Day 173
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 1,100
Day 173
I just wanted to pop in to say thank you and to encourage others. Today is my 173rd day of sobriety.
What I learned so far:
-There’s no one right way to do this. For a long time I thought I was doomed because I’m kinda antisocial and couldn’t go to group meetings in person. I had the impression it was the only way but IT IS NOT for some of us. I was able to quit this time because I had online support HERE. I read as much as I could in the beginning. Eventually I stopped posting but the information never left me…I was (am) a changed person. I AM AMONG THE LIVING NOW! DID YOU HEAR ME!? I’M ALIVE!!!!
-PERSPECTIVE is EVERYTHING. I can be a happy sober person or not…it all depends on the thoughts I choose to entertain. I don’t think about “not drinking”, I focus on “living”. Similar to attitude…gotta keep it positive.
-Substitutions-when something leaves (drinking), an empty space is left that must be filled. I’m still experimenting but dark chocolate, a bag of chips and a movie puts me on cloud nine.
-Clarity is still coming on a daily basis. This is the hardest part, facing up to my wrongs. For me, it’s all about the things and people I neglected for so long. But I’m steering my own ship now and it feels good.
-I try not to think long term. Right now I’m focusing on sobriety for year 1. In the beginning I was counting days like a crazy person and I needed to…it kept me going. Today, I had to google to see how long it’s been. So that just goes to show how the darkness of alcoholism is fading from my existence.
-I must never forget what alcohol did to me. It’s so easy to lose sight of how bad it was as time moves on. For me, I took a picture of myself on day 1 and I created a thread on here that I stuck with for quite a long time. I look at the picture a couple times a week and it really helps because I’ve changed a lot (no more puffy face!). I haven’t looked back at my original posts though, I’m saving that in case the craving ever hits me. And I’m just so grateful that I know I can come here and reach out if I need to.
Blessings to you all
What I learned so far:
-There’s no one right way to do this. For a long time I thought I was doomed because I’m kinda antisocial and couldn’t go to group meetings in person. I had the impression it was the only way but IT IS NOT for some of us. I was able to quit this time because I had online support HERE. I read as much as I could in the beginning. Eventually I stopped posting but the information never left me…I was (am) a changed person. I AM AMONG THE LIVING NOW! DID YOU HEAR ME!? I’M ALIVE!!!!
-PERSPECTIVE is EVERYTHING. I can be a happy sober person or not…it all depends on the thoughts I choose to entertain. I don’t think about “not drinking”, I focus on “living”. Similar to attitude…gotta keep it positive.
-Substitutions-when something leaves (drinking), an empty space is left that must be filled. I’m still experimenting but dark chocolate, a bag of chips and a movie puts me on cloud nine.
-Clarity is still coming on a daily basis. This is the hardest part, facing up to my wrongs. For me, it’s all about the things and people I neglected for so long. But I’m steering my own ship now and it feels good.
-I try not to think long term. Right now I’m focusing on sobriety for year 1. In the beginning I was counting days like a crazy person and I needed to…it kept me going. Today, I had to google to see how long it’s been. So that just goes to show how the darkness of alcoholism is fading from my existence.
-I must never forget what alcohol did to me. It’s so easy to lose sight of how bad it was as time moves on. For me, I took a picture of myself on day 1 and I created a thread on here that I stuck with for quite a long time. I look at the picture a couple times a week and it really helps because I’ve changed a lot (no more puffy face!). I haven’t looked back at my original posts though, I’m saving that in case the craving ever hits me. And I’m just so grateful that I know I can come here and reach out if I need to.
Blessings to you all
And thank you for an inspiring post. 
Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Scotland
Posts: 3,837
Brilliant! Congratulations on your life! I am learning the lesson of perspective too and it's taken a while. I get that unless you fill the space with positive things then there is always something missing....I'm trying to figure out who I am and what I want to fill the space with. Thank you for posting and well done to you 
xxx
xxx
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,944
Brilliant stuff, Sober45!
You’re right in that there’s no wrong or right way. The only secret is to accept you’ve quit for good, and that’s a big decision. I think too many people “quit” with the mindset they’ll have a sneaky “reward” after a set target number of days/weeks, and that’ll never work. You’ve done it properly. It’ll get better and better.
You’re right in that there’s no wrong or right way. The only secret is to accept you’ve quit for good, and that’s a big decision. I think too many people “quit” with the mindset they’ll have a sneaky “reward” after a set target number of days/weeks, and that’ll never work. You’ve done it properly. It’ll get better and better.
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
Congrats! 6 months is over any physical addiction and new habits are formed.
I suffered horribly for well over a year probably due to the effects of decades of unknowingly off and on quitting causing kindling and ptsd.
I was trying all sorts of ways to drink and it messed my head and body up pretty bad.
I like what you said about filling the gaps left by drinking.
Thanks.
I suffered horribly for well over a year probably due to the effects of decades of unknowingly off and on quitting causing kindling and ptsd.
I was trying all sorts of ways to drink and it messed my head and body up pretty bad.
I like what you said about filling the gaps left by drinking.
Thanks.
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