Keeping Engaged
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Florida
Posts: 263
Keeping Engaged
One of the biggest reasons I drank was shear boredom. It was vicious cycle. I would drink because I had nothing much going on, but then I would be too hung over/anxious to actually do anything anyway so it just fed on itself.
I am trying to consciously break that cycle. Started small. Just getting up early (well early for me) and walking the dog no matter how I feel or what the weather is like. But slowly expanding that. This weekend I walked the dog a couple times, took the dog to the dog park, spent about 10 hours at work catching up on some work that I had fallen behind on due to family issues, sealed the new tile in my house, cleaned my shot gun, cleaned the kitchen, went swimming twice, went to a french cooking class, went through some old boxes from when I was a kid, and cleaned the bathroom. Some of these are merely tasks, but a lot of them were pretty rewarding and its almost like an "upward spiral" once I get engaged its easier to do the next little necessary step in life that I had been just ignoring.
Anyway feeling good today and wanted to share!
I am trying to consciously break that cycle. Started small. Just getting up early (well early for me) and walking the dog no matter how I feel or what the weather is like. But slowly expanding that. This weekend I walked the dog a couple times, took the dog to the dog park, spent about 10 hours at work catching up on some work that I had fallen behind on due to family issues, sealed the new tile in my house, cleaned my shot gun, cleaned the kitchen, went swimming twice, went to a french cooking class, went through some old boxes from when I was a kid, and cleaned the bathroom. Some of these are merely tasks, but a lot of them were pretty rewarding and its almost like an "upward spiral" once I get engaged its easier to do the next little necessary step in life that I had been just ignoring.
Anyway feeling good today and wanted to share!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Central America/Florida USA
Posts: 4,064
The little things really do go a long way don't they? I remember when just pulling myself up to take a shower was hard. I started small after I got sober too, just walking to the park, going for a swim, a bike ride - anything was a major accomplishments. You are right, it is good to build on the little things, positive momentum will keep you rolling.
Better when never is never
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Wisconsin near Twin Cities
Posts: 1,745
Excellent! I am trying really hard to make taking a shower and getting dressed an activity that occurs shortly after waking up. I work at home and some days, I have to rush and get a shower before the kids get home from school. Getting ready to face the day has a very positive effect on my outlook and mood.
Not Alone
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: South East UK
Posts: 1,513
Getting clean and sober made me realise how much free time I actually do have. I still struggle with one of my main character defects, which is procrastination. If I don't have to do something then the likelihood is I won't. However I now have the option to find things that interest me. I might take a creative writing course soon. Purely because I can. And that's just one of the gifts recovery has given me.
Natom.
Natom.
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