Saskia

kopfan

Six months today.

I was thinking this morning that I don't wake up and think about drink at all. That's such a good feeling. Thinking about drinking all the time when you don't drink anymore is the worst part of giving up the booze.

Here's to the next six months.

gleefan

Kopfan - Great job on 6 months sober! Keep up the good work ODAAT.

Thanks for the good wishes on my interview, everyone. I did my best and now I have to wait for the decision. They said it'll be some time this week. Waiting is not my strong suit, and this process has been an exercise in staying calm while waiting.

stargazer016

Congrats on six months kopfan! Seems like you have more time under your belt, but I just did the math on my fingers! You have made incredible strides over such a short period of time. The focus and organization you show are amazing. I know the healing process has proceeded at a far slower pace for myself, and even now, I struggle for daily motivation at times. But it does get better for each of us, ODAAT.

kopfan

Thank you guys. It's so empowering to have a great team cheering you on in the corner!

As the six month milestone got closer the AV started to play up significantly. What a pain it is!

I still can't stick to the routine every day and there are days like yesterday where I'll just have a complete detour but I guess it's all part of the healing process and the "on" days are becoming more frequent than the "off days".

Have a great day everyone!

Saskia

Congrats, Kopfan!

stargazer016

I remember my AV kicking up constantly at early milestones. 30,60,90 days, six months and even one year. The AV would whisper to me "You got this. You have gone X days without drinking. Celebrate with a drink!"

Thankfully, the intensity of that chatter will lessen with time.

Have a great day all!

tootsl1

Kongratulations Kopfan!!

gleefan

One of the fundamental lessons I learned early on was that no matter what, I could not safely drink. I couldn't put much stock in that chatter inside my head. That has been so helpful in overcoming other limiting thoughts and beliefs, as well.

Stargazer - My recovery takes its sweet time, too, with motivation being an issue. Something I've come to recognize, though, is that it's maybe always been an issue for me? The motivation I'm finding now is much stronger.

In any event I'm thankful for another sober day. Have a good one!

kopfan

Good Morning Sober People!

I keep the pain of my last bender fresh in my mind. Those horrible glazed eyes and raging headache.

Everytime I think "drink" I make the connection with that last bender so that the thought becomes automatic.

Now I begin to wonder:

A: How did I afford to drink?

B: How did I manage to avoid serious illness?

I just put the bins out and there was no clinking of glass. I even missed the recycling a fortnight ago and it didn't matter. The glass bin is not even half full. I always used to miss the bins and wonder where I was going to start putting all the bottles and cans for the next two weeks.

I'm thankful to escape all that madness.

Have a great day everyone!

tootsl1

I will never allow myself to forget the sense of self loathing as I tried to meet my eye in the mirror those last days.

Saskia

I'll never forget how hard it was to quit the last time. I didn't think I could do it.

Saskia

Babs, ginormous congrats on reaching 6 months sober.

Dee74

Congrats from me too Babs

Babs1234

ohhhh thank you so much Dee, Sass and everyone. I'm so proud this time. I have been here before but, like I've said earlier I feel so much stronger this time. I still have very bad temptations but, again I'm like you guys---the thought of looking at myself and barley being able to do that cause I was so drunk--just puts me on the straight. I don't ever want to feel that low or sick or anything like that again. Whooooah that was nasty.
Hugs to you guys. You know---I couldn't have done it without you.
Sass you tell me like it is and that's what I need.
again I want to thank all of you.
Hugs
Babs

gleefan

Babs - Great job on 6 months. I know what you mean about sobriety feeling deep and rooted. I think that's what happens when a person works on any toxic thoughts and patterns underlying their drinking, and I've noticed you've been looking at your struggles in a deep, meaningful way. I happy for you. Keep up the good work!

stargazer016

Great job Babs! I think by six months, I began to really feel that I can indeed do this! Congrats!

Toots, the self loathing at the end is a tape that I still continually play over in my head. Promising myself I would not drink much today, or not start until the afternoon or whatever deluded promise I made to myself at the start of each day. The self hatred I felt for not being able to stop myself from drinking is an emotion I hope to never have to experience again.

Have a great day all!

tootsl1

Ditto Star, that's why I keep it foremost in my memory.

Well done Babs on 6 months, so proud of you sweetie.

kopfan

Morning Everyone!

Congrats Babs! Brilliant Job!

I thought I'd try sticking to juice yesterday to try and start losing some weight. Big mistake!

As I got hungrier through the day the AV really kicked up big style so I am not ready for that yet. I'm ditching the chocolate and cookies though!

Have a great day everyone.

Saskia

Kopfan, good job realizing that this is a lengthy process and that it helps a great deal if we pay attention to what we are feeling.