Well done everyone.....WOW the days are creeping up!
Day 21 for me.....yes 3 WEEKS! Thanks for all your support.

Secretary- Thank you for checking in with us, 43 days is amazing….good for you! I stopped drinking during my summer off as well and was concerned that going back to work would be a trigger. But so far so good!

Ladybug- I think that postponing the hair appt might be a good idea. If that situation and weather is such a trigger for you, don’t even put yourself in it right now. Maybe pamper yourself in some other way that doesn’t tempt you to drink so that you don’t feel deprived though.

Caligal- Congrats on the great job review! I am a firm believer in karma (most of the time) - you are being rewarded for your hard work and staying sober.

And great job to everyone else for keeping those days adding up. I don’t post from work, but I do check SR on my phone from work towards the end of the day when my mind starts drifting towards drinking. Reading all of your posts really helps. And I have to admit just reading about slips and relapses or those struggling in the early days on other boards pushes the AV away really well too. NOT that I am in any way enjoying someone else’s demise, we have all been there, and it is just a reminder of how much I don’t want to go back.

Every day it just seems to be the same old pattern. The idea of having drink when I get home from work is just so rewarding and automatic. It begins about an hour before I am ready to go home. I don’t really decide to drink anymore at that point, but I do consider it for a little while. Then when I commit that I won’t, I feel grumpy for a couple of hours- it’s not fair, why am I denying myself? can’t I just have a glass of wine ? But it passes before I know it.

Looking forward to another restful, sober night’s sleep and another natural, positive feeling morning, ready for the day. That just NEVER gets old!

Day 18 almost over.

I have over two cord of wood sitting in my driveway.
So, I have something now to keep my mind off the bad habit while stacking this wood.
It's all good. Exercise and wood for a nice warm fire in the stove those cold winter nights.

Glad everyone in my class is still plugging along.:You_Rock_

Thanks, FABL, think you just answered my question about why I become so cranky and irritable around 4pm every day! I've really started noticing it over the last week. I can be having a great day and feeling really good then BAM! 4pm hits and I turn into a different person for an hour or two (usually two). I used to start drinking around this time so I guess, even on days I am not craving it, my body is still getting used to the change in routine? Maybe deep down I am ticked and annoyed that I can't enjoy a glass of wine (or 5 ;)) while making dinner? Ah well, at least I can actually enjoy dinner now and remember conversations my husband and I have. Hopefully, this cranky hour/hours will pass soon. I feel like Jekyll and Hyde :gaah

Day 15 is just about over and I'm typing from bed. I had meet someone at a bar today for business and I turned down a beer. I was perfectly fine drinking Canada Dry. Can't wait till tomorrow and day 16!

Congrats norcalgirl!

Great job everyone. I joined the group a late in the month so I cant tell its gotten smaller but I guess thatll happen in any recovery group.

Day 15 coming to a hault. Took baby to aquarium, was a little overwhelming for the both of us just with it being so crowded. I noticed how angry I can get with the general public. I really hope thats something I can address through my group treatment or recovery in general. I have another group tomorrow morning and friday morning. I also feel low in energy n even felt a lil depressed today. I guess its just about feeling my feelings without anything to dull or mask them. Im still happy im on my sober path and nothings more important. Tomorrows a new day and another chance to energize myself and do something positive. Night all!

Hello! I'd love to join in on this thread. :) My date of sobriety is July 21, 2013. It's after midnight here, so on to day 25.

I've had some cravings in the past 25 days, but had one yesterday that was more intense. Had a difficult situation come up and my thoughts immediately went to a drink (or 6,8...) to "numb it" but I journaled, meditated, prayed and I'm also using the 13 Women for Sobriety Statements. I want to live life, not numb the pain. I don't want to drink when I'm happy either. Any excuse would do in the past. I want to handle life, live life being fully present. It feels great to know I CAN do this, I can handle life, even with all the difficulties, and do so while staying sober. I want this time to be different. It feels different, like the commitment is truly there. Pushing thru the hard times and learning to live life! I want to grow emotionally and spiritually.

My sleep is still messed up. Slept earlier this evening for several hours and now it's almost 3 am here and I'm wide awake. I guess for now I'll just sleep when my body tells me to. I guess I'll eventually get back on a sleep schedule.

Looking forward to walking this path with you all! :ring

Hello and welcome, FelineLady. I have three cats. Your sobriety date is the same as mine. Good job getting through the tough day yesterday. My sleep is all messed up as well, I did the same as you tonight, slept for a few hours and am now wide awake. It is 1:54 AM here. Please keep posting we are happy to have you!

Thank you, Lulu!
I also have 3 cats and would have more if I could afford them and had more room. Luckily my boyfriend is a cat lover too.

Sorry you're having sleep issues too. I'm sure it'll eventually straighten out for us.

I use to pass out and wake up in the middle of the night with panic and anxiety (along with the pounding head, nausea and rapid heart rate). Even though sleep is messed up right now, doesn't it feel great to wake up sober! :)

Welcome FelineLady :)

D

Thank you, Dee. :)

I am almost embarrassed to admit that at one point I had 6 cats and 3 dogs, sadly have lost a dog and three cats in the last 2 years. I am letting the herd thin because they are expensive.

I did the same thing when I was drunk. I lost my job two years ago, not due to drinking, and became an all day drinker. I would drink, pass out, wake up, repeat. And, yes, it is nice to wake up sober and not nauseous. I think I need to force myself to do more physical things during the day to just exhaust myself but I am so tired it is hard to get motivated. When I try and sleep my mind just will not shut off. I know it will get better, not complaining.

I need some motivation too, LuLu. I want to start walking but I don't have the energy, even though walking would help. Arrgh, I'll be glad when all this passes. And I need to do more housework, it's piling up and when I think of catching it up it feels overwhelming. I don't work (disability) so it makes it easy in one way to get thru this but it another it makes it too easy to be what I feel like is being lazy. I know it's not laziness, I'm healing, but it just feels that way. I feel like I should be doing more, I do try, but end up right back on the couch.

I'm sorry about the loss of your dog and kitties. I lost a 16 year old kitty last month, it's hard.

you don't have to do this alone... there's strength in numbers
 

Whoo! Hoo! 3 weeks way to go my friend

Day12 starting so good

After a rocky day yesterday i spent the evening with my grandchildren and wound up sleeping over their house. Waking up to them this morning is wonderful

Welcome FelineLady

Good day " July Maties "

Tr :ring

Welcome FelineLady!

July 21 is my sobriety date too. And I have two cats. Spencer, my 17 year old momma's boy and Patches, an 8 year old polydactyl (she has 7 toes on each foot) with attitude.

This is a great group! I think you'll like it here.

Day 26 complete. I worked a split shift yesterday so was away from the house all day. Everything went fine. I'm feeling pretty pooped right now. Slept good last night but just feel like I could use another 15 or 16 hours sleep. Hopefully hopping in the shower in a minute will wake me up.

Day 27 starts now. Should be a repeat of yesterday with the same work schedule.

Hi Felinelady

Welcome to this group!

I'm still struggling with intermittent bouts of extreme fatigue at 43 days. You're right, we're healing, so try not to be hard on yourself, at least that's my attitude. When I do have better energy, I catch up with things.

Feeling a bit down, lonely, had a great weekend, so I suppose I'm missing being with people.
I too, read the WFS statements every day, it helps to curb the negative voice inside my head. Do you go to meetings? Wish there was one nearer to where I live.

We all seem to be holding our own, which is great!

Hi Tr, what a wonderful way to spend your evening and morning! :) Hope you have a good rest of the day.
Congrats on 12 days!

Hi NCG, my 16 year old that passed last month was polydactyl. She was the boss of the kitty house. I miss her everyday. How nice to have others to celebrate the same sobriety date with. So far I think you, LuLu and I have the same date.

Hi Casey, that's how I'm feeling...no matter how much I sleep I always feel like I need more. And the hours I sleep are varying. Sometimes I sleep at night and sometimes during the evening. Congrats on 27 days! Hope you have a good day at work.

Hi Leshar, I think? lol I may have the energy to clean on the kitchen today. I plan to do what I can, even if I have to do it between naps. Sorry you're feeling lonely. Do you have plans for this weekend?
No, there are no F2F WFS meetings around here. I wish there were.
Congrats on 43 days!

Day 31 done! Just wanted to check-in for a quick post. My Dad leaves us in the morning after 10 days at our house, visiting from North America. I watched him drink my favorite beers in front of me, every day and every evening that he was here. Once I cleared the air about my new 'healthy alcohol-free living', I was no longer bothered by it. I just don't drink anymore and that's all there is to it. After you get through that initial awkwardness, nobody really cares that you're not drinking. We went out for dinner tonight, my wife had red wine, my dad had beer, and I barely noticed. The thought of drinking anything myself kind of makes me feel ill. Definitely have no desire to drink or feel the effects of booze. Glad this point in my recovery has finally come.

Good night all and keep it up.

Hope all are well! Keep going class of July =]

Just checking in after a sunny holiday without alcohol. Italy is a bit limited for soft drinks - I've drunk gallons of fizzy water but my proudest moment was refusing a free glass of prosecco. 66 days, It doesn't seem real but it feels great. If I wake up with a headache it goes within minutes, I have started to loose weight which is good and the sobriety facial works better than any other treatment I've tried.
It was great to catch up on how well everyone is doing and how supportive the group is. It is great not feeling alone in this.

Day 16 here. Had my 3rd group treatment today and I love it! I met s wonderfully sassy lady that I can really identify with. I take a county job exam tomorrow then its back to treatment Friday. Then ill get a head start on homework this weekend.

SoberMarathon, congratulations on your 31 days and bringing everything out in the open.

Mustdoit, not sure I could go to Italy and not drink, I am impressed.

LiveLikeGold6, so glad you are enjoying your therapy and keeping busy.

To anyone I have missed, great job and cheers to being sober.

Day 27 and not so great. Work is so stressful and I can't seem to get myself to make the time to exercise except on the weekends. I still want to drink so badly at the end of the day and then I eat too much which does curb the cravings but there still seems to be this hole inside me that just wants beer or wine. I have so much I could do, yet I"m lazy and bored. I guess I just feel like I don't know what to do with myself. Besides drink. I'm not going to tonight, but I hope this is just a one day mood because I"m afraid that in the back of my mind I"m planning to drink this weekend. Saturday will be day 30. I don't want to ruin all this hard work. Things will get better, I just need to keep telling myself that.
Great job everybody. Livelikegold, therapy is awesome. Maybe that is what I need.

Fabl

I can't begin to know the stress you're dealing with, but I do get the feeling of being lazy, bored, not knowing what to do. I've done nothing all day, except read a book which is depressing me further (the empty room by Lauren b Davis ) about a lonely alcoholic woman about my age. I fear being alone for the rest of my life, but at the very least, I want to have some pride in myself, not try to drink away my sorrow, age myself even quicker.

Just a bad couple of days for me after a fun weekend.
Tomorrow I have a yoga class, that will help.

I'd recommend yoga to you, if you can't get to a class, you can get DVDs from your library no doubt. Also, I find listening to tibetan bowl meditation music (lots on youtube) is soothing.

But sometimes we just have a bad day or run of bad days, and all we can do is hope the next day will bring something better. Whereas, if we drink, the outcome of the next day is assured, and it ain't pretty.

Try not to think about the weekend, almost at 30, and beyond!
Take care.

Forabetterlife, sounds like youve got to surround yourself with positive thinking and people. I hear u so much on the lazy and bored part. But I did learn that an alcoholic on his or her own is in bad company. Exercise is a good idea as it will lift your mood. Whatever you do do something. You will make it to 30 days!

Thank you both so much! I do know that exercise is key for improving my mood. And I guess at this stage of sobriety laziness and boredom just might come with the territory.

As for being with positive people, I have little or no social life. Not that I don't have friends, I do, but the friends I have where I live here are mostly co-workers or mothers of my kids friends and we rarely get together socially. My closest friends live in my hometown back up north, where I wish I still lived. My best friend for 30 years died from cancer this summer and I don't think I have fully accepted or dealt with that either. She is always in the back of my mind and I could cry at any given moment about it if I let myself think about her enough.

Anyway, as a mother and a teacher, I spend 90% of my time with children! Or alone. I interact with my co-workers of course, but it's different. Anyway, yes, I'm lonely too!

Sorry to go on and on about myself. Looking forward to escaping into sleep :(

Hi everyone!

Ending Day 13 and feeling pretty good. Went to the gym this morning and then packed a picnic lunch and took my daughter to her favorite park. I am finding that on nice days I need to get out of the house. When I am home I tend to think about drinking more and I get lethargic and moody. Not getting any housework done, but that can wait for a rainy day, I guess.

FABL - hang in there, you are doing great. I can relate to how you are feeling, but you will regret it so much if you give in. Trust me, after my slip at 48 days (and other slips) I felt awful about myself and it just wasn't worth that night of drinks that made me feel like crap. 30 days is huge, you can do this!

Hope everyone is doing well tonight. (((HUGS))) to all :)

Well, day 19 is drawing to a close. Gee, getting close to 3 weeks now.
First week went by so slow. Now the days seem to go by so much better.
Getting so a lot done around the yard. Stacked a cord of wood after work today.

Well reaching the end of day 25. Left work early to get a leaky tire fixed. Then on to what truly could drive a person to drink - checking in on my Grandmother. I do this every other Wednesday to help her write out checks for bills, take laundry home to do, general welfare check etc. Sounds sweet, right, and aren't I a nice granddaughter. Well no....in all honesty my grandmother is a crazy, selfish, manipulative, habitual liar (tell us how you really feel, NCG!) I stop by only because I believe my mother - who used to do this - would have asked me to if she'd had a chance to before she passed away in 2007. My mom used to go every week. I did too at first, but eventually I had to limit it to every other week because I was tired of dealing with someone who would look me in the face and lie to me every week.

And no it's not alzheimers or dementia. She's been this way forever.

But enough about my Grandma - I could go on and on with stories about her crazy ways! I'm home now, the cats are fed, and I've got dvr'd Top Chef Masters on the tv. Orange soda in hand. Still sober even after a very trying visit with Grandma. Sigh. And yay!

Keep up the good work everyone!