Leave it in the rear view mirror. Weekenders 03 - 06 January 2020
Magsie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 26,685
Leave it in the rear view mirror. Weekenders 03 - 06 January 2020
Happy New Year!
My drinking days caused me to have recurring bad memories pop up out of the blue every now and then.
Cringingly awful memories or part memories of my behavior when drunk.
Memories of me being not my true self but a ‘Hyde’ version.
Alcohol caused me to act this way. It took away my conscience, my honesty and integrity, covered my very soul with a horrible version of me.
So when the rear view mirror shows my warts and ‘all, I now glance and move forward.
It has happened, it is the past. I was, I am an alcoholic.
Being sober is my best defence and attack. Knowing that my forward journey is one of honesty and integrity.
And understanding the rear view is just for glancing not for living.
Moving on with sure baby steps, developing into steady footsteps ensuring a sober future.
If this is your first weekend sober, or many, come join us for support and chat...as we know the weekends can be a struggle sometimes. (We’re here all week too!)
My drinking days caused me to have recurring bad memories pop up out of the blue every now and then.
Cringingly awful memories or part memories of my behavior when drunk.
Memories of me being not my true self but a ‘Hyde’ version.
Alcohol caused me to act this way. It took away my conscience, my honesty and integrity, covered my very soul with a horrible version of me.
So when the rear view mirror shows my warts and ‘all, I now glance and move forward.
It has happened, it is the past. I was, I am an alcoholic.
Being sober is my best defence and attack. Knowing that my forward journey is one of honesty and integrity.
And understanding the rear view is just for glancing not for living.
Moving on with sure baby steps, developing into steady footsteps ensuring a sober future.
If this is your first weekend sober, or many, come join us for support and chat...as we know the weekends can be a struggle sometimes. (We’re here all week too!)
Member
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 2,279
I've actually been sitting waiting for the last few hours for a new thread for this weekend as it's 1030pm Thursday night and tomorrow I go to work and it's Friday so the wine hag might come out and I want to be ready in advance for her lol
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,761
I was looking forward to your new post all year Mags, like always, it's a great one.
I'm IN!
Back to work today, grateful for only two days before the weekend. A chance to ease back into things.
I'm IN!
Back to work today, grateful for only two days before the weekend. A chance to ease back into things.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Australia
Posts: 11,351
Lol Dragon 
Great opening post as always Mags. Look forward to your wisdom every Thursday xx
Lets all enjoy a great 2020 together . Hindsight is a wonderful thing , if only we got to realise it b4 it became a hindsight.
I remember so many things i did drunk and i cringe at the memories. Things i would NEVER have done sober and totally out of character for me and my personality.
Thats how we recognise drinking as a disease.
It changes who we are and gradually sucks the decency out of us.
Im so glad those days are behind me .
If you are new to this group, hop on board and let us help get to where you need to be .
Love to you all
Xxxx
Great opening post as always Mags. Look forward to your wisdom every Thursday xx
Lets all enjoy a great 2020 together . Hindsight is a wonderful thing , if only we got to realise it b4 it became a hindsight.
I remember so many things i did drunk and i cringe at the memories. Things i would NEVER have done sober and totally out of character for me and my personality.
Thats how we recognise drinking as a disease.
It changes who we are and gradually sucks the decency out of us.
Im so glad those days are behind me .
If you are new to this group, hop on board and let us help get to where you need to be .
Love to you all
Xxxx
Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 25,373
Good post. That rear view mirror thought is a powerful one.
I can glance into the rear view mirror, but not stare. That's not the way I'm going. I'll definitely crash if I look too long.
It takes discipline to control thoughts. Every time a negative one comes up I have to replace it. That takes mindfulness, awareness, discipline, and practice. It doesn't just happen at some set time of sobriety, it's a thing I have to DO. It seems to me a lot of people just go through life allowing their brain to randomly control their thinking and their actions and to go down every rabbit hole of thought that is triggered. I get it, I was blown around and made miserable by my own thinking for years.
There is a way out.
Don't torture yourself with your own thoughts.
I can glance into the rear view mirror, but not stare. That's not the way I'm going. I'll definitely crash if I look too long.
It takes discipline to control thoughts. Every time a negative one comes up I have to replace it. That takes mindfulness, awareness, discipline, and practice. It doesn't just happen at some set time of sobriety, it's a thing I have to DO. It seems to me a lot of people just go through life allowing their brain to randomly control their thinking and their actions and to go down every rabbit hole of thought that is triggered. I get it, I was blown around and made miserable by my own thinking for years.
There is a way out.
Don't torture yourself with your own thoughts.
Hears The Voice
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Unshackled
Posts: 7,901
Originally Posted by Mags1 
[B]Cringingly awful memories or part memories of my behavior when drunk.
Memories of me being not my true self but a ‘Hyde’ version.
Memories of me being not my true self but a ‘Hyde’ version.
Too true.
Despite warnings from my doctor, encouragement from family, and threats from my wife, it was the realization that - when drinking - I acted in a manner inconsistent with my core values that made the biggest impact.
Drunk Nons is often a D-bag.
My business partner is a drinker, but he knows I'm not. He hinted a few times that maybe we could drink together on some special occasion. I told him straight up that if he ever sees me drinking he should move quickly to find out what I am stealing. Because I will.
The hints about having a drink together stopped.
Keep it sober, y'all!
ours de petit cerveau
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: London, UK
Posts: 1,630
good topic Mags. I don't dwell on the rear-view mirror - I've never had much luck in changing what's happened in the past - but I can use it as a tool in inform my present & future actions. in early sobrity I used the "play the tape" tool a *lot*; not so much now, but I still have it in the toolbox for if I get stuck on something & have to do some heavy lifting.
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