6 Week Reflection!
 

Well, reached the 6 week milestone today and feeling pretty pleased with myself. As I sit here and reflect on the past 6 weeks I sense a state of calmness in myself and much less anxiety than I ever had when I was drinking.

Like most of you, I've had numerous failed sobriety attempts before but I vowed this time would be my last and tried to prepare myself for all the 'pitfalls' that lie ahead which on previous attempts I've failed to avoid. They are numerous and can present themselves at any time and it only takes a weak moment and 'bang' you're back drinking again, sometimes for months before you find the courage to try another attempt at sobriety.

If I had to choose one of these 'dangers' above all others that I find the most difficult to avoid it would have to be....... instant gratification. I like the feeling of just getting things done, I tend to be impulsive and impatient and when it came to alcohol, I loved the way it could instantly make me forget any problems I had, irrespective of the consequences.

How can I get 'instant gratification' from something that is going to take the rest of my life to achieve? The answer is to stop looking for it. I have now come to understand that sobriety is more than just giving up drinking and need to change many aspects in my life. Alcolholism is progressive, but so is sobriety. Over the past 6 weeks I have felt less anxious, I am much more patient with my children/wife, I am more productive, I have a more positive outlook and I'm learning the joys of living life sober. Progress is the new 'instant gratification'.

Alcohol is still on my mind on a daily basis, but that's OK because I have 'tools' to deal with it. If I can see this much progress in 6 weeks I can only imagine what it must be like to have 6 months behind me!

Thanks SR

Julynine

:thanks

I love it ^^ :) Great post JulyNine, and well done on 6 weeks! :a122:

That is awesome my friend. One day at a time.

Congrats on six weeks sober! :You_Rock_

Thanks for the nice post and reflections on a sober life.

Thank you for your encouraging post :)

Love your post- my screen name relates to that issue. We live in the moment. In time the driven mental activity and thinking about alcohol/recovery settles down. It does take time.

I am 15 months and I am still improving.

Congratultions on your milestone. I can really relate to the things you mention, instant grtification and the pitfalls of trying to live sober. I'm starting my sobriety now and I would be very grateful if you any pointers - how to avoid the pitfalls or how to train yourself to be happier sober and how to push yourself for more positive outlook. I try to be positive all the time and I want to be a better person, it's just hard being consistent with that idea.

Jack

I want to be where you are. My wife and daughter are out of town this weekend and I drank. I sit here this morning hungover and depressed. Last weekend I didn't drink and it felt so good to wake up Sunday feeling refreshed. Congrats to you and I hope I can make it to that point.

I can relate. That morning after, that's the most powerful thing to remember. The regret and the unhappiness. It's hard but if we can remember that feeling before we pick up the drink, we win. I wish you all the best in your recovery.

This is such a great post, Julynine.

Thanks for sharing.

Well done!

For those of us who have less sober time under our belts, looking back over the past 6 weeks, when did you struggle the most and why?

Again, congrats, and keep adding those days and weeks!

Very insightful post! Well done Julynine!!

Thankyou for sharing, and congratulations x

thanks for the post.

julynine ,
you're an inspiration . :You_Rock_

I find driving in the rush hours in london a good way of testing my tollerance and patience when confronted by some frankly mad, pushy and agressive people. It's also a good way of practaicing the letting go of resentments and starting afresh as soon as i go through my front door .

Bestwishes, M

Thank You for the inspiration. This post was very thought provoking. Sobriety is progressive. GOOD JOB!

Awesome Julynine!:c029:
Being sober & having gratitude, self love & compassion for the suffering of others & myself has changed my life.

May your journey be a good one, keep on sharing your story :ring

Well done on 6 weeks! :c032:

Congats July9,
A very insightful post. With self awareness like that you would will be very unlikely to pick up IMHO.
Early in sobriety I was very afraid of picking up again for the very same reasons as yourself I wondered if I could get back up on the wagon again.

I use AA and SR to stay sober.

Love
CaiHong