Like2Hike

Nice job pre-registering for the 5k, Liz. The sensations of training and growing fit will return just as you experienced when you were a teenager. Only you may enjoy it even more now.

I have a question for the team. We're all around 7 months sober. Do things feel very different for you? It's not always easy but being a non-drinker seems pretty normal as well as the best path in life. I get down sometimes when I wonder why I let drink take such a big role in my life for 30 years. I guess it doesn't pay to look back too much. Onward and upward, right?

Macc66

Hi Class it has been much too long, I hope you are all Well and Life is treating you kind.

I have been non stop since my last post. Enjoying life on life's terms. I am currently on the Croatia AA committee for the next years convention. ( remember my online meetings I go to everyday ? ) Well for my 6 month anniversary I was offered an admin position so I now Chair the meeting 2 x per week on Weds and Saturdays ) You are more than welcome to come along and drop in sometime. Send me a message for details - Fantastic group of people from all over the world and some amazing old timers. ( Like family. ) I did not have any meeting face to face rooms where i live and there are only 2 in the whole of Croatia which are both about 4 hour return journeys for me so ..... I opened a room with help from Croatia HQ in my home town of Zadar , and we had our first inaugural meeting last night. 3 members and it felt very special...The fellowship Grows and grows...I have already had a number of requests from tourists visiting and passing through Zadar, Overall i am Amazed and Humbled at this gift of sobriety i receive everyday.

Sorry I was not on earlier and i will try to get to this site more often (((Must Try Harder)) LOL

Love and hugs To ALL

Reeny

Welcome back, MACC! Great to hear you're doing so well.

Good question, L2H. My answer? I'm over the self-congratulatory phase of the first few months and have somehow "grown into" knowing that drinking's not the answer. I feel physically better and the loss of perpetual guilt is empowering. Having said that, I flail around a bit - if drinking's not the answer then what is? (I guess I could call it existential angst but that would be trite.) Here's the thing though - I might find myself boring at times but at least I can look at myself in the mirror now and not see shame.

Siesta

Welcome back Macc. Good to hear from you.

L2h, do things feel very different for me at 7 months sober? Completely different. Personally I feel like I'm still getting to know myself. I've found that I feel my best when I'm with my boys. Love being present for them. I'm also feeling super confident with customers at work. I love doing my best for them and I know I'm good at my job now.
I feel the least confident around co workers and some friends because I was never very good at being social without alcohol. I'm not a naturally chatty person unless it's something I'm passionate about. Sometimes I just feel awkward trying to join in on a conversation.
Reeny, I have that same feeling that I might be boring now as well. Staying in on weekend nights is a new one for me. Not sure I like it but if I go out I know all my friends will be drinking.
I'm still tempted to drink. Can't picture myself actually doing it, but it's always in the back of my mind. I know I'm a better person without it and it's not much of an effort to push aside the temptations but I'm aware of them still lingering.

I've changed dramatically physically which I'm thrilled with. Down 35 pounds and holding. Went to the doc the other day and actually enjoyed the part when they made me get on the scale
I'm think the physical change is a great motivation to keep me sober. I can't imagine taking in all those calories on a daily basis now.

Reeny

Congrats on the weight loss, Siesta!

I feel a bit the same about dodging temptation. The AV's still there, lurking.

LizG

I have to admit this bothers me too, L2H. Intellectually, I know that there's nothing I can do to alter the past, so why the h*ll even worry about it, but this doesn't change the fact that I could have done so much more over the past few years, and more importantly, some of the stuff I did do, I could -- and should -- have done differently ... much differently. These regrets sadden me from time to time, but they don't make me want to drink, thank goodness.

So yes, focus on the positive, & onward and upward, as you say. Overall, I feel much better about myself and, as a consequence, have been taking on new things or reviving old interests [biking, running, reading outside my normal areas of interest (= ploughing through the 6th installment of Wood's recommended favourite novelist, for example!), taking part in a book club], as well being open to new challenges with my second job @ the U.

No comparison to 7 months ago, right? We must soldier on, Team January!

Like2Hike

Welcome back, Macc.

Thanks for your replies Reeny, Liz, and Siesta. We are all in a very different place than we were 7 months ago.

One huge difference for me is the confidence that I can really exist without alcohol. I find tranquility in knowing that only today matters so I go about winning the day. Now there are 7 months of sober days strung together.

Unexpected results:
* Not finding much worth watching on TV, reading much more
* Diminished sense of humor. I really want to get it back, though.
* More stable on the outside but all these feelings that were previously dulled are weird.
* The support from this thread. It's so helpful to post with you all who can understand things. No one else has any idea. Thanks.

Sorry for the wordy post. Hope everyone is doing well.

Dee74

I think I was a very different person as a drinker - I much prefer the current me...

but I've thought for a long time drinking at least bought me to recovery...and recoverys bought me to so many new truths, new places and new vistas - so I don't tend to waste much time on whys and wherefores, I guess.

It's all a journey

D

Reeny

Are you ever tempted any more, Dee?

Dee74

Not for a long time.

The last time I was tempted for anything was earlier this year when I was really stressed - hadn't slept for days and at 3am you wish you had something to help you sleep - but even then I wasn't thinking alcohol, more medication (I got over it - the morning is always different lol)

I'm not thinking I'm cured LOL but I have changed a lot

D

Reeny

Thanks, Dee - you're an inspiration!

LizG

So say we all!

Reeny

Where is everyone? Hope all my Januarian friends are doing well.

Dee74

thanks for the kind words guys

D

Like2Hike

I was thinking the same, Reeny. We are leaving for a few days of whitewater rafting before the kids start back in school. This should be a fun trip.

How is your feeling this days? Are you still looking at bicycles?

Hope everyone is doing well.

woodhead

Hello everyone. I've been really busy getting back into the groove at work. Reeny, I hope your recovery from surgery is going well. Take care.
Best,
W

LizG

OMG, I think we were lucky enough to catch Dee's 70,000th post. What an honour!

AlisonW

Hey everyone! Wish I could join in on the physical fitness chat but I am still recovering from my surgery and just starting with the physical therapist. So far it's causing my pain to come roaring back with a vengeance, so I think it will be a while before there is anything more strenous than a walk around the block in my future. Kind of a bummer, but it is what it is...

I went to my first AA meeting on Monday evening, it was a women's beginning meeting. Everyone was VERY welcoming, especially once I mentioned it was my first meeting. They put the focus all on me, which was nice but a little overwhelming. And everyone gave me their phone numbers, and was all "Call! Call! Call!" I felt a little pressured, especially because i have kind of a phobia about the phone and have some social anxiety in general. I have close friends who know about my situation, who I'd call in a crisis before I'd call a stranger. I know the idea is to call a fellow alcoholic who understands, but it would be difficult for me. I don't know yet if I will keep going or not. I have been attending SOS meetings once a week and enjoying that a lot. Feels like a lot less pressure to do or be anything in particular - other than sober!

Reeny, I feel the same, I am definitely pretty boring these days, but I am finding it suits me, and sure feels better than waking up with shame and regret. I'm ok with being boring right now, if it means I'm sober. Went to a birthday party last week and didn't drink, didn't feel tempted at all. So progress is being made!

-Alison

Reeny

Sorry to hear that you're in some pain, Alison. I know the frustration of not being able to do as much as I'd like, too (no bike yet, L2H), although I'm going on long walks daily. One of my resolutions is to socialise more once I'm back on deck and at work in early Sept (following wood's lead!) although I kind of like my own company...

Hope your trip goes well, L2H. Thanks for your kind wishes, everyone, and, just to echo Liz, 70,000 posts, Dee - Thank you!

Like2Hike

I've been posting in this thread while stopped at traffic lights. That's the next thing I have to quit.

Great catch on Dee's 70k post, Liz! Sorry to read about the pain, Alison. Hope that gets better. Reeny, I'm kind of struggling with the social thing, too. It's something I need to work on because I'm not as popular after kicking booze. Coach Wood, please jump back in. We need more than one dude posting.