SophieB

That says it!!! When you are in recovery you whole life is in recovery

EternalQ

One thing that really surprised me is: sobriety is like a cleaning solvent or a light that slowly cleans and makes visible the deepest corners of my life.

melissa6381

Eternal- I'm not sure if you are aware of this but you are a very talented writer

EternalQ

One thing that really surprised me about recovery is that before quitting I thought I knew myself.
But I didnt.

Seiceps

that i have the opportunity to give, rather than take from people. Its feels amazing.

CrossFox

That my drug of choice, alcohol, is like a scared and abusive partner:



You're ugly

You're stupid

You can't live without me

I'm your only friend

You're nothing without me

I'll make your life better

No one cares about you, except me

There's nothing wrong with me, it's all you

Look - they don't think anything is wrong with me, it's all you

You don't deserve better

There is nothing better

Life is better with me

You'll be back


I kicked it out like the abuser that it is, because it turns out that alcohol is also a liar.

Seiceps

That I have my voice back. I'm chattering away , turning over big ideas with people like I used to. I thought I talked a lot when I was drunk , I did but it was all rubbish , it wasn't really me. Now what I'm saying means something.

Ptcapote

I am present. Really and truly present. Probably for the first time in many years.

I am actually listening to what people say instead of paying attention over the non-stop recording in my head asking when/where we're going to get another drink.

Amazing how much you get the first time around if you're actually present and paying attention. Only two weeks in to my journey but that has been a big one.

(p.s. Thanks EQ for these lists. I was feeling pretty crappy last week and found this and spent about two hours reading and re-reading this thread until I was laughing and crying. What a wonderful gift you're giving to all of us---especially us scaredy-cat newbies who have wavering hope---with these posts. So grateful!)

Mvngon

One thing that really surprised me about recovery is_____ it is challenging! I guess that I believed that once the physical withdrawals had passed, everything else would fall into place. It is hard work!!! So happy to be where I am though.

PreciousKitty

That this disease is a blessing in disguise. And there are so many miracles on the lifetime road of recovery.

Siesta

That my confidence level is soaring with a clear head. Used to think I needed to drink to be confident, but I'm more confident without the cloudy head.

elp19744

I'm also suprised by how much better I feel, however I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. It feels almost too good and too simple a sollution to my problems.

Eddie2010

I thought alcohol helped my mood swings, but now I realize I barely have them anymore.

karilynn27

That it was possible

Grace2

That I feel so at peace with myself.

Saskia

That I am who I am because of (not in spite of) the sum total of all that has happened in my life -- not just the good things, but the bad ones, too. I have developed strength, some patience; I have learned to be less judgmental and more loving and so many, many other values.

Grace2

I am so much more productive, more organised, more help to others.

EternalQ

How bad off I really was when drinking....
and how much drinking shielded me from knowing it.... : (

karilynn27

That I can feel these feelings both good and bad and I can make it one more day

EternalQ

That continuing with sobriety is a guarantee that personal growth willl keep happening.