Happy 1 Year American Girl
April 18, 2010
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,117
Aw shucks, thanks Anna! And thanks everyone for your support 
Yes, today I am one year sober (and clean)! I was going to post something here in Newcomers so I suppose this is a good opportunity for it. I am so grateful to the entire SR community for helping support me over the past year. My recovery method has involved a little counseling, keeping a journal, reading books about recovery, applying some of the universal concepts of recovery to my life, and getting support from my loved ones. But the major/primary source of support and knowledge has come from this website and I know I would not be here without it. SO THANKS, y’all!
I wanted to post in newcomers today to link my story, which is here, and also because I want you to know that if I can do this, you can do this. Like so many of you, for many years I wanted to be able to moderate. For many years I felt I hated what alcohol was doing to me, but I couldn’t imagine my life without it. Someone here told me that it would get easier. They were right. Someone else told me it would be worth it. That was right too.
If I could give a few tips to newcomers in their earliest days, this is what I would suggest. Free yourself from temptation by removing all alcohol from your home and limit time spent around unhealthy environments. Meet other people who can relate to your experience, either in real life or here on SR, and talk, talk, talk. Educate yourself as much as you can, from as many different sources as you can, about alcoholism. Give yourself permission to struggle and to have a really really hard time at first. It’s okay for it to be hard, and you don’t have to feel embarrassed when it is. Many things worth doing are very hard and you are very brave to put yourself out there and attempt to make this radical change.
As I enter year two, I still learn something new here every single day. It’s amazing how much there is to learn in recovery, and even though it’s been a year, I’ve got lots to learn . . . and I look forward to it. So, I’ll climb down from my soap box, but it was nice having my anniversary as an excuse to climb up here.
I’m so grateful for SR, all my pals here, the people in the Class of April 2010 and the Gratitude List, and the moderators who work tirelessly to keep this place in order.
To those of you starting out, please know you can do it!
Yes, today I am one year sober (and clean)! I was going to post something here in Newcomers so I suppose this is a good opportunity for it.
I am so grateful to the entire SR community for helping support me over the past year. My recovery method has involved a little counseling, keeping a journal, reading books about recovery, applying some of the universal concepts of recovery to my life, and getting support from my loved ones. But the major/primary source of support and knowledge has come from this website and I know I would not be here without it. SO THANKS, y’all! I wanted to post in newcomers today to link my story, which is here, and also because I want you to know that if I can do this, you can do this. Like so many of you, for many years I wanted to be able to moderate. For many years I felt I hated what alcohol was doing to me, but I couldn’t imagine my life without it. Someone here told me that it would get easier. They were right. Someone else told me it would be worth it. That was right too.
If I could give a few tips to newcomers in their earliest days, this is what I would suggest. Free yourself from temptation by removing all alcohol from your home and limit time spent around unhealthy environments. Meet other people who can relate to your experience, either in real life or here on SR, and talk, talk, talk. Educate yourself as much as you can, from as many different sources as you can, about alcoholism. Give yourself permission to struggle and to have a really really hard time at first. It’s okay for it to be hard, and you don’t have to feel embarrassed when it is. Many things worth doing are very hard and you are very brave to put yourself out there and attempt to make this radical change.
As I enter year two, I still learn something new here every single day. It’s amazing how much there is to learn in recovery, and even though it’s been a year, I’ve got lots to learn . . . and I look forward to it. So, I’ll climb down from my soap box, but it was nice having my anniversary as an excuse to climb up here.
I’m so grateful for SR, all my pals here, the people in the Class of April 2010 and the Gratitude List, and the moderators who work tirelessly to keep this place in order. To those of you starting out, please know you can do it!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 6,947
Very nice... Thanx for sharing. I liked your advice about allowing ourselves the struggle. I know that I avoided the struggle for a long time by escaping. But to struggle is to be human and there is a reason for our journey and we don't always have to know what the reason is....
Congrats!
Like your avatar... is that Hopper?
Congrats!
Like your avatar... is that Hopper?
SR Fan
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
A HUGE congratulations for you! That's fantastic...... I absolutely loved your post and the advice you would give to those starting off, especially that's it's OK for it to be hard sometimes.
I hope your second year is even better!:day1
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: New England
Posts: 5,285
Hey AG!
You are always a huge inspiration to me. The way you view the process and your life. It s always nice to follow in the shoes of someone like you...and I can sit here a couple months behind you and see what is possible.
I also love your new Avatar
Beaucoup hugs! Tina
c011:
You are always a huge inspiration to me. The way you view the process and your life. It s always nice to follow in the shoes of someone like you...and I can sit here a couple months behind you and see what is possible.
I also love your new Avatar
Beaucoup hugs! Tina
c011: 
April 18, 2010
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,117
Thanks so much, everyone. I'm moved by your kind responses. Big hugs all around. . !
And yep, Mark, it's Hopper. I know there are a lot of interpretations for his work . . but when I see that woman I think that's how I want to look out at the world in the morning.
And yep, Mark, it's Hopper.
I know there are a lot of interpretations for his work . . but when I see that woman I think that's how I want to look out at the world in the morning.
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