I Made It Through Christmas
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sobersville, USA
Posts: 159
I Made It Through Christmas
I'm 26 days sober this time. Easy to keep track when my first dry night was December One.
I got some phone calls as the holiday neared. One 'friend' called and said he wanted to come by. He wanted to do some hiking on Christmas Day, which I was all for. He knows I have been struggling with drinking, but he said that we could drink beer at night after the hike. I said that I wasn't going to do that, and he got pissed. He was trying to talk me into it, and I ended up yelling at him and telling him to stay the f*#k away from me.
Another friend invited me to dinner with his family. There was a lot of drinking going on. I said that I was not comfortable with that right now. He told me that I needed to learn to be around drinking in social situations. Maybe so, but not right now. I have to do what's right for me.
I loaded up a flash drive with almost a hundred songs, went out and found a pancake house yesterday morning. Had a huge breakfast, and then drove out into the country. Drinking tea, listening to music, crying a lot. I burned a lot of gas, but I saw some beautiful plantations and countryside.
I made it home around seven o'clock, and did some reading. Turned off the lights around 8:30, and I managed to sleep for ten hours. No sleep aids, no alcohol.
Success. Not the best Christmas I ever had. No presents, no companionship, but I am sober.
I got some phone calls as the holiday neared. One 'friend' called and said he wanted to come by. He wanted to do some hiking on Christmas Day, which I was all for. He knows I have been struggling with drinking, but he said that we could drink beer at night after the hike. I said that I wasn't going to do that, and he got pissed. He was trying to talk me into it, and I ended up yelling at him and telling him to stay the f*#k away from me.
Another friend invited me to dinner with his family. There was a lot of drinking going on. I said that I was not comfortable with that right now. He told me that I needed to learn to be around drinking in social situations. Maybe so, but not right now. I have to do what's right for me.
I loaded up a flash drive with almost a hundred songs, went out and found a pancake house yesterday morning. Had a huge breakfast, and then drove out into the country. Drinking tea, listening to music, crying a lot. I burned a lot of gas, but I saw some beautiful plantations and countryside.
I made it home around seven o'clock, and did some reading. Turned off the lights around 8:30, and I managed to sleep for ten hours. No sleep aids, no alcohol.
Success. Not the best Christmas I ever had. No presents, no companionship, but I am sober.
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 321
<3 Good for you! Somewhat same here. Though I had family over Christmas Eve, Christmas Day I woke up alone and spent the day alone and did my own thing all day long. A few invites but I declined, due to the alcohol that would've been flowing. Maybe next year, but this year, being sober was the most important thing and best gift I could give myself. If that meant tucking myself away for a day or two, so be it.
Do whats right for YOU! Your true friends will understand and be supportive. Good on you for staying sober and for reaching 26 days!
Do whats right for YOU! Your true friends will understand and be supportive. Good on you for staying sober and for reaching 26 days!
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 321
Originally Posted by livinginhope 
Good for you, too! Solitude doesn't seem to work well for some in early recovery, but it is the only thing that is working for me.
The life I had while drinking was miserable and it took many years away from me.
They way I think now? Each day sober is an investment in my sober future. Another day towards a life I want to actually live in and be present in. It took many years of drinking for me to ruin my life....it will take time to learn a new way. Baby steps....
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,792
Congrats to all of you who stayed sober this Christmas. I am on the alanon side and I too spent the day alone. My two daughters spent Christmas with my axh. I would have given my right arm to have him spend a sober Christmas. Not this year, maybe next, you should never give up hope.
Maybe one day he will walk in your shoes. I am very happy for all of you who chose sobriety this holiday. For once you took care of yourself in a healthy way and had the strength to ignore your "friends".
I wish you all peace and sobriety in the 2016!!
Maybe one day he will walk in your shoes. I am very happy for all of you who chose sobriety this holiday. For once you took care of yourself in a healthy way and had the strength to ignore your "friends".
I wish you all peace and sobriety in the 2016!!
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Living in Today!
Posts: 3,944
Originally Posted by livinginhope
I'm 26 days sober this time. Easy to keep track when my first dry night was December One.
I got some phone calls as the holiday neared. One 'friend' called and said he wanted to come by. He wanted to do some hiking on Christmas Day, which I was all for. He knows I have been struggling with drinking, but he said that we could drink beer at night after the hike. I said that I wasn't going to do that, and he got pissed. He was trying to talk me into it, and I ended up yelling at him and telling him to stay the f*#k away from me.
Another friend invited me to dinner with his family. There was a lot of drinking going on. I said that I was not comfortable with that right now. He told me that I needed to learn to be around drinking in social situations. Maybe so, but not right now. I have to do what's right for me.
I loaded up a flash drive with almost a hundred songs, went out and found a pancake house yesterday morning. Had a huge breakfast, and then drove out into the country. Drinking tea, listening to music, crying a lot. I burned a lot of gas, but I saw some beautiful plantations and countryside.
I made it home around seven o'clock, and did some reading. Turned off the lights around 8:30, and I managed to sleep for ten hours. No sleep aids, no alcohol.
Success. Not the best Christmas I ever had. No presents, no companionship, but I am sober.
I got some phone calls as the holiday neared. One 'friend' called and said he wanted to come by. He wanted to do some hiking on Christmas Day, which I was all for. He knows I have been struggling with drinking, but he said that we could drink beer at night after the hike. I said that I wasn't going to do that, and he got pissed. He was trying to talk me into it, and I ended up yelling at him and telling him to stay the f*#k away from me.
Another friend invited me to dinner with his family. There was a lot of drinking going on. I said that I was not comfortable with that right now. He told me that I needed to learn to be around drinking in social situations. Maybe so, but not right now. I have to do what's right for me.
I loaded up a flash drive with almost a hundred songs, went out and found a pancake house yesterday morning. Had a huge breakfast, and then drove out into the country. Drinking tea, listening to music, crying a lot. I burned a lot of gas, but I saw some beautiful plantations and countryside.
I made it home around seven o'clock, and did some reading. Turned off the lights around 8:30, and I managed to sleep for ten hours. No sleep aids, no alcohol.
Success. Not the best Christmas I ever had. No presents, no companionship, but I am sober.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: USA
Posts: 701
livinginhope, thank you for your inspirational post. I wish every newly sober person could read it. As I am sure you know, "friends" who get upset because you won't drink with them - not only are they not "friends", they are toxic. I'm sorry that happened to you. And as far as the gas you burned? I'd rather spend my money any day of the week on gas than on booze! 😁 Congratulations on your decision to live a better, sober life. 
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Sobersville, USA
Posts: 159
Thanks, thanks, all!
You know one of the worst things about Christmas? Not the obvious stuff, like the old urge to drink even more than usual, the loneliness and thoughts of loss and regret, the necessity to turn away from old friends with bad habits.
Everything is closed. When you need your comfort zones more than ever. The gym is closed, and I spend a lot of time there these days. There was a sign saying "We are closed Christmas Day. Please enjoy the day with your loved ones". Kinda sucks when you currently have no loved ones.
The local nature park is also closed. I spend a lot of time there, too. Hiking, reading, sitting and contemplating my life.
You can't even walk at the mall, the grocery store, or WalMart. Because sometimes you need to simply be around other people and not alone at the house.
I know that people need and deserve their family time at holidays, but it sure makes it hard on some of us.
You know one of the worst things about Christmas? Not the obvious stuff, like the old urge to drink even more than usual, the loneliness and thoughts of loss and regret, the necessity to turn away from old friends with bad habits.
Everything is closed. When you need your comfort zones more than ever. The gym is closed, and I spend a lot of time there these days. There was a sign saying "We are closed Christmas Day. Please enjoy the day with your loved ones". Kinda sucks when you currently have no loved ones.
The local nature park is also closed. I spend a lot of time there, too. Hiking, reading, sitting and contemplating my life.
You can't even walk at the mall, the grocery store, or WalMart. Because sometimes you need to simply be around other people and not alone at the house.
I know that people need and deserve their family time at holidays, but it sure makes it hard on some of us.
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
Originally Posted by livinginhope
Everything is closed.
Sounds like you had a melancholy Christmas. But "feeling" the holidays, even sad feelings, and not drinking is a blessing.
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Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,792
Lh,
Maybe next year you should plan on working at a food kitchen on Christmas day. They are always looking for volunteers, and especially on Christmas. I did it one year on Thanksgiving and it was awesome. When you really see the people struggling, you feel how blessed you really are.
Hugs my friend, it is over and time to look forward to the new year.
Maybe next year you should plan on working at a food kitchen on Christmas day. They are always looking for volunteers, and especially on Christmas. I did it one year on Thanksgiving and it was awesome. When you really see the people struggling, you feel how blessed you really are.
Hugs my friend, it is over and time to look forward to the new year.
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