2 days
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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Great job winkster for getting back to your plan and goals. One thing that was causing me a lot of guilt was that as a parent, I felt that alcohol was removing me from my family. I would drink wine and hang out but it would disconnect me from really consciously, actively participating in play with my kiddo, which kiddo needs and wants. I would do it, but I wasn't 100% connected all the time. I felt I was coming up short and could do better. Even just thinking about that now makes me feel awful. I work hard and have a happy and healthy child who gets lots of affection and attention BUT I can and will do better.
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Day 5 and physically I feel great. I woke up today with so much energy, no nausea, less liver pain (though it's still there it's not as acute), no depression, and a feeling of hope.
The most shocking thing to me is the lack of nausea and fatigue I feel this morning. It's remarkable.
The most shocking thing to me is the lack of nausea and fatigue I feel this morning. It's remarkable.
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Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,554
Hi Renarde. I am on day 1, but have been here before. My drinking is similar to yours and my feelings too. That I am not being my best self for my family. I actually usually do finish the bottle of wine if I open it. I stopped buying boxes a couple of years ago, when I got 4-5 months sober. I know I will drink past 3-4 glasses with a box, or I pour them too big, etc...
But I do feel like sometimes I just drink out of boredom, or just because it is there. It is a bit of an itch, like for that first cup of coffee in the morning, but hits me in the evening.
I also want to feel better and be more present for my kids. I could be is much more attentive and fun for them if I felt better.
Congrats on 5 days! Glad you have energy on this nice holiday weekend. What a good thing. I hope to have that tomorrow. Today I am a little tired.
But I do feel like sometimes I just drink out of boredom, or just because it is there. It is a bit of an itch, like for that first cup of coffee in the morning, but hits me in the evening.
I also want to feel better and be more present for my kids. I could be is much more attentive and fun for them if I felt better.
Congrats on 5 days! Glad you have energy on this nice holiday weekend. What a good thing. I hope to have that tomorrow. Today I am a little tired.
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Glad to see you here Rochele! I think a lot of people drink just out of habit. I was trying to remember when, like 10-15 years ago, I didn't drink every day, or even on weeknights. That seems so weird to me now. My norm these days has been to drink from like 5-8 or 9 every day and then crash. It took me a few days without it to feel good. I hope you get that energy soon. I have also thought a lot about how if I quit drinking I could really reach my potential.
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 105
Originally Posted by Renarde 
Day 5 and physically I feel great. I woke up today with so much energy, no nausea, less liver pain (though it's still there it's not as acute), no depression, and a feeling of hope.
The most shocking thing to me is the lack of nausea and fatigue I feel this morning. It's remarkable.
The most shocking thing to me is the lack of nausea and fatigue I feel this morning. It's remarkable.
Congrats on your progress, stopping is the hardest part, staying that way is going to be hard also but you can do it.
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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Just a quick update.
I have 14 days down and I feel amazing. If I can do 2 weeks, so can anyone else. For anyone new reading this, please have faith in yourself and get support. It only took 2 weeks for me to feel dramatically different. I feel good physically and I am very hopeful about the future.
I have 14 days down and I feel amazing. If I can do 2 weeks, so can anyone else. For anyone new reading this, please have faith in yourself and get support. It only took 2 weeks for me to feel dramatically different. I feel good physically and I am very hopeful about the future.
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 10
I am on day 2, and this thread helped me start my journey again. I couldn't wait to get to here, so now that I am hear I hope to get to 14 as well.
Today is a clean slate. What happened yesterday is gone, what happens today depends on me.
Today is a clean slate. What happened yesterday is gone, what happens today depends on me.
Breaking Thru
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: SW Pennsylvania
Posts: 1,219
Originally Posted by Renarde
Just a quick update.
For anyone new reading this, please have faith in yourself and get support.
For anyone new reading this, please have faith in yourself and get support.
Inspirational
Stopthecycle : Congratulations
Tr
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Originally Posted by Stopthecycle
I am on day 2, and this thread helped me start my journey again. I couldn't wait to get to here, so now that I am hear I hope to get to 14 as well.
Today is a clean slate. What happened yesterday is gone, what happens today depends on me.
Today is a clean slate. What happened yesterday is gone, what happens today depends on me.
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Join Date: Aug 2013
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Just updating in case it motivates anyone who might be thinking about trying.
I now have 21 days sober. I feel fantastic. My life feels less chaotic and I actually feel more in control. My relationships are better, I get better sleep, have more energy, and look better. I lost 6 lbs in the first week and kept it off with no effort. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don't have guilt or anxiety anymore. I feel like an honest, good person who is trying hard to do their best. This is all I could ask for!
Like I said earlier, if I can do this, anyone can. Life feels really good with 21 days.
I now have 21 days sober. I feel fantastic. My life feels less chaotic and I actually feel more in control. My relationships are better, I get better sleep, have more energy, and look better. I lost 6 lbs in the first week and kept it off with no effort. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I don't have guilt or anxiety anymore. I feel like an honest, good person who is trying hard to do their best. This is all I could ask for!
Like I said earlier, if I can do this, anyone can. Life feels really good with 21 days.
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
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Wow..congrats on 3 weeks of sobriety! It just gets better as you sink deeper into your own skin and realize you didn't need that crap after all : )
I used to wait out each and every day at work..just to get home and uncork that wine. I felt like that was when my "real" life started..like that was when I "turned on the lights" of my day.
Weird thing is..I now compare sobriety to turning on the light. It feels so strange to just notice things like a warm wind or the smell of cinnamon buns or the sound of a child's laughter and for it to make you ...smile....and feel good. When I was drinking, I would have rolled my eyes at anyone who made a statement like that (followed by a sarcastic remark.."what's she on?).
It's not all peachy-keen 24-7, but that's just life.
I used to wait out each and every day at work..just to get home and uncork that wine. I felt like that was when my "real" life started..like that was when I "turned on the lights" of my day.
Weird thing is..I now compare sobriety to turning on the light. It feels so strange to just notice things like a warm wind or the smell of cinnamon buns or the sound of a child's laughter and for it to make you ...smile....and feel good. When I was drinking, I would have rolled my eyes at anyone who made a statement like that (followed by a sarcastic remark.."what's she on?).
It's not all peachy-keen 24-7, but that's just life.
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Originally Posted by Nuudawn
Wow..congrats on 3 weeks of sobriety! It just gets better as you sink deeper into your own skin and realize you didn't need that crap after all : )
I used to wait out each and every day at work..just to get home and uncork that wine. I felt like that was when my "real" life started..like that was when I "turned on the lights" of my day.
Weird thing is..I now compare sobriety to turning on the light. It feels so strange to just notice things like a warm wind or the smell of cinnamon buns or the sound of a child's laughter and for it to make you ...smile....and feel good. When I was drinking, I would have rolled my eyes at anyone who made a statement like that (followed by a sarcastic remark.."what's she on?).
It's not all peachy-keen 24-7, but that's just life.
I used to wait out each and every day at work..just to get home and uncork that wine. I felt like that was when my "real" life started..like that was when I "turned on the lights" of my day.
Weird thing is..I now compare sobriety to turning on the light. It feels so strange to just notice things like a warm wind or the smell of cinnamon buns or the sound of a child's laughter and for it to make you ...smile....and feel good. When I was drinking, I would have rolled my eyes at anyone who made a statement like that (followed by a sarcastic remark.."what's she on?).
It's not all peachy-keen 24-7, but that's just life.
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Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 10
Great job on 21 days Renarde! I did have a slip on Saturday that I am not happy about. On the good side Friday was great. Had dinner at sports bar with the family (no drinks), then a late movie with my boy (I remember the whole movie). Then Sunday NY Giants football game. Not a single drink the whole day. This is actually historic for me. My biggest drinking days are Sunday's during football season. Usually starts at 12:30 until I pass out around 10:00. I feel great today, and I am ready to keep feeling better. Thanks for the update!
Saved by Grace
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YUKON,OK
Posts: 115
Keep up the good fight. I'm on day seven and it just keeps getting better. My bride even said I was "nice" and a "pleasure to be around".
Dono
Dono
Originally Posted by Renarde
Wow, thank you all so much for the encouragement! It really means a lot to me.
I am amazed by how much better I feel in the mornings. Half a bottle of wine or more every night will make you feel like crap. Recently my spouse was out of town and I drank an entire bottle in one night. That was a wakeup call. Normal people don't do that. I felt bad the next day, but that night I went out with a friend and had 3 margaritas and a beer. It didn't even effect me that much - my tolerance is increasing, but I still had a mean hangover the next day. Too much. Yuck.
Lately with my drinking I've been feeling so bored with it, like, I really don't feel like doing this but....it's what I always do, so pour another, I suppose. It feels good to break up that monotony, like winkster said.
It's nice to sleep well - drinking always seems to make me wake up around 1 am and toss and turn in a weird half asleep half awake state for hours. I haven't missed that the last two nights.
It's nice to be hydrated. It's nice to know I've taken 2.5 days and treated my body well.
I have moved through a really tough and troubling period in my life (related to circumstances beyond my control) and I am feeling confident and happy with my family, career, goals, etc. I have been feeling like I want to pull away from alcohol...I don't need a crutch anymore. I have been moving into a new phase of life where I am feeling more secure, confident, and ok with myself. Aging is not all bad.
Nice work everyone else who is hanging on through the first few days!
I am amazed by how much better I feel in the mornings. Half a bottle of wine or more every night will make you feel like crap. Recently my spouse was out of town and I drank an entire bottle in one night. That was a wakeup call. Normal people don't do that. I felt bad the next day, but that night I went out with a friend and had 3 margaritas and a beer. It didn't even effect me that much - my tolerance is increasing, but I still had a mean hangover the next day. Too much. Yuck.
Lately with my drinking I've been feeling so bored with it, like, I really don't feel like doing this but....it's what I always do, so pour another, I suppose. It feels good to break up that monotony, like winkster said.
It's nice to sleep well - drinking always seems to make me wake up around 1 am and toss and turn in a weird half asleep half awake state for hours. I haven't missed that the last two nights.
It's nice to be hydrated. It's nice to know I've taken 2.5 days and treated my body well.
I have moved through a really tough and troubling period in my life (related to circumstances beyond my control) and I am feeling confident and happy with my family, career, goals, etc. I have been feeling like I want to pull away from alcohol...I don't need a crutch anymore. I have been moving into a new phase of life where I am feeling more secure, confident, and ok with myself. Aging is not all bad.
Nice work everyone else who is hanging on through the first few days!
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Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Canada
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Originally Posted by Renarde
Life is about genuine experience - good and bad. i was checking-out and dulling my experience and that is a dishonest and wasteful way to live and it made me have no respect for myself.
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