Nonsensical

My answer to that question for decades was to drink some alcohol. The side effects from that solution eventually brought such destruction that I had to look for another.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have guessed that the actual answer to that question is to stop avoiding and resisting feeling bad.

By avoiding and resisting all my negative emotions I made my life worse. I stopped fearing my shame, remorse, guilt, hurt, insecurity, rage, terror, jealousy, etc., and I immediately felt better.

And that's all I wanted in the first place.

FreeOwl

Yeah..... dig it....

*finger snaps*

FallingStars

Stuffing feelings is toxic. And then drinking only adds to the toxicity. Being able to sit with one's feelings and acknowledge them is very healthy

Dustitoffman

Chocolate straight from the freezer(fruit and nut)
A favourite Ice-cream
For those with a savoury taste buds
A fat fillet steak
Not sure for the vegetarian or vegan?
Exercise at the gym
Sauna/ jacuzzi speaking to people about something that interests me.
Getting out into the country for a walk or to the beach just to listen to the sea or breath in the clean un polluted air.
Watch the sun come up, watch the sun go down lye down and look at the clouds, look at the stars at night.
Play your favourite music tracks.
Book a test drive of a car that you would love to have.
Go for a bike ride.
Plan to do something that you have never done before.
Plan a holiday.
Eat some more chocolate.
Find something funny and laugh so much that you fear that you may not be able to draw a next breath.
Hahaha😂😂😂😂😂

Sunflower17

I absolutely agree with this. It was only by acknowledging my feelings and emotions (finally) that was I able to find the root cause of my drinking, accept it and take steps to deal with it

ProfessorD

So well put! I am realizing this too.

wiseheart

Nonsensical, thank you for this. Simple, but so profound. I couldn't agree more. After stuffing, avoiding and numbing my feelings for decades, it is overwhelming to have to actually sit with these "newfound" feelings. It is uncomfortable, scary, annoying, frustrating and sometimes, I just feel like I am crawling out of my skin. But, I know it is the only way out. Thank you!

TYG2

Why is it we want relief "right now "?
How long did it take to get to the position we're in? A few seconds?
How can we except to feel better "right now"? It's like an infant crying.
We're adults albeit lost and damaged. Withdrawal, depending on our drinking history varies from a life or death issue , a living hell, or bearable but miserable to mildy uncomfortable.
The symptoms vary and are all over the map. The timeline is unpredictable.

What is UNIVERSAL is you're never alone on S.R. I'm unsure when I decided to join after weeks of reading thru it. I think the advice you've been given so far is awesome and I'll be taking it as well. We learn something everyday here. It's my new addiction.