can I join the sober club in the middle of the month? I am so disgusted with my lack of ability to stay sober. I need connection and accountability.

I joined last Saturday; we are just fashionably late, aka much cooler. ;)

I believe this is the first sober Sunday I've had in a long, long time

Just saw your post Aarry, well I was planning to spend the day wandering around Camden market (cool place, loads of stalls etc) whilst bf saw his kids, but because Im not drinking he trusted me to see them. Ta daa!!! I was so happy when they came storming in through the door :), good things do happen with sobriety (I admit it was pretty quick lol, am only on day 9).

He knew I missed them, maybe it was his way of saying well done, look what you can have with sobriety. Hope you had a great day x

:danse1b:

Hi uncharted, yes please join us:herewego

That's great toddle!!

Now that I've actually hit 1 week I really see that I can keep racking the weeks up. It gives me a lot of hope.

I feel better today, as it's the first day I've really taken care of myself. Other than just not drinking all week.

Last night I took an Epsom salt bath that I also added some herbal tea to, and hooked up the laptop on top of a suitcase and a dictionary so I could soak and watch my new mystery, The Returned. Haven't done something nice like that for myself in ages.

Woke up and did a super quick tidy up and prepared some breakfast.

Did some yoga, I am so stiff!!! But I got through what I could remember of my flow. Hopefully soon I'll start improvising again.

Now I'm drinking my coffee and eating a couple boiled eggs and drinking this green thing with -- chlorella?? Some algae that contains lots of chlorophyll. I heard chlorophyll is good for the ol liver. Maybe will help to wring out some poison.

I'm sure I'll be close by all day, as it's one of those sunny Sundays that used to inspire me to get into mischief.

Trying to stay in the moment.

Ilya

Hi and welcome unchartedxo. Glad you made it x

Brilliant Ilya

Its so good to spend time doing things we probably would never have done were we drinking. That bath thing sounds great :), I may have to try that!

I envy you being able to do yoga, I cant do it, well tbh Ive never tried lol, but looks too hard! Maybe should get a DVD or something, same with meditation, do you do that? Lots of ppl seem to do it on here but I dont know if I could do it.

Im glad youre looking after yourself, Im sure youre noticing your skin is clearer, I know I am. Have put on weight though, suprising as not eating that much more...hey ho, least of my problems at moment.

Have a great day, and carry on looking after yourself...youre worth it.

All of us on here are, much to our AV's consternation!:grouphug:

Hi uncharted! You've joined a great group

Toddle, I have trouble meditating too. So much chattering going on inside. But meditation is more about surfing the thoughts and encountering them and practicing controlling what comes at you. At least that's my interpretation, since distraction and uncontrollable thoughts are my main prob.
Yoga and meditation are aaallll about baby steps and making accomplishments bit by bit each session. You can get a lot of satisfaction on your first yoga session even without any real knowledge. It's the breathing that pulls you into this great state of mind.
Good luck if you try!
I got started with a book because then I could control the mood and environment around me. Sound, light, etc. and I felt comfortable enough after a while to go to a class.

Happy Sunday everyone :) and welcome to the newest Marchers!

Sundays are an adjustment - I used to spend a good portion of the afternoon getting bombed before heading back to work on Monday. When I say it in those words I don't miss it or feel like I am missing out - it just isn't what I do on Sundays any longer!

Stay strong :)

ps Someday I hope to be able to meditate

Aww, how cool is that Toddle? :) We are all loved and loveable, just more so if we love ourselves enough to get sober and stay sober.

I've found today quite tough. I can control my immediate surroundings and make sure my house is alcohol-free, I can regulate how I socialise and with whom so I don't set myself up to pick up, but goodness me out and about on a sunny day in London and there is booze EVERYWHERE.

Pubs, beer gardens, bars, advertising hoardings, craft beer tasting at the farmers' market...you name it, it's been in my face!

So not just cravings today, cravings and nostalgia for the days when my relationship with alcohol wasn't problematic and it was a source of enjoyment and pleasure. Before I blew it.

Hey-ho.

Welcome to the Marchers unchartedxo.

Today would be a fine day to join.

If you need more reading about us Marchers there are Parts 1 and 2 of this thread also.

Oh Shoshie I know, we went to Primrose Hill, people sitting outside drinking wine in the sun, people on the green drinking with picnics etc, it made me reminisce too...it is sad that we cant be part of it. But we cant. Still, you didnt give in, I suppose its just something we are just going to have to get used to. By 9 pm tonight most will feel groggy and have spent a bunch of money hehe!

I was so happy to see the kids it put it into perspective for me. I prefer this life to the drunk lonely one, because we wouldnt be sitting all happy having a couple of drinks in the sun would we? We'd still be drinking now, probably ruin the day for everyone and feel crap in the morning.

So we just have to tell ourselves this is our new way of life, and deal with these outside influences the best we can!

:ring

this is what I have to keep telling myself too. I don't always drank. in fact, I rarely drink! But when I drink, I drink a lot..... I don't have that off switch. So many times when I was sober I would reminisce and daydream about Sunday afternoon day drinking. Have wine with lunch after church on my friend back porch, beer at the bar while watching the football game... but also, how many times have I been bombed drunk by 7pm and act like a fool in front of my child at bedtime? Or wake up to a busy Monday morning sick as a dog?

How quickly I tend to forget to play the whole tape out in my head... I watch the good parts of drinking, not the conflict...

Dear uncharted, I know, its weird how our brains only remember the good times and never the bad when it comes to drink. Selective memory or what? We see the cosy warmness a drink gives you, not the hours later, out of our heads, making a fool of ourself, hurting people around us, wasting money, making stupid decisions....

We must be vigilant on remembering the bad times, the minute we start romanticising drink the danger begins!

Hey Chica, as a teacher, I've had to counsel a lot of young people on break-ups. I always tell them to cut off all contact. It may seem cruel, but it really is the kindest thing in the end. Maybe he had a teacher like me. Love and hugs to you.

Ah yes, the elusive 'off switch'. I'm interested in the genetics/environment research around this. My dad's grandfather was a raging alcoholic and lost everything. My grandfather never touched a drop as a consequence, but my dad's a big drinker and my sister got herself to AA three years ago before things got messy.

I don't have an off-switch either. I was on a one-way ride with alcohol and it does help me a bit to know that at a rational level.

Oh my. My friends are calling, sister calling, I am just ignoring the phone.... I know they need me and some support right now but I just don't have anything quite yet. Maybe after this day of recharging, again?

Great to Join
 

Glad to part of the class of March 2014. One day at a time, but it feels like a real commitment.