I thought I was “special?”
 

I think this is the right forum for this, and I am a newbie with newbie ideas.

From 12 stupid Things that Mess up Recovery,

Stupid thing 5: “Feeling special and unique. Humility is the spiritual foundation of recovery. In order to feel worthy, we do not need to be unique. People who do best in recovery are those who surrender and follow suggestions.”

I find that very helpful. I know that one of the things that causes me to be disconnected from my recovery is when I feel “unique.” and “special.” I am humbled and glad that I was proven completely wrong in my thinking on that.

For example, I thought that my anxiety was so bad in certain situations that I had to drink to control it, and that nothing else would work. I gave myself a pass on drinking in that situation (I had to drink). People told me that it would get better if I quit drinking, but I was a “special” case. I did get a lot less anxious when I stopped drinking, BTY. That is just one example out of many. Even though I am a stubborn lady/knucklehead, I am learning to stop the excuses, surrender, and give suggestions a honest effort. Gettin' over myself- Ha!

always good to read the progress yer makin. keep it up!!!

TY Tom, I never thought I would be workin' the 12 steps. TY for the suggestion! *winks*

I mean the 12 steps in AA that is. The 12 stupid things are a good ad on to recovery

Good reminder. We are all unique, just like everyone else!

I think most of us felt special MC...and we are LOL...but when our uniqueness keeps us in a bad situation, it's a problem :)

D

Awesome :)

I never thought I would be in AA , let alone working the step either. Couldnt be more content now that I have fully surrurenderd and look forward to just being able to make it to the 13th step(the orgianl meaning not what it has become ;) ). Not in a hurry for it that for sure, but sure beats living eternity with a hangover. :)

Stay on the Beam.

"But, you don't understand"

"I'm not like them"

"It's not like that"

"I'm special!"

Yeah, some things I've heard many alkies say, including me!!!

Great post MC, that feeling kept me drinking for a long time. Grateful for the humble surrender and the peace it's brought!

Thanks for sharing.

I relate to this so much. I think I only realise that I do now (now that I'm over it) because before I would have read this and thought THEY STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND. I've accepted that the things I experience and feel are things that millions experience and feel, and I've realised since sober that absolutely nothing is unchangeable... I am in control, not 'fate' - if I feel unique in some negative way, like I'm hard done by because I'm anxious or stressed and NOBODY UNDERSTANDS, I remind myself that I'm the one getting myself into that situation and I'm the one who is going to get myself out of it... taking responsibility for feelings/actions/situations has come hand in hand with sobriety. I no longer feel helpless over 'unique' traits... I overcome them.

(PS - what it is with us alcoholics and stubbornness?! I'm still working on that one!)

Excellent post MetalChick :)

Whenever I get those feelings of 'but no one is like me' I remind myself that it is those exact thoughts that stopped me getting help and isolated me. Once I accepted that no, actually lots of people have this problem and recover from it everyday, it stops me feeling like I'm the centre of the universe ;) x

http://smileys.smilchat.net/smiley/h...vil-jocker.gif I'm just little ole me. Whatever the heck that is http://smileys.smilchat.net/smiley/f...mosterblue.gif ...LOL.

In Zencat's case, he is special. I mean that in a sweet way :)

Wow, I totally know what you mean about the anxiety thing being kind of a "free pass". I also have pretty severe anxiety, and I've been guilty many times of using that as my excuse to drink. How could anyone argue with that, right? Ha!

"Terminally Unique" was my thing. But gettin sober ruined a perfectly good case of depression and anxiety. Great work. :a122: