What changes are you seeing?
 

I read this site quite a bit before joining and before quitting drinking. I imagine there are many people reading through trying to get encouragement to quit. At 9 days, I'm by no means "out of the woods" but thought it would be helpful to list some of the positive changes I've noticed in a little over a week without drinking. Feel free to add your own!

So here goes:

My mood is much better, I feel more patient with my kids, more level-headed.

Little by little, my self respect is starting to return, and it's a beautiful thing.

I sleep a little better and don't wake up feeling guilty.

I have a better taste in my mouth - I was starting to wonder if I had bad breath a lot, even after brushing - it was embarrassing.

I don't have to worry that my husband will find my secret stash or come home early from work. There's nothing to find and I'd be happy to see him if he came home right now.

My skin feels and looks a little better.

The pain under my ribs has gone away.

I've lost a few pounds.

I've started to re-engage in my friendships.

I would like to live. (When I was drinking heavily I wasn't exactly suicidal, but I felt like death would be ok, a relief.)

Anyone else noticing small changes in yourself?

I'm only on day 3 but already feel like things are more clear. It's felt good to just relax and watch tv at night and "zone out". I do feel really exhausted, hoping that lets up a little. Then again, I work 2 jobs and take care of my elderly mom 24/7 so I'm always tired anyway. Looking forward to seeing some of the changes you mentioned above :)

I'm learning to like the person that I am... which, if you knew me 4 months ago, would have seemed impossible.

I'm getting my 'self' back, my soul. I'm beginning to understand that even when I wasn't drinking, alcohol had taken over my life.

Thanks CMC - great post

For me sobrierty has meant I am the real me now.
I sleep, eat normally, exercise a lot more, relax, am more loving - the list is endless
Also I have don't carry around tons of guilt and fear and I don't live a lie

Long may it continue for us all

Good idea for a thread. This is day 4 for me....

I have a better tone in my voice.
I'm a runner, and my legs are recovering better.
Stomach isn't so bloated, although more to go.
had a great nights' sleep.
want to keep going and work through other drinking issues like triggers and habits.
I feel positive.

I'm really on the 3rd week.. but I definitely feel more clear headed and more energetic. I'm also trying to cut off caffeine too which probably affects it.

Day 6: I'm motivated to get work done, not nursing a hangover of guilt & shame all day is freeing! Actually enjoyed getting an iced coffee over a vodka-whatever to relax in the sun!

i've lost over 20 pounds

i am a lot less fearful

i respect myself

i am more even tempered and pleasant to be around even when i'm alone

i take care of myself and take my medication

i make appointments

i got a good job

i take care of my household

i don't fall down and end up with "mystery bruises" and injuries

i am rational in what i can and cannot do

i smile from the heart

i play my flute again and read again

i am not afraid of hard work and what it means to just buckle down and get the job done. i don't hide from my responsibilities and i take pride in what i do.

i've learned that humility is not shameful

i see beauty in the world and enjoy experiencing things with my full, open mind

i wake up hopeful and go to sleep content

Day 48

Lost 10 lbs.
Working out daily- switch between lifting one day and running the other day.
Starting to remember small things that I haven't thought about in many years.
Finally sleeping well (had a lingering cough/cold after quitting, so that didn't help).
Mood Swings/Rage nearly gone.
Appreciate small things involving my kids more.
Cravings gone.
Liver pain been gone for a while.
More motivation in work and life.
Better attitude.
Basically, I can't think of one reason why I would ever involve myself in booze again.

Day 46

my skin looks clearer
eating better and getting back into exercising on a normal routine
i'm excited about life again (like going and doing things)
I appreciate my life more
I'm starting to like what I see in the mirror

Day 34:

- 8 pounds of muscle
- Re-gained confidence
- Can look people in the eyes
- Can look in mirror again (AND smile)
- Smiling a LOT more
- actually relaxing!
- getting invited to family functions

Wow, this is really encouraging. I love hearing about the changes in people's lives.

I'd say another positive change is that I feel less isolated, more open. I've always been introverted, a little shy, and told myself that's just the way I am. It's amazing what a little social interaction can do to lift the mood and distract you from cravings.

this is the blessing i was told i would see iffen stayed sober. to hear and see others get healthier is awesome. reading the emotional and mental health gettin gooder is awesome!!

Day 6....I'M SLEEPING!!! That was what started this downward spiral. I was drinking to sleep, which I didn't realise was making me sleep worse, and then drinking even more to try to get back to the alcohol wrecked sleep I had woke up from. Now I lay down, shut my eyes, and other than a possible pee break I sleep a good solid 8 hours and wake up ready to take on the day!

Lost 15 pounds
wake up feeling refreshed
Can chit chat without worrying if every word that comes out of my mouth is wrong
Little to no anxiety
Work out regularly
Call my friends back
Pay bills now
I pick up the phone at work and call people instead of hiding behind email
I trust my decisions more and don't overreact nearly as much.

Day 10-
Feel more energetic
Sleeping better
Getting things done
Reading more

Feel pride again
Feel like I'm being a better father and husband
Lost 20 lbs
Don't wake up in the middle of the night
Don't put myself into situations I regret
Don't lie to myself or others
Reading a lot more
More empathetic

Head feels clearer
Hands don't shake when I'm writing at work
Don't have to wonder what I did last night - what happened? How did I end up in bed?
Don't feel as much shame and guilt
Don't feel like I have to "sneak" and lie

Day 23

Lost alot of weight, especially in my face
feel a hundred times calmer
i don't have a million thoughts in my head bouncing around.
soooo much more...

For me, the most pleasant change has been that moment when I first wake up in the morning well rested and guilt-free. When I was drinking, I dreaded mornings and would be a miserable wreck all day until I could sneak off for a couple pints at lunch. Now, I bound out of bed looking forward to the day. Love my mornings now!