Today
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 103
Today
I have been very positive about staying sober this weekend but it's hard. I would normally be drinking now. Overwhelmed with thoughts and anxiety. Just taking it one minute at a time. 
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Hey, keeping busy was one of my tools early-on. Also feeling part of something was important to me.
Did you join the "Class of July" thread?
How about joining us on the Weekender Stay Sober thread? It's already up to 12 pages, read through it - it's fun and inspiration. All topics are covered!
Here's the link:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...july-24-a.html
Did you join the "Class of July" thread?
How about joining us on the Weekender Stay Sober thread? It's already up to 12 pages, read through it - it's fun and inspiration. All topics are covered!
Here's the link:
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...july-24-a.html
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
I had a lot of anxiety too. It gets lots better if you hang in there. It's tough in the beginning but you can make it. Just go to bed sober tonight, and be grateful in the morning!
It's uncomfortable but I just had to stay busy, eat, sleep, take walks. In the first three or four months I also went to AA meetings every day. They got me dressed and out of the house and focusing on positive things.
It's uncomfortable but I just had to stay busy, eat, sleep, take walks. In the first three or four months I also went to AA meetings every day. They got me dressed and out of the house and focusing on positive things.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Boston, Mass
Posts: 1,004
For my first month or so it kind of felt like I had "extra" time on my hands. Time that I would have otherwise drank away. I tried to use that time to do things that I wanted to do but would skip had I been drinking. Reading was big for me. Crossword puzzles. Spending an hour or two on youtube. Actually cooking a meal and eating it (and remember eating it
) Sometimes I would spend most of my day here at SR.
I also embraced the feeling of weirdness at times - and it really did feel weird at first. Sitting in a place I wouldn't normally sit. Walk to the grocery store instead of driving. Listening to talk radio instead of watching tv. I dunno, maybe I was just exercising my freedom in these small ways. After all, I could really do anything I chose. All I had to do was not drink.
Hang in there daybyday, it gets better!
) Sometimes I would spend most of my day here at SR. I also embraced the feeling of weirdness at times - and it really did feel weird at first. Sitting in a place I wouldn't normally sit. Walk to the grocery store instead of driving. Listening to talk radio instead of watching tv. I dunno, maybe I was just exercising my freedom in these small ways. After all, I could really do anything I chose. All I had to do was not drink.
Hang in there daybyday, it gets better!
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,497
Are there plans you can make for today and the rest of the weekend that don't involve alcohol and that you would enjoy? It's hot, hazy and humid here, but I've already been out hiking for an hour. What do you like to do? Try to take your mind off drinking, even for a few minutes.
Guest
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 444
What SDH said.... particularly about "embracing the weirdness" in early sobriety. And Anna's post about the early hike.
It is a weird feeling to be sober when you normally wouldn't be and for me the days seem really long. My goal has been to fill the day with as many productive things as I can and to then gratefully lunge into bed at a ridiculously early time. Final thought before sleep each night is one of thankfulness that there is another day down. I'm hoping that this race to the end of the day will slow down at some point but it is really helpful now.
Good luck.
Jonathan
It is a weird feeling to be sober when you normally wouldn't be and for me the days seem really long. My goal has been to fill the day with as many productive things as I can and to then gratefully lunge into bed at a ridiculously early time. Final thought before sleep each night is one of thankfulness that there is another day down. I'm hoping that this race to the end of the day will slow down at some point but it is really helpful now.
Good luck.
Jonathan
aka Nesty
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Northern Vt.
Posts: 1,554
I got into arts & crafts - Paint by number pic. Cross stitch simple things I wouldn't get frustrated on ! Oh hook rugs was another one I enjoyed the most . I'm a collector of all things that are Eagle related . I made a rug with an Eagle on it flying in a sunset . It's next to my bed , nice reminder for me
You must have some kind of hobbies you like , or find some thing that may interest you .
You must have some kind of hobbies you like , or find some thing that may interest you .
And now making a decaf 
Member
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 14,919
I've been there.
In the begining it might be minute by minute.
But as the anxiety starts to decrease it gets better, maybe hour by hour and then, day by day.
It may be hard for you to believe, but I'm at the point where I don't really think about drinking alcohol.
A few times a year I may have a situation in my life where the "poop hits the fan" and I might think that, "gee, some booze might be good right now." I quickly resort to the tools I've learned to knock that thought down.
In the begining it might be minute by minute.
But as the anxiety starts to decrease it gets better, maybe hour by hour and then, day by day.
It may be hard for you to believe, but I'm at the point where I don't really think about drinking alcohol.
A few times a year I may have a situation in my life where the "poop hits the fan" and I might think that, "gee, some booze might be good right now." I quickly resort to the tools I've learned to knock that thought down.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: New England
Posts: 1,926
I totally relate to your post daybyday. It's been a hard weekend for me too. My AV was been very LOUD today (and yesterday). By the grace of God, I have ignored it and am also going to bed sober. Great job on your sober day too! The longer we go without a drink the easier it will get! That's what I keep telling myself over and over and over! Stay strong!!! :-)
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