New method of celebration required!
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: England
Posts: 81
New method of celebration required!
I’ve just finished two assignments well within their submission dates and I’m feeling good! Normally I would get stressed about an assignment, start drinking and end up losing three days of valuable study time. Then I’d wake up with a dreadful hangover, foggy-minded, unenthusiastic and half-heartedly regurgitate something with all the forethought of a hiccup.
Tomorrow I’m celebrating two whole weeks off the sauce, and I cannot believe how different I feel. I’ll have a couple of days off work over the weekend to visit friends, cook tasty foods and do some Christmas preparation, all without a hangover!
My only regret is that I didn’t stop sooner. Occasionally I think; “God, everything is great! Let’s have a drink to celebrate!” … then I remember that not drinking is my reason to celebrate in the first place. It’s not a real, formed thought; it’s not even a temptation, just a silly habit shaped over many years by my entertaining just about any excuse for a drink. So, my question is …
What should be my new way to celebrate? What’s yours?
Tomorrow I’m celebrating two whole weeks off the sauce, and I cannot believe how different I feel. I’ll have a couple of days off work over the weekend to visit friends, cook tasty foods and do some Christmas preparation, all without a hangover!
My only regret is that I didn’t stop sooner. Occasionally I think; “God, everything is great! Let’s have a drink to celebrate!” … then I remember that not drinking is my reason to celebrate in the first place. It’s not a real, formed thought; it’s not even a temptation, just a silly habit shaped over many years by my entertaining just about any excuse for a drink. So, my question is …
What should be my new way to celebrate? What’s yours?
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,554
How about some ice cream? or treat yourself to a good movie or dinner out? Or take out if a restaurant or bar scene is still too tempting to drink. But definitely treat yourself to something you enjoy and find relaxing.
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Great post! Congrats on finishing your assignments and feeling good about them and on your 2 weeks - way to go!
I definitely think we need to reward ourselves and/or have things to look forward to. When I was first sober, I used the money I'd normally spend on wine and ordered carryout each night from a favorite restaurant. I also love splurging at art/craft stores. Then again, sometimes I just allow myself a day to do nothing.
Sobriety is like getting to know ourselves again. Who knows.... maybe you'll come up with a new hobby or pastime as you go along.....
I definitely think we need to reward ourselves and/or have things to look forward to. When I was first sober, I used the money I'd normally spend on wine and ordered carryout each night from a favorite restaurant. I also love splurging at art/craft stores. Then again, sometimes I just allow myself a day to do nothing.
Sobriety is like getting to know ourselves again. Who knows.... maybe you'll come up with a new hobby or pastime as you go along.....
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 929
Seeing as I drank every single day, no matter what was going on in my life...I can't say I ever drank to celebrate.
I drank, because I was awake.
I'd like to say congratulations on your success and treat yourself to something nice!
I drank, because I was awake.
I'd like to say congratulations on your success and treat yourself to something nice!
everything is already ok
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Melbourne Victoria Australia
Posts: 19,793
Congrats 
I celebrate every day but not picking up
but I also do crazy snoopy type dances
sing a lot
focus on doing the best I can
I am writing again
Taking lots of photos
I keep fit
I go out with friends a lot
In short I celebrate being clean by being alive rather than what I used to do which was being dead
I celebrate every day but not picking up
but I also do crazy snoopy type dances
sing a lot
focus on doing the best I can
I am writing again
Taking lots of photos
I keep fit
I go out with friends a lot
In short I celebrate being clean by being alive rather than what I used to do which was being dead
Clear Eyes Full Heart
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,272
You are doing great!
Sometimes I celebrate by taking a nap lol I still go out and see friends when I want to celebrate something, I just bring an ice tea or coffee with me. I read more, take more photographs, keep in touch with old friends more, working on doing more creative things that I love. I do feel that celebrations for occasions are more special now. It's not about the drinking/excuse to drink it's about what you're actually supposed to be celebrating.
I had a hard time with this for the first few months. Now I find I'm having fun doing ordinary things and I'm making time to go to things I read about but always somehow missed because I went to the bar instead.
Sometimes I celebrate by taking a nap lol I still go out and see friends when I want to celebrate something, I just bring an ice tea or coffee with me. I read more, take more photographs, keep in touch with old friends more, working on doing more creative things that I love. I do feel that celebrations for occasions are more special now. It's not about the drinking/excuse to drink it's about what you're actually supposed to be celebrating.
I had a hard time with this for the first few months. Now I find I'm having fun doing ordinary things and I'm making time to go to things I read about but always somehow missed because I went to the bar instead.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: England
Posts: 81
Thanks everybody, these suggestions are great!
I'm definitely going to take a bubble bath tonight, and have a little read ... I love that suggestion! So relaxing and satisfying.
I also like the "snoopy dance" comment - I do that too! I really like to hear about the positives of sobriety. Often I fear that new abstainers are of the mind set that they are depriving themselves; responses like you guys' make it plain to see that in fact we are freeing ourselves
I'm definitely going to take a bubble bath tonight, and have a little read ... I love that suggestion! So relaxing and satisfying.
I also like the "snoopy dance" comment - I do that too! I really like to hear about the positives of sobriety. Often I fear that new abstainers are of the mind set that they are depriving themselves; responses like you guys' make it plain to see that in fact we are freeing ourselves
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,348
I buy myself books as a treat or celebration. I've rediscovered reading, now that I can remember what I've read, and it suits my quiet personality perfectly. Also, chocolate!!
If I'm at some kind of celebratory event or holiday dinner, I like a little something special to drink. Like you said Ro, it's not about depriving ourselves! I like mocktails like white grapefruit juice w/ soda water, or for nice dinners I like pomegranate juice, and then I always treat myself to an extra cup of decaf after dinner too...and probably chocolate!
If I'm at some kind of celebratory event or holiday dinner, I like a little something special to drink. Like you said Ro, it's not about depriving ourselves!
I like mocktails like white grapefruit juice w/ soda water, or for nice dinners I like pomegranate juice, and then I always treat myself to an extra cup of decaf after dinner too...and probably chocolate!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: the interior of beautiful British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 37
Since booze has so many calories, I can now replace it with other "high calorie" items such as peppermint mocha & shortbread cookies.
That is how I celebrate... no drink in hand but some sweets!
That is how I celebrate... no drink in hand but some sweets!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Lynnwood WA
Posts: 424
I go grocery shopping. How many of us ate cheap crap when we were drinking? I can now get a ton of great food for 100 bucks! My grocery bill is so much lower since quitting.
I also have spent the day in bed, catching up on movies and shows (and remembering them) and snuggling with my dogs. I think it's okay to be lazy sometimes. Catching up on my shows is being productive in my mind instead of puking and sweating the day away.
I completely agree with celebrating our accomplishments with out drinking. I also think that we should celebrate getting through a tough situation without alcohol. Such as going to a Christmas party and not drinking. I would celebrate that with a massage or something.
I also have spent the day in bed, catching up on movies and shows (and remembering them) and snuggling with my dogs. I think it's okay to be lazy sometimes. Catching up on my shows is being productive in my mind instead of puking and sweating the day away.
I completely agree with celebrating our accomplishments with out drinking. I also think that we should celebrate getting through a tough situation without alcohol. Such as going to a Christmas party and not drinking. I would celebrate that with a massage or something.
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: "I'm not lost for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost ..."
Posts: 5,273
shoes....and boots.
books
bubble baths
music
dancing
cooking
live bands
thrift shopping
spending time with my boys...
more tattoos
and trying all the things I always blabbered on about but was too drunk and lazy to actually do, beyond just talk a bunch of sh*t and making drunken grand plans that never came to fruition. Some of these things I've done, will do again, and some are in the works. Eventually they'll all be checked off, plus more: skydiving, public speaking, pole dancing, belly dancing, rock climbing, ziplining, running...
hell maybe I should even run with the bulls LOL
You really do only live once.
books
bubble baths
music
dancing
cooking
live bands
thrift shopping
spending time with my boys...
more tattoos
and trying all the things I always blabbered on about but was too drunk and lazy to actually do, beyond just talk a bunch of sh*t and making drunken grand plans that never came to fruition. Some of these things I've done, will do again, and some are in the works. Eventually they'll all be checked off, plus more: skydiving, public speaking, pole dancing, belly dancing, rock climbing, ziplining, running...
hell maybe I should even run with the bulls LOL
You really do only live once.
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