Wish I could jump forward....
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 392
Wish I could jump forward....
...to when I have weeks, months of sobriety under my belt. I'm so scared that this is going to be tough and horrible. My biggest fear is that I'll be sober but depressed and anxious as heck. I know I've used alcohol to self medicate depression and anxiety and I'm frightened that they'll come flooding back. I'm scared nothing will change and I'll still be broke, struggling and lonely. I know it's all AV talking rubbish but these are my fears and it's why I've not committed fully to abstaining for the rest of my life. I frightened to discover who I really am without alcohol and I'm frightened that life won't improve with sobriety.
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
I think a lot of people feel this way early on and it is sometimes frustrating to hear (and have to accept) that "time takes time." I was told early on to look at time as a gift- the gift of healing, the gift of learning, the gift of finding what our new lives will be. That helped me be more patient.
Truly, for me, while time sometimes seemed So. Slow. Ugh. - now, it seems the past 437 days have gone by quickly.
And for me- and many others- life is not what we ever would have expected in sobriety- and so much better than we could have imagined. Regardless of its ups and downs, challenges and frustrations - this life I have is better than anything I had then, or could ask for now.
Keep going.
Truly, for me, while time sometimes seemed So. Slow. Ugh. - now, it seems the past 437 days have gone by quickly.
And for me- and many others- life is not what we ever would have expected in sobriety- and so much better than we could have imagined. Regardless of its ups and downs, challenges and frustrations - this life I have is better than anything I had then, or could ask for now.
Keep going.
An understandable fear, but an unsupported one. You haven't had enough sobriety to gauge what life will be like. So give it a try. Attain a year sobriety and see how your life is. I assure you, in a year you will have a different opinion.
However, there's no shortcut to that year. You have to get there the same way as every other recovered alcoholic...one day at a time.
However, there's no shortcut to that year. You have to get there the same way as every other recovered alcoholic...one day at a time.
one of the things that kept me drinking was my fear of my feelings. in particular, my painful feelings, my depression and anxiety.
I was pretty sure I would crumble like a dry leaf if I had to experience my pain.
Well, I didn't crumble. I felt sad and cried. Like really sad and cried hard. And then I got up, dusted myself off and carried on. What didn't kill me actually made me feel lighter and stronger.
I discovered that pain and tough feelings are part of life and I want to live ALL of my life, not just the easy bits.
nonever, you can do this
I was pretty sure I would crumble like a dry leaf if I had to experience my pain.
Well, I didn't crumble. I felt sad and cried. Like really sad and cried hard. And then I got up, dusted myself off and carried on. What didn't kill me actually made me feel lighter and stronger.
I discovered that pain and tough feelings are part of life and I want to live ALL of my life, not just the easy bits.
nonever, you can do this
Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Metro NYC
Posts: 64
I think a lot of people feel this way early on and it is sometimes frustrating to hear (and have to accept) that "time takes time." I was told early on to look at time as a gift- the gift of healing, the gift of learning, the gift of finding what our new lives will be. That helped me be more patient.
Truly, for me, while time sometimes seemed So. Slow. Ugh. - now, it seems the past 437 days have gone by quickly.
And for me- and many others- life is not what we ever would have expected in sobriety- and so much better than we could have imagined. Regardless of its ups and downs, challenges and frustrations - this life I have is better than anything I had then, or could ask for now.
Keep going.
Truly, for me, while time sometimes seemed So. Slow. Ugh. - now, it seems the past 437 days have gone by quickly.
And for me- and many others- life is not what we ever would have expected in sobriety- and so much better than we could have imagined. Regardless of its ups and downs, challenges and frustrations - this life I have is better than anything I had then, or could ask for now.
Keep going.
Your sober life is going to be WHAT YOU MAKE OF IT!
You are "holding the reins" so take control and start to build a better life one day at a time. You can't move on if you don't let go of how you were coping in the past.
You are "holding the reins" so take control and start to build a better life one day at a time. You can't move on if you don't let go of how you were coping in the past.
Being scared of something you have no control over, a future that has not happened- really is emotionally draining. Go to lots of meetings- surround yourself with others. Support to you.
If you didn't go through all the stuff that we have to go through you wouldn't appreciate your sobriety as much!You must earn it. It makes you not want to ever have to go through that again!
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)