happyandfree

So I had a friend over tonight. I told her she could bring some beer for herself and she said she was cutting down on her drinking . Which was very supportive of her. She is a good friend. So we were sitting on my patio, drinking cranberry juice and having a good visit and had some apple crisp I had made. But I couldn't help thinking how much fun we used to have when we drank a couple of bottles of wine. We would babble and solve all the world's problems. It was fun. It's just different now. I am so thankful that I won't have a hangover tomorrow. And there will be nothing to be embarrassed about and I did nothing dangerous or risky. I will have a great day tomorrow - feeling good about myself. Not hating myself. Not sick in bed. It's just different now...certainly more real....but it takes some getting used to. Thanks for listening.

Soberwolf

Thank you

Pondlady

It does take some getting used to. I used to think I'd never laugh as hard as I did when I was drinking...but I was wrong. Now you've got me thinking about apple crisp - yum

resolute50

Yes, it does take some getting used to. What seemed like fun was really mostly an illusion. It's hard to learn how to have sober yet sporadic fun again....like children have. But, it can be done.

Alynn

I know what you mean.

I can do all things through he who strengthens me

FreeOwl

yeah.... I get that.

give it time.

Over time, what developed for me was a realization that I had never actually solved the world's problems. That those conversations I had over bottles just floated on into the ether and left me nowhere further to solving ANY problem - the world's or my own.

And then, I began to see that the conversations I had over cranberry juice and apple crisp were far, far more special. More rare and more meaningful.

Sure, sometimes there's still the nostalgic thought or feeling that arises to try and engender a belief that this different life somehow means I'm missing out.... but when I really look at it, I realize how hollow all that "fun" fueled by booze was.

This different life is a special one. This different life, is a life that allows us to live... LIFE.

happyandfree

Thanks everyone-and am I ever full of gratitude this morning to wake up without a hangover with a fun day ahead of me. I can make this adjustment. ...it is so worth it. It's different-but GOOD different. No need to miss those sloppy, ugly days that you don't even remember the next day. life is better sober.

HeartsAfire

Thank you for this, Owl. I love it! This is a great thing to remember when tempted.

Life is infinitely more fun sober & present - in ways I never could have imagined while drunk.

luvmygirls

Thank you for posting this. I have a friend (fairly new, maybe a year or so) and we bonded over wine and a shared sense of humor. I'm really hopeful that we will be just as "hilarious" (in our own minds, ha!) when I hang out with her sober. You've given me a sense that it may be possible.

Mountainmanbob

As I look back to my life of drinking and then to my sober life today, I will take the #2 above.

MM

MavisTheFairy13

I worry about socialising without alcohol. I don't go out much as I have a son with special needs but when I do I have always felt the need to drink to relax and feel comfortable and have a good time. No nights out planned now until xmas party for special needs parents in December and I must admit I'm a bit anxious already about how the night will go with being probably the only person not drinking. Hopefully it will still be a fun night....husband will be drinking and I will be driving