Nuudawn

Simple things make me smile; a warm wind, laughing children, starry nights, flowers, hot coffee, breakfast in a diner with a good book, the smell of barbeque....

Just finding delight in things I somehow didn't see before...things that were always there.

jutam

I notice that my perspective is more balanced, I have the ability to think things through before I react..... thankgod

I was an emotional roller coaster drinking, with no filter between my brain and mouth

ImperfectlyMe

I noticed that........ Drowning my fears, feelings, regrets, disappointments, does nothing but make them bigger than me. With sobriety glasses on I see I am so much bigger than all of them combined

13unluckyforsom

I'm with you on this one. I still react though maybe with slightly more tact or thought before hand though but it's certainly something I'm more aware of now. I've this situation that's been hanging over me for 4 weeks now and I'm just sitting with it for now. I know I need to address it but I also realise that time is needed and space and distance for me to be able to handle it the way I should. It's really hard though - its feeling so empty and it's actually gut wrenching to sit with it but I know I have to because there's too much raw emotion still. For me.

Tides

There are a lot of things, but if I had to pick one which was somewhat unexpected....

Before I quit, I swear, the world looked like it was in two dimensions... sunsets, hills, nature, life in general... it felt like I was flat against a painted canvas. Driving home from work yesterday and back in today (extra work on Saturday morning because I am behind - yuck!), I swear, I can again see the beauty in my surroundings, three-dimensional and full of color. Things finally look different again - or "normal"!

And I am not naturally a bright-side or positive guy!

jazzfish

God, people, and life stopped picking on me. I don't know why they used to bully me, but they seemed to have stopped now that I quit drinking.

EternalQ

I notice I make things much more complicated then they need to be.

13unluckyforsom

How much calmer I am - I don't feel as terrified now - and if I do I can step back and rationalise it. I love the new me.

Normand

I notice people smiling. Probably because I am not looking down so much.

13unluckyforsom

I also find happiness in more things than I ever would have before.

ZeldaFan

A renewed appreciation for nature. I got lost coming home from getting my flu shot the other day and just kept driving because the trees were so beautiful along the route I was on.

NewMe32

When my son walks through the front door after school, I am 100% present. And in his eyes, I am perfect.

NewMe32

I can actually read a book and understand it, instead of passing out and using it as a pillow...

Oceanlady

I feel more in touch with my feelings! Thinking for many years I really did not truly know me!

13unluckyforsom

That's lovely!

ovrock

I notice I am not hated as I thought I was...

DoubleDragons

I noticed my dental hygienist didn't say anything today about red wine stains on my teeth like she had noticed in the past . . .

DoubleDragons

I noticed that extended family events are actually more pleasant without me drinking alcohol. I like the conversations better and they don't turn into ugly, heated arguments as easily (or at least I don't feel the need to engage in the arguments) . . . .

EternalQ

I notice that most people are kind, not mean, like I'd thought when I drank.

Venecia

My eyes look brighter.