Class of March 2010
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Here There & Everywhere
Posts: 153
Thanks to everyone for their support yesterday! I had a real wobbly. I thought to stay up in that Pink Cloud as Anna called it forever! Well, I guess life, as we know it, is still here and needs to be dealt with.... Okay, got it, one day at a time! So that is exactly what I will do.
I am up awful early, but had a good night sleep. Dawning of day 10! Remember as a kid I thought 10 was magical because it was 2 full hands, when I was really little (before I could count) I always thought 10 or the "2 full hands" was the max, so that is going to be my attitude for today. I have reached 2 full hands.
Another day of sobriety to look forward too and hope everyone is doing well.
:ghug3 Signing off now and my next post will be from the Gulf Coast!
(that is sparkling water with a lemon twist in that glass, in case anyone is wondering!)
I am up awful early, but had a good night sleep. Dawning of day 10! Remember as a kid I thought 10 was magical because it was 2 full hands, when I was really little (before I could count) I always thought 10 or the "2 full hands" was the max, so that is going to be my attitude for today. I have reached 2 full hands.
Another day of sobriety to look forward too and hope everyone is doing well.
:ghug3 Signing off now and my next post will be from the Gulf Coast!
(that is sparkling water with a lemon twist in that glass, in case anyone is wondering!)
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Redefining Happy
Posts: 2,085
Hi Marchies,
Really thankful for all your posts. I have been off wine for over a week now. My headache is finally gone. Still feeling depressed but not hungover so I'll take that.
Best to all
Really thankful for all your posts. I have been off wine for over a week now. My headache is finally gone. Still feeling depressed but not hungover so I'll take that.
Best to all
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 31
I agree with Snarf in the sense that I spent so much time drinking, thinking about drinking, or recovering from drinking, and that if I can spend even a fraction of that time on my recovery I think I will be in pretty good shape. It's worked so far, even though the euphoria of my initial few days of sobriety has vanished.
Last night I dealt with my first serious, pull your hair and kick the cat (jk) craving, and I just kept thinking about all the progress I've made and how crappy it felt to wake up from a night of getting hammered. I made myself an orange juice and sparkling water "cocktail" in my favorite wine glass, sat on the sofa and read a book I WANTED to read (full time student here as well) and that helped calm me down a bit. I think part of the reason I had such a love affair with booze is that, in a weird way, it helped me recognize when I needed to slow down and take a break. Only that break would end up being two bottles of wine and some xanax... So I've learned that I need to listen to myself in terms of stress and feeling overwhelmed.
I spent so much time drinking, both in hours of the day and years, that I think I constructed my whole sense of who I was around booze. It's been my biggest hobby and the thing I have devoted most of my time to for a decade. Now that the initial "YES! SOBER!" period has passed for me, I feel like I don't know who I am or what I want out of life. Anyone else feel like that? I kind of feel like Rip Van Winkle waking up after years of slumber and having no idea what just happened to me. Weird feeling.
I guess it could be a positive thing that I get to reinvent myself according to healthier values and a humbler perspective on life, but sometimes the emptiness, loneliness, and anxiety is hard to cope with. I guess it's an adventure either way... What I know for sure is that I can't go back to the way I was living two and a half weeks ago. I keep telling myself that I don't have to see the top of the mountain to take the first step, but it's a bit scary not knowing where I'm going.
Hope all is well with all of you. This forum does keep me sane in a big way, so thanks to you all for being here and sharing
Amy
Last night I dealt with my first serious, pull your hair and kick the cat (jk) craving, and I just kept thinking about all the progress I've made and how crappy it felt to wake up from a night of getting hammered. I made myself an orange juice and sparkling water "cocktail" in my favorite wine glass, sat on the sofa and read a book I WANTED to read (full time student here as well) and that helped calm me down a bit. I think part of the reason I had such a love affair with booze is that, in a weird way, it helped me recognize when I needed to slow down and take a break. Only that break would end up being two bottles of wine and some xanax... So I've learned that I need to listen to myself in terms of stress and feeling overwhelmed.
I spent so much time drinking, both in hours of the day and years, that I think I constructed my whole sense of who I was around booze. It's been my biggest hobby and the thing I have devoted most of my time to for a decade. Now that the initial "YES! SOBER!" period has passed for me, I feel like I don't know who I am or what I want out of life. Anyone else feel like that? I kind of feel like Rip Van Winkle waking up after years of slumber and having no idea what just happened to me. Weird feeling.
I guess it could be a positive thing that I get to reinvent myself according to healthier values and a humbler perspective on life, but sometimes the emptiness, loneliness, and anxiety is hard to cope with. I guess it's an adventure either way... What I know for sure is that I can't go back to the way I was living two and a half weeks ago. I keep telling myself that I don't have to see the top of the mountain to take the first step, but it's a bit scary not knowing where I'm going.
Hope all is well with all of you. This forum does keep me sane in a big way, so thanks to you all for being here and sharing
Amy
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,518
Hi SoberSoFar,
I understand what you're saying.
I read a book by the actress Mia Farrow called "What Falls Away". When I started to read it, I was intrigued by the title, but didn't really get it. In Mia's case, what falls away during a time of crisis, was almost everything she had believed about herself. What was left behind - the core of who she was. And, that's how I felt when I stopped drinking. My beliefs about myself were shattered and I had no idea who I was. And, that's what recovery is about.
I understand what you're saying.
I read a book by the actress Mia Farrow called "What Falls Away". When I started to read it, I was intrigued by the title, but didn't really get it. In Mia's case, what falls away during a time of crisis, was almost everything she had believed about herself. What was left behind - the core of who she was. And, that's how I felt when I stopped drinking. My beliefs about myself were shattered and I had no idea who I was. And, that's what recovery is about.
Snarf Snarf
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 835
I've passed the 2-week mark, everybody! Thanks for being here. Everybody has been a huge help in staying away from the booze. I'm so very thankful for my March classmates and for the SR community as a whole.
Let's make today an awesome day!
Let's make today an awesome day!
Snarf Snarf
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 835
Great job, guys! It's amazing to me how I used to fight having a drink (and I always lost that fight), but now it's like the desire has been lifted. I know there are better things to do with my time/money.
A friend of mine decided to stop drinking this week (Monday). She's having a bit of a rough time with the fact that she will have to do some things sober that she used to do drunk. She couldn't believe that I went to the Braves' opener Monday without drinking. I told her it was easy; I just didn't walk up to the beer stand and hand the guy $7. The Braves allow you to bring in your own non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles, so I spent $12 on Cokes and bottled waters for my fiancee and me, took them into the game, and they lasted the whole time.
We used to spend like $50+ on beer alone! My bank account is happy with me right now.
A friend of mine decided to stop drinking this week (Monday). She's having a bit of a rough time with the fact that she will have to do some things sober that she used to do drunk. She couldn't believe that I went to the Braves' opener Monday without drinking. I told her it was easy; I just didn't walk up to the beer stand and hand the guy $7. The Braves allow you to bring in your own non-alcoholic beverages in plastic bottles, so I spent $12 on Cokes and bottled waters for my fiancee and me, took them into the game, and they lasted the whole time.
We used to spend like $50+ on beer alone! My bank account is happy with me right now.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 31
What happened to March, people?! Where did everyone go? I have been sober for 29 days. Today, I realized that I have always thought that 4 weeks was 30 days was a month. Turns out 7+7+7+7=28 LOLOLOL!! Ah, it's the little things in life, isn't it? Hope all of you March-ites are well.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Redefining Happy
Posts: 2,085
21 days for me today I've been keeping busy, lots to do around here. I have been drinking Sprite Zero in a wine glass at night (I really like holding the glass??). I've had a major craving or two, but pouring the sprite in the wine glass and thinking about why I am having the craving seems to help. The first week was really hard... I was very depressed and had no energy. Now my energy is back and I have a really clean house to boot! 
I love NOT having a massive headache when I wake up in the morning. I love NOT waking up at 3 am feeling like crap and not being able to get back to sleep for 2 hours. I am so thankful that when I am sober, I do NOT pick fights at night with my poor husband (and not remembering why in the morning). Crazy stuff. I have a 12 year history of doing all that (and plenty more!) garbage. I have a LONG way to go, but I am thankful that I started this journey again.
Thanks for continuing the thread SSF. I was wondering what was up with the March folks too. Keep at it
I've been keeping busy, lots to do around here. I have been drinking Sprite Zero in a wine glass at night (I really like holding the glass??). I've had a major craving or two, but pouring the sprite in the wine glass and thinking about why I am having the craving seems to help. The first week was really hard... I was very depressed and had no energy. Now my energy is back and I have a really clean house to boot! I love NOT having a massive headache when I wake up in the morning. I love NOT waking up at 3 am feeling like crap and not being able to get back to sleep for 2 hours. I am so thankful that when I am sober, I do NOT pick fights at night with my poor husband (and not remembering why in the morning). Crazy stuff. I have a 12 year history of doing all that (and plenty more!) garbage. I have a LONG way to go, but I am thankful that I started this journey again.
Thanks for continuing the thread SSF. I was wondering what was up with the March folks too. Keep at it
Snarf Snarf
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 835
March 25, 2010: my Independence Day.
I've always gone along with the crowd, yet always somehow managed to become the leader of the crowd. Always got myself roped into situations I didn't want to be and/or knew I shouldn't be in, but once there, I took charge and became the lead partier. Somewhat of a leader-follower, if you will.
But that changed 1 month ago today. Now when I get off work and people ask if I want a drink, instead of not wanting one but having it anyway (and then another, and then another...), I can say, "No thanks," and head home. When friends are going to a bar, rather than going and spending money I know I can't spend, I'm OK just staying home and watching some TV. I finally feel content doing what I want to do.
Heard something cool in a meeting today. When I'm faced with certain situations, rather than struggling and looking at it as saying "No" to something (a drink, or going somewhere I don't need to go, or whatever), I can look at that decision as saying "Yes" to something else. "Yes" to my sobriety, or to God, or to my future, or whatever. It's a lot easier to say "Yes" to something positive than "No" to something negative.
Hope all my March classmates are doing well!
I've always gone along with the crowd, yet always somehow managed to become the leader of the crowd. Always got myself roped into situations I didn't want to be and/or knew I shouldn't be in, but once there, I took charge and became the lead partier. Somewhat of a leader-follower, if you will.
But that changed 1 month ago today. Now when I get off work and people ask if I want a drink, instead of not wanting one but having it anyway (and then another, and then another...), I can say, "No thanks," and head home. When friends are going to a bar, rather than going and spending money I know I can't spend, I'm OK just staying home and watching some TV. I finally feel content doing what I want to do.
Heard something cool in a meeting today. When I'm faced with certain situations, rather than struggling and looking at it as saying "No" to something (a drink, or going somewhere I don't need to go, or whatever), I can look at that decision as saying "Yes" to something else. "Yes" to my sobriety, or to God, or to my future, or whatever. It's a lot easier to say "Yes" to something positive than "No" to something negative.
Hope all my March classmates are doing well!
Snarf Snarf
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: ATL
Posts: 835
Back from the dead, the March 2010 thread lives!
Just wanted to pop in an see how everyone's doing. Myself, I turned 29 last Saturday and I think it was the first sober birthday I've had since 18. Today, I'm celebrating 6 weeks without the booze. And I've found some struggles along the way, but my biggest struggle is facing my problems in a mature manner without resorting to alcohol.
Those first couple weeks of sobriety, it seemed as though all my problems had vanished. I had asked God to remove from me the affliction of alcoholism, and he did. I asked him to ease my mind of things that had been bothering me, and he did. I asked for his will, instead of mine, to be done in my troubled relationship, and I believe it was his will that things have greatly improved with my fiancee. I was floating on Cloud 9 those first 3 weeks or so.
Then reality hit me. I still had bills, I still had school, I still had unaddressed legal issues, I still had family responsibilities, I still had a home life to manage, only I had been avoiding all these things and drinking instead. Now not only were these problems still there, but I had to actually deal with them! And go to meetings and talk to my sponsor and read the literature and all that! How in the world was I going to make this work? And how could I take on all this without having a drink or 12 to unwind?
Well, I'm making it work by keeping things as simple as possible. "One day at a time," they say. It's not perfect, but I try really hard to not worry about things in the future. I try not to get inside my head and concern myself with the outcomes of events that haven't even happened yet. All I can really do is try every day and to take the right steps toward staying sober, being a decent person and contributing to this world in a positive manner. And I've found that the only way I can do those things is to give up my will, which always lead to trouble, and to ask my God to use me as a tool to do his will. Only by giving up, giving in and accepting that I'm not in charge was I able to find any real empowerment.
Now I wake up in the morning and go to the gym to work out before my day gets started. I go to work and I go to meetings. I check in on SR every day. I read my books. I'm kind to people. But these things don't happen by my will. My will got me drunk and in jail and caused me to lose relationships that I really cared about. Only through my God's will have I been able to stay sober and on the right track. And I am so thankful that I no longer go to bed or wake up with regrets over my actions. I am thankful that I have peace.
Just wanted to pop in an see how everyone's doing. Myself, I turned 29 last Saturday and I think it was the first sober birthday I've had since 18. Today, I'm celebrating 6 weeks without the booze. And I've found some struggles along the way, but my biggest struggle is facing my problems in a mature manner without resorting to alcohol.
Those first couple weeks of sobriety, it seemed as though all my problems had vanished. I had asked God to remove from me the affliction of alcoholism, and he did. I asked him to ease my mind of things that had been bothering me, and he did. I asked for his will, instead of mine, to be done in my troubled relationship, and I believe it was his will that things have greatly improved with my fiancee. I was floating on Cloud 9 those first 3 weeks or so.
Then reality hit me. I still had bills, I still had school, I still had unaddressed legal issues, I still had family responsibilities, I still had a home life to manage, only I had been avoiding all these things and drinking instead. Now not only were these problems still there, but I had to actually deal with them! And go to meetings and talk to my sponsor and read the literature and all that! How in the world was I going to make this work? And how could I take on all this without having a drink or 12 to unwind?
Well, I'm making it work by keeping things as simple as possible. "One day at a time," they say. It's not perfect, but I try really hard to not worry about things in the future. I try not to get inside my head and concern myself with the outcomes of events that haven't even happened yet. All I can really do is try every day and to take the right steps toward staying sober, being a decent person and contributing to this world in a positive manner. And I've found that the only way I can do those things is to give up my will, which always lead to trouble, and to ask my God to use me as a tool to do his will. Only by giving up, giving in and accepting that I'm not in charge was I able to find any real empowerment.
Now I wake up in the morning and go to the gym to work out before my day gets started. I go to work and I go to meetings. I check in on SR every day. I read my books. I'm kind to people. But these things don't happen by my will. My will got me drunk and in jail and caused me to lose relationships that I really cared about. Only through my God's will have I been able to stay sober and on the right track. And I am so thankful that I no longer go to bed or wake up with regrets over my actions. I am thankful that I have peace.
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