1 year and 9 months - what sobriety made possible so far
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,137
1 year and 9 months - what sobriety made possible so far
It's not really a milestone but I am going through a rough patch and thought I'd write down my achievements so far, as a little reminder that I'm not a failure and that I am often stronger than I think I am....
So here it goes:
- I stopped spending more money than I had on stupid drunk / depressed online purchases
- I paid off all my debts
- I learned to be better with financial things in general
- I sorted through all my paper work and legal issues (just minor things because of unpaid bills, no court, no lawyers - thank god!)
- I started running and ran up to 14k, did a 5k in 25 minutes
- I opened up to my parents about my life and can feel a bit more real when I talk to them now, having less secrets
- I no longer hate myself
- I slowly overcame my social anxiety
- I don't expect myself to be perfect anymore
- I managed to make new friends and reactivate old friendships
- I am able to live with a room mate now
- I am able to actually be there for others if they need me
- I dared riding my bike again after years and found a new hobby that way
- I also got into driving again after not having done that either for several years and generally not having much experience
- I renovated my place
- I started to study again which I was no longer able to when I was drinking
- I started working again part time
- I learned to not blindly act on my feelings all the time
- I learned (and still am) how to take care of myself
It's nothing out of this world but it's a bit of hope for me today and maybe it'll give others hope too. Lots of small things that make life easier and help to actually be able to live life. I probably forgot a few things, it's just what came to my mind now.
Had I kept drinking, nothing of this would've been possible, that I know for sure.
So here it goes:
- I stopped spending more money than I had on stupid drunk / depressed online purchases
- I paid off all my debts
- I learned to be better with financial things in general
- I sorted through all my paper work and legal issues (just minor things because of unpaid bills, no court, no lawyers - thank god!)
- I started running and ran up to 14k, did a 5k in 25 minutes
- I opened up to my parents about my life and can feel a bit more real when I talk to them now, having less secrets
- I no longer hate myself
- I slowly overcame my social anxiety
- I don't expect myself to be perfect anymore
- I managed to make new friends and reactivate old friendships
- I am able to live with a room mate now
- I am able to actually be there for others if they need me
- I dared riding my bike again after years and found a new hobby that way
- I also got into driving again after not having done that either for several years and generally not having much experience
- I renovated my place
- I started to study again which I was no longer able to when I was drinking
- I started working again part time
- I learned to not blindly act on my feelings all the time
- I learned (and still am) how to take care of myself
It's nothing out of this world but it's a bit of hope for me today and maybe it'll give others hope too. Lots of small things that make life easier and help to actually be able to live life. I probably forgot a few things, it's just what came to my mind now.
Had I kept drinking, nothing of this would've been possible, that I know for sure.
Alot of those things are on my goal list. You should be so proud. Im sorry for your rough patch but surely not drinking is better than any alternative hope you feel better soon and congrats on all your hard work.
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Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 19
Congratulations!! I'm a year and 9 months( and little more) also. The changes have been a little more subtle for me, but better health, better relationships, more enjoyment from life in general. You are doing incredible things and I know it will only get better for the both of us.
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Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 327
Congrats and thank you for the post!
The thing I noticed is that now I get bored. I know this is a trigger for some, but now I have the energy and desire to go out and do things I didn't do because I too busy getting my buzz on, or felt like garbage the next day.
Life is so much better without booze!
The thing I noticed is that now I get bored. I know this is a trigger for some, but now I have the energy and desire to go out and do things I didn't do because I too busy getting my buzz on, or felt like garbage the next day.
Life is so much better without booze!
Thank you for your post, kevlarsjal2! As many years as some of us have spent wasting our lives and not seeing any further than the next binge, it's awesome and very encouraging to see how quickly things can turn around.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,137
Thank you everyone for the lovely comments! I struggle so much with feeling proud and rather expect myself to accomplish things and always feel like I should be better, faster, like I'm never good enough.
When I typed those things down, I thought they were all such small things that they aren't worth mentioning .
Thinking back, I remember how unachievable all of those things would've seemed to me when I was still drinking.
When I typed those things down, I thought they were all such small things that they aren't worth mentioning .
Thinking back, I remember how unachievable all of those things would've seemed to me when I was still drinking.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 1,137
Thanks everyone!
Truthseeker: I know you can reach those things too, it may not seem like it now, it didn't seem possible for me either. But we will get there, we just have to keep going and stay on the right path.
There's still lots I need to /want to improve though. Relationship, family, career,... I still have lots of things I hope to achieve one day. As well as every day struggles that I hope to get better at.
change: Oh that is close yes, almost twins! And thanks!
Truthseeker: I know you can reach those things too, it may not seem like it now, it didn't seem possible for me either. But we will get there, we just have to keep going and stay on the right path.
There's still lots I need to /want to improve though. Relationship, family, career,... I still have lots of things I hope to achieve one day. As well as every day struggles that I hope to get better at.
change: Oh that is close yes, almost twins! And thanks!
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