it's Friday -- why..
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Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: New England
Posts: 604
I'm pretty sure that even if I manage to stop drinking for 3-4 weeks, or 3-4 years I'm still going to have the TGIF thought pattern after a lifetime of weekend partying. Just hoping to keep getting through it, weekend by weekend.
This Friday was harder than last Friday due to circumstances, but made it through again. I really wanted a drink tonight, but I wanted to feel good in the morning more.
It's probably different with each person how long it takes to break a habit. We've already made a start just by being here
This Friday was harder than last Friday due to circumstances, but made it through again. I really wanted a drink tonight, but I wanted to feel good in the morning more.
It's probably different with each person how long it takes to break a habit. We've already made a start just by being here
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Johnson City, TN
Posts: 66
I remember the last time my AV talked me into drinking to "reward" myself for being good all week.
Geez. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
As others have said, it's a habit (that can be broken), it's brainwashing (that can be undone) and it's your AV (that can be kicked in the crotch and told to get back in its cage)!
I enjoy nice quiet SOBER Friday nights now.
SO much better than what my AV has planned.
Geez. With friends like that, who needs enemies?
As others have said, it's a habit (that can be broken), it's brainwashing (that can be undone) and it's your AV (that can be kicked in the crotch and told to get back in its cage)!
I enjoy nice quiet SOBER Friday nights now.
SO much better than what my AV has planned.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 8,642
Anna's right. There is a lot of information out there, easily accessible, that states it takes
"21 days to break a habit." That doesn't mean it's all rainbows and puppy dogs after that though. One still must be vigilant. But I think those stats are encouraging.
Just my two cents......
"21 days to break a habit." That doesn't mean it's all rainbows and puppy dogs after that though. One still must be vigilant. But I think those stats are encouraging.
Just my two cents......
Life Goes On
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Baltimore, Maryland
Posts: 6,069
No matter how long it takes to break a habit, it starts and continues the same.
First, stop doing what you don't want to do and start doing what you do want to do.
Next, keep it up.
One day, realize it's not such a monumental task anymore!
This is something I need to internalize.
I guess it's like riding my bike up a wicked hard hill.
When I first started riding again, I just could not make it to the top. I would get halfway there and have to hop off and walk the rest of the way. One day, when I was riding with BF, he said "I don't focus on getting to the top, I just keep pedaling." Next time I rode on my own, I heard him saying "just keep pedaling" and I made it to the top! Winded, tired, but still on the seat of that bike and ready to keep on keeping on.
Just changing perspective/focus can be incredibly powerful.
Just keep pedaling.
First, stop doing what you don't want to do and start doing what you do want to do.
Next, keep it up.
One day, realize it's not such a monumental task anymore!
This is something I need to internalize.
I guess it's like riding my bike up a wicked hard hill.
When I first started riding again, I just could not make it to the top. I would get halfway there and have to hop off and walk the rest of the way. One day, when I was riding with BF, he said "I don't focus on getting to the top, I just keep pedaling." Next time I rode on my own, I heard him saying "just keep pedaling" and I made it to the top! Winded, tired, but still on the seat of that bike and ready to keep on keeping on.
Just changing perspective/focus can be incredibly powerful.
Just keep pedaling.
Self recovered Self discovered
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Toronto Canada
Posts: 5,148
Just changing perspective/focus can be incredibly powerful.
Just keep swimming.
sobriety date 5-2-12
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Midwest
Posts: 903
Weekend binger here as well...and I will have 90 days on Monday. It does get better, but I had to change what I did on the weekends. Last night had lots of triggers, but I knew not to cave, so I did some different things... It started with my husband and I going out for happy hour at a bar (they have awesome half price appetizers) and I didn't think it would be a big deal. We got there at 5 and it was full of drinking, happy, relaxing people. I hated each and every one of them!!! We left and went to eat at a non-bar place. Then I got home and my neighbor asked us to come over and sit on the deck bc it was a beautiful night. I said "no" bc I knew I would want a drink. Instead my husband and I rented a movie.
It might sound like I avoided fun last night, but I don't see it that way. I got to spend quality sober time with my husband which we needed, and I proved to myself how strong I can be and how dedicated to my recovery I am.
I will hang out on decks again. I will eat out at happy hour again. But for now I am doing what I need to do to stay sober.
My point is that changing what you do needs to be a consious decision and it can be done. Most Fridays I don't even think about drinking anymore- last night just had a double whammy.
It might sound like I avoided fun last night, but I don't see it that way. I got to spend quality sober time with my husband which we needed, and I proved to myself how strong I can be and how dedicated to my recovery I am.
I will hang out on decks again. I will eat out at happy hour again. But for now I am doing what I need to do to stay sober.
My point is that changing what you do needs to be a consious decision and it can be done. Most Fridays I don't even think about drinking anymore- last night just had a double whammy.
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