escalated to being drunk or buzzed from the time I woke until I passed out at night since March.
Now I'm sober and if it wasn't actually happening to me I wouldn't have believed it possible.
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Where the sun is always shining
Posts: 425
Originally Posted by wyldwest 
21 days and counting! What a ride it's been, first few days sick, next few feeling extra good, then back to not so hot then feeling emotional. Second guessing myself and questioning my own judgement. Yep, all that stuff in just a few weeks...
Today I woke at a reasonable time felt rested and ready for the day. I ate a nice oatmeal breakfast, had carrot, tomato and celery juice for lunch and pumpkin soup for dinner. I've had energy all day, no bummer thoughts, feel relaxed and ready to do some reading then get another night sleep.
I am living proof that it can be done, if you're new to this group and are wondering, I was the guy who had been a daily drinker for 20 years but escalated to being drunk or buzzed from the time I woke until I passed out at night since March.
Now I'm sober and if it wasn't actually happening to me I wouldn't have believed it possible.
Today I woke at a reasonable time felt rested and ready for the day. I ate a nice oatmeal breakfast, had carrot, tomato and celery juice for lunch and pumpkin soup for dinner. I've had energy all day, no bummer thoughts, feel relaxed and ready to do some reading then get another night sleep.
I am living proof that it can be done, if you're new to this group and are wondering, I was the guy who had been a daily drinker for 20 years but escalated to being drunk or buzzed from the time I woke until I passed out at night since March.
Now I'm sober and if it wasn't actually happening to me I wouldn't have believed it possible.
I'm here to learn!
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: I'm on it!
Posts: 2,038
That's awesome, I'm very happy for you!
Don't be surprised if the sense of normalcy passes and you have days where you feel a lack of progress -- I'm at 6 months and these days still come occasionally. If you're not prepared for them they can really throw you off, but it makes sense if you've been a daily drinker for so long that it takes some time for the damage to be repaired.
When things feel normal though it is quite a good feeling, so enjoy it!
Don't be surprised if the sense of normalcy passes and you have days where you feel a lack of progress -- I'm at 6 months and these days still come occasionally. If you're not prepared for them they can really throw you off, but it makes sense if you've been a daily drinker for so long that it takes some time for the damage to be repaired.
When things feel normal though it is quite a good feeling, so enjoy it!
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 22
Originally Posted by Zebra1275
Congratulations on 21 days!
It seems like 20 years of daily drinking would be a pretty ingrained habit. Are you working some type of program to help?
It seems like 20 years of daily drinking would be a pretty ingrained habit. Are you working some type of program to help?
No programs, I actually planned my quitting date weeks in advance, I went to Vegas had a really fun trip. By the last day of the trip I was ready to stop drinking. The most difficult part for me is my wife and our friends still drink so now I'm kind of an outcast :-) But I don't care... I feel great on Sunday morning and it makes me feel kind of (for lack of a better word) powerful? Not that I'm better than them, just strong willed, in control of myself and I like it!
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
Like you, wyldwest, I decided to quit, so I did. I agree so much with that feeling you described as 'powerful' and 'in control'. I didn't know either if my will was going to be strong enough, but it is. Now I know that my will is stronger than my alcoholic voice, that little creep. Never did like him.
So, now you can do things that used to scare the bejeesus out of you, what's next?
So, now you can do things that used to scare the bejeesus out of you, what's next?
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 48
I"m so glad I googled and found this site. I need help and support to stop drinking. I have wanted to stop for a long time (years) and I'm at the point now where I really really want to stop. It's inspiring to read these posts and know that you are all there doing this with me!!! Thanks for sharing your stories. Today is my first day of not drinking... I know I'll be tempted this week, but I'm not going to drink. I'm going to come here instead!!! Thank you thank you. Danica
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,518
Wyld - I'm so proud of your accomplishment. I agree, you have a great attitude, and that makes it so much easier. I was very resentful, and that gets us nowhere.
Danica - welcome to our family! We're so glad to meet you. Tell us more.
Danica - welcome to our family! We're so glad to meet you. Tell us more.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Utah
Posts: 18
Great job on the sobriety! I have many friends and family who drink and I've been pondering how I'm going to cope with the drinking situations that will inevitably arise and I've decided I'm just going to say "No thanks" and keep it at that. If they ask further I'll just say "you know, I used to drink but I found out it's not for me". Should be enough said.
Danica, You've come to the right place. Everyone was at day 1 at some point, so keep your chin up and stay sober!
Danica, You've come to the right place. Everyone was at day 1 at some point, so keep your chin up and stay sober!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 22
Ramblings of a hopeful human
Another nice day, woke up this morning with that annoying headache again but after a nice breakfast and a few glasses of water it did subside.
I spent a lot of time outside yesterday and today. It's very cold but sunny and dry.
No alcohol cravings I really don't miss the stuff, I think I must have caught myself at the perfect point in a cycle.
I may have also found a job recently. Phone interview followed by a face to face.
Gray skies are gunna clear up :-)
I spent a lot of time outside yesterday and today. It's very cold but sunny and dry.
No alcohol cravings I really don't miss the stuff, I think I must have caught myself at the perfect point in a cycle.
I may have also found a job recently. Phone interview followed by a face to face.
Gray skies are gunna clear up :-)
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 22
-- 45 Days and walking every day --
So now instead of a screwdriver and a flop on the couch, I get up and walk for 30 minutes. It's really made a big difference in my attitude and it's nice to get out and enjoy the morning. I've made big changes in my diet as well which I'm sure has a lot to do with how much better I'm feeling these days...
I read a book that I would like to share, it really goes right in line with my own personal thoughts of late. The book is called [8 weeks to optimum health]. Just like most self help books, not everything is for me but I must admit, there's more there for me than not!
I'm starting week 3 now and feeling better every day!!!
So anyway, if you're so inclined and read the book. Please let me know if you liked it. Because if I'm the only one that liked it, I'll stop suggesting it :-)
“Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusions of counsel, until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong – these are the features that constitute the endless repetition of history.”
- Winston Churchill
I read a book that I would like to share, it really goes right in line with my own personal thoughts of late. The book is called [8 weeks to optimum health]. Just like most self help books, not everything is for me but I must admit, there's more there for me than not!
I'm starting week 3 now and feeling better every day!!!
So anyway, if you're so inclined and read the book. Please let me know if you liked it. Because if I'm the only one that liked it, I'll stop suggesting it :-)
“Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusions of counsel, until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong – these are the features that constitute the endless repetition of history.”
- Winston Churchill
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