One Year & Over Part 27
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,294
My 25 year old Buick has been driven drunk more times than I can mention, but miraculously never damaged. One of the reasons why I keep it, I think it is a good luck charm.
Friend of mine who has been sober over 30 years quit when he drove a new Cadillac Seville, one of the most expensive US built cars then, into a creek 6 hours after he picked it up from the dealer. It was reparable but he decided that was getting awfully expensive!
Friend of mine who has been sober over 30 years quit when he drove a new Cadillac Seville, one of the most expensive US built cars then, into a creek 6 hours after he picked it up from the dealer. It was reparable but he decided that was getting awfully expensive!
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,378
I empathise OLL but try and remember that everyone else in that room has felt that way too at some time or another.
You've 'earned your seat' there, as they say - you deserve as much help and support as the rest of us
D.
You've 'earned your seat' there, as they say - you deserve as much help and support as the rest of us
D.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 2,294
Originally Posted by OneLessLonely 
Morning Overs,
Today's gonna be a long one. Early wake up after trouble going to bed. I was pretty emotional after last night's meeting. I have had crippling social anxiety which I thought had gotten better (and it has, in some circumstances). But it seems to have come back with a vengeance at meetings. I want what a lot of these people have. I want to be like a lot of these people. But I can't even get my words out in the right order just making small talk, much less share so everyone can be familiar with me. The things I would share about are things I have barely ever spoken about out loud. And I know that's how everyone was when they first started going. But I dunno. I got onto the hamster wheel of "there's something wrong with me" and "I'm not {insert any quality here} enough." Just a pretty hopeless feeling.
Today's gonna be a long one. Early wake up after trouble going to bed. I was pretty emotional after last night's meeting. I have had crippling social anxiety which I thought had gotten better (and it has, in some circumstances). But it seems to have come back with a vengeance at meetings. I want what a lot of these people have. I want to be like a lot of these people. But I can't even get my words out in the right order just making small talk, much less share so everyone can be familiar with me. The things I would share about are things I have barely ever spoken about out loud. And I know that's how everyone was when they first started going. But I dunno. I got onto the hamster wheel of "there's something wrong with me" and "I'm not {insert any quality here} enough." Just a pretty hopeless feeling.
OLL. I can so relate, you are not alone in this. Social anxiety is a menace. The situation you describe would have me in tears in a New York minute. If I am rehearsed, planned and ready, I can speak in front of 4,000 people and actually enjoy it. But I would then go to great lengths to avoid talking to any of them individually after.First AA meeting I went to was like that. It was huge and I felt totally overwhelmed. As soon as the ending Amen was said, I was out the door in a flash.
One of the reasons I love forums like this, I can express what my voice won't let me do face to face.
Dee makes a good point, many others feel that way too. I need to realize that as well.
non-drinker
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 13,833
OLL, I've social anxiety issues my entire life. In fact, it's one of the reasons that I started drinking in the first place. I've gotten better the past few years, but it's something I'll probably have to always work on to some degree.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1,490
Haha - half an hour ago I sat down to have a quick cuppa after having mown the lawn, with all intentions of getting straight back up to cut the hedge, but I have been here reading for a while So, giving myself a little kick to get on up and back to it (ahead of heavy rain forecast for tomorrow!!).
Hi to everyone
So, giving myself a little kick to get on up and back to it (ahead of heavy rain forecast for tomorrow!!).Hi to everyone
Magsie
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 26,644
Evening overs, hope all is well with your world.
OLL sorry you're feeling this way. I had lots of anxieties when I stopped drinking for quite a while. I remember a long time ago I was embarrassed to eat out with anyone. My husband, who was my boyfriend then said 'what do I eat like' I said I have No idea what he ate like, there you go, he stated, No one is looking at you, they're too concerned with themselves.
Congratulations Gilmer on 20 months, bring out the cake!
OLL sorry you're feeling this way. I had lots of anxieties when I stopped drinking for quite a while. I remember a long time ago I was embarrassed to eat out with anyone. My husband, who was my boyfriend then said 'what do I eat like' I said I have No idea what he ate like, there you go, he stated, No one is looking at you, they're too concerned with themselves.
Congratulations Gilmer on 20 months, bring out the cake!
Living and Loving Life at Last
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: gods own country
Posts: 12,164
Originally Posted by FormerBeerLover
Congrats to Gilmer on 20 months sober today!
Happy B-day to my 2010 Toyota Corolla! It was exactly six years ago today that I bought it brand new. It turned to EXACTLY 68,000 miles this morning as I pulled into the parking lot. After hundreds of times driving my previous cars drunk (not bragging, just stating a fact), this car has only been driven stone cold sober
Have a great Thursday, gang!
Happy B-day to my 2010 Toyota Corolla! It was exactly six years ago today that I bought it brand new. It turned to EXACTLY 68,000 miles this morning as I pulled into the parking lot. After hundreds of times driving my previous cars drunk (not bragging, just stating a fact), this car has only been driven stone cold sober
Have a great Thursday, gang!
Haha what an amazing coincidence that it clocked 68000 on its birthday....or did you loop the block a few times! Lol I have never had a brand new car, all mine were preloved.
Drake I think your Buick has its own personality!
OLL I've never been to AA, but I have had to talk of private issues to a group of people. I feel some anxiety comes from a natural disinclination to trust others and allow vulnerability. It may take time for you to reach that point. It may help to realise that everyone else there feels the same, has the same initial trust issues and fears. To help with small talk, I always imagine the other person is more shy than I am and it gives me a little confidence. ( yes believe it or not this rampant mouth on legs is shy in new company!)
Gilmer congrats on 20 months and I hope yesterday went ok in PA.
FG, winter is back with a vengence isn't it! Long trousers and a cardy today it is ridiculous! Oh I love my adopted country with all my heart, but the summers here are beyond insanity! While 500 miles south it's too hot for my poor mom to play golf! ( talking of which if you want to see a little of my and FGs weather, go watch the Open today!! It's slap bang in the middle of the two of us - give or take a few yards!- )
Sober date 5/1/13
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Staffordshire UK
Posts: 3,547
Good morning Overs.
Well done Gilmer
My day is going to be all busted up. First I have a prize giving for our DD13. Then she is bringing a friend for lunch. Then I have a leavers assembly for DD11. Both school halls have the minimum of opening windows and when they are full of parents the temperature sores.
Have a good day everyone.
Well done Gilmer
My day is going to be all busted up. First I have a prize giving for our DD13. Then she is bringing a friend for lunch. Then I have a leavers assembly for DD11. Both school halls have the minimum of opening windows and when they are full of parents the temperature sores.
Have a good day everyone.
non-drinker
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Posts: 13,833
Toots, the new car models always come out here months in advance of the actual "model" year. Yes, it did actually turn over as I was pulling into the parking lot, without any looping This is only the 4th car I've ever owned, so I tend to drive 'em until they drop.
Have a great Friday, overs!
This is only the 4th car I've ever owned, so I tend to drive 'em until they drop.Have a great Friday, overs!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: my room in ct.
Posts: 58,110
oll
for me, i found going on outgoings to tell my story
working with others/sponsee's
phone therapy
the before the meeting/after the meeting
chairing meetings
all helped with my SA
now, they cant shut me up live! lol
online thats different
my typing skills suck
i'm an advanced hunt & peck
for me, i found going on outgoings to tell my story
working with others/sponsee's
phone therapy
the before the meeting/after the meeting
chairing meetings
all helped with my SA
now, they cant shut me up live! lol
online thats different
my typing skills suck
i'm an advanced hunt & peck
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1,490
Toots - I don't really mind cooler weather but I'm glad the rain has stopped in my area
Did not sleep well last night, despite all the garden work, so now feeling myself dropping off but need to keep awake so I sleep well when it is finally bed time lol!
Did not sleep well last night, despite all the garden work, so now feeling myself dropping off but need to keep awake so I sleep well when it is finally bed time lol!
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