Jeni26

What have you done, for yourself or someone else, that you are proud of this year?

Looking back over the past can sometimes be a negative experience for us alcoholics and addicts, yet there is always a glimmer of hope for our futures. We are all here, standing together, looking at the start of a New Year.

We all have the potential to make next year great.

This year has been amazing for me. I am now 19 months sober and my life is changing so fast sometimes I can barely keep up.

One thing for me that I'm really proud of is that I quit smoking! I tried a million times and failed...but with the help of AVRT, I finally got it!! My family are so happy about this, and so am I.

So how about you...what have you done to be proud of?

KateL

Had a book that took me six years to write published and lost two stones x

Jeni26

Wow Kate...very impressive!

hypochondriac

I'll have to think about this. At some point I can't just be proud that I am sober Though that always comes top of the list. This year that I am sober and happy about it and not full of doubt!

Sounds stupid but I guess I am proud that I took on my little rescued dog and she's thriving under my care. I have never been responsible for anyone else's welfare before.

Well done on the smoking Jeni and the book getting published Kate! (Can you tell us what it's called...? ) x

Jeni26

I think taking on a rescue dog, and providing a loving nurturing home for her is a big deal actually Hypo!

Nothing stupid about that. Caring for another is HUGE, especially for us. We can get a little self absorbed can't we

Weasel1966

Wow... Thanks Jeni! Great that you kicked smoking!

Congrats on being a loving parent hypo!

Kate... What type of book? I am interested. I love to write.

Oh yeah... Me? Hmmm... Anyone that has followed the soggy saga of my life recently can attest. 2013 was a biggie. Only to be eclipsed by 2014!!!!

A chapter completed and a new one started this past October. And thankfulness has been my word of the year.

Thank you SR!

Ken

mecanix

I've got my weight back down to where i started with sobriety . I'm just over 18 st and am looking forwards to becoming a fitter and healthier weight .

I'm glad to reign in another of my out of control tendencies .

Thanks Jeni ,

Happy new year , m

Kaneda8888

Hi Jeni

Hmm, I have been reflecting tonight on 2013. Its been up and down for sure. However, there are 3 things that I am proud of: (1) reconnecting with my children in a meaningful way ; (2) ran my first half marathon and (3) gaining my sobriety (fingers and toes crossed) !!

KateL

I gave up smoking too, forgot to say. I think that was probably the hardest thing to kick ever. x

Jeni26

So proud of you Ken...

Here's to a bright and happy 2014 for you my friend xxx

Jeni26

Well done mecanix....erm the healthy eating fit me will emerge next year I'm thinking...I may need some tips though...

Happy new year to you too xxx

Jeni26

Kaneda...well done. I love what you wrote. Reconnecting with my children has been the single best thing that sobriety has given me too.

A reason to be very proud for sure x

LDT

Getting sober a year ago....Setting, and sticking to, boundaries.....learning to say " I'm not comfortable with that.".

(Side note to Hypo.... It never sounds stupid if you rescue an animal. That's awesome!)

hypochondriac

I think I am disproportionately proud though. Lots of people care for animals but for me it was really meaningful because I didn't think I was capable of it. And she has helped me so much in my recovery. She actually probably does more for me than I do for her! x

PurpleKnight

Thats's a very tough question!!

. . . I'm gonna fly the flag for those who are only recently sober or still struggling . . . and say I hope to look back upon 2014 this time next year with a newfound sense of achievement for things in life!!

Untill then, well done everyone!!

nigey1

For the first time since I was 14 years old I went a full calendar year without a single drink. Now nearly 38. Would never have believed it.

Here's to another year.

MeSoSober

I started volunteering for the first time in my life (I was 42). I was paired with a local senior citizen and my job as a volunteer was to spend time with her, take her out, etc.

That's something I want to continue doing in 2014 and for the rest of my life -- helping to make someone else's life better (which has the bonus benefit of enriching my own).

Happy 2014, all!!

LDT

^^^

Jeni26

So...a realisation that being sober is where you need to be and a commitment to work towards that..?

That is something to be very proud of because once that decision has been made, all things become possible

MidnightBlue

Great thread, Jeni!

You know that I have a black belt at self-beating but... Looking back at 2013 I think I have a few things to be proud of:

- entire 2013 was sober for me;
- I kicked sugars completely out of my nutrition - it wasn't easy but I won;
- I kicked all salty crunchy stuff out of my nutrition as well;
- I started doing boxing and made good progress;
- - I started meditating;
- And I walked through fear and got to the issue that had been petrifying for a long time and I wrapped up most of it just yesterday.

You've been with me on most of this journey, Jeni. Thank you!

Happy New Year and New great accomplishment to you, my SR friends!