wehav2day

A lot of us are suffering, I'm sorry for that. I wish each and every one of us alkies and addicts a bright, wonderful future. Some of the gifts of sobriety are short term, like "I don't have a hangover today!" Some are more long term, like "holy crap, I'm so busy doing fun things how on earth did I have the time to do my job and drink two years ago?!"

For newcomers and sober vets alike, let's list a few things we appreciate about sobriety! Mine are pretty boring, but cherished nevertheless. Here goes: [LIST]
[/LIS
T]tonight is clean sheet night! I will go to bed with a showered body in clean jammies, on clean sheets. With a hot water bottle. (Self care I never did drunk)

My chronic back pain has vanished because after one year sober, i got up the nerve to try yoga. And I love it.

I cook mostly healthy meals

My doctor told me I have a beautiful liver. Seriously, she called it beautiful. I can't make this stuff up.

Oh yeah, no hangovers...

So what are your favorite things about being sober today?

:

matilda123

• sleep like a dream
• anxiety has lessened significantly
• things don't get under my skin like they used to
• I take better care of myself mentally as well as physically
• I feel joyful: sometimes I find myself smiling for no reason
• I'm now incredibly productive at work, but not frantic. I work at a brisk, efficient pace and get a lot done without feeling rushed. (Working without a hangover is wonderful)!

Coldfusion

I like having the AA Promises come true:

1. If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through.

2. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness.

3. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it.

4. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.

5. No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.

6. That feeling of uselessness and self-pity will disappear.

7. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows.

8. Self-seeking will slip away.

9. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change.

10. Fear of people and of economic insecurity will leave us.

11. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.

12. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves.

wehav2day

I love the promises, thanks! #6 probably saved my life. #11 seemed far fetched when I started, there was so much I was fearful of and thought would never right itself: finances, relationships, you name it. But instead of perpetually baffled, I'm only mildly befuddled...

ubntubnt

beautiful liver? huh? Did you offer him/her a piece?

Frixion

Only on day 1, but what I appreciate about being sober is:

- I will not blackout from drinking and wake up in a scary place today nor in my future
- I don't have to feel ostracized anymore, because I now have AA
- A weight is off my shoulders now, because I feel that I am more in control of my life

DoPerdition

-I will wake up refreshed and without a headache or nausea.
-I will be able to play with my son all day instead of stopping in the afternoon or going out to a bar or two.
-I can look forward to a holiday season that I will remember and enjoy far more because I am clear-headed, sober and having positive interactions with my loved one.

Lance40

I look forward to having a good night's sleep and a leisure morning coffee at home before a relaxed walk to work instead of a short passed out sleep before waking at 2am to restlessly catch snatches of sleep and watch the clock and dread the hung over day at work just a few hours ahead.

Marcher13

Many of the things mentioned are also on my list but I'd particularly mention:

1) My health. I was 57 when I got sober, I'll be 60 this year and I look and feel at least 10 years younger. My blood pressure medication has been reduced to practically nothing.

2) The peace. So much of the drama was in my own head when I was drinking or brought on by my drinking. It's usually quite tranquil in my head now -- even when things go wrong.

3) My brain works again. I can think clearly, I assess situations instead of instinctively reacting, I achieve more in a normal day than I did in a week when drinking.

The term "functional alcoholic" -- which I used about myself -- is a misnomer. All it means is a person who can get up and go out to a job, it doesn't mention their hangover, state of health, productivity or anything else.

Verte

wehav2day - clean sheets are simply wonderful.


* Was fascinated while driving from A to B by an author speaking of her new book on the radio. Before the workday was through, I found a copy at my local book shop and now have a great new read.

* Holiday lights were strung along a fence so there will be at least one month of nightly multi-colored bliss for my family and the locals to enjoy.

* While stringing the above lights I stepped in dog poop with my new walking boot on one foot and my shoe on the other. Discovered and cleaned the poop off the boot and out of the treads right away instead of leaving it for later. Done!

* Ben & Jerry's 'Americone Dream' while reading SR.

* Being present in my life and throughout my day. No fanfare. No hoopla. No hullabaloo. Just tired. And I have clean sheets as well. I'm a percale gal. Love the crispy percale.


It was a good day made possible by sobriety. Thank you for this Thread, wehav2day. It's nice to reflect.

trachemys

My friends here are doing amazingly well and it makes me very happy.
My life is coming together again.
Today is better.

ubntubnt

On day 18 here. Having lots of kinda surreal moments being sober. It feels a little weird to wake up with a clean head day after day.
Walking into work each day not wondering if anyone can smell drink off me or see my bloodshot half closed eyes.
I was in my hotel room yesterday afternoon at 4pm and I thought....I hope my boss doesn't call for a face to face meeting because I am drinking.....then thought, hang on I am not drinking, cool!
Able to answer the phone when it rings because I am not slurring my words.
Not waking up each morning trying to remember if I sent any inappropriate messages....then vaguely remembering one and being afraid to check it for the rest of the day

Notimetoloose

I love your post..thank you....better all around...even bad is better.!!

forabetterlife

So many great positives here, thank you! The only think I would add is the ability to handle and even solve problems. Whether it's a late bill or a relationship issue or a something with my children, sober me can process the problem as either try to find solutions or simply accept it for what is is for now. Drinking/hungover me either ignores/denies problems until they become much worse or I overdramatize them, stress over them (without doing anything about it) and ultimately drink to escape them. It's never ceases to amaze me how a problem that I felt debilitated over either drunk or hungover... After a few sober days becomes something I can handle, accept and maybe even solve.
Along with all the other gifts you have mentioned of sobriety, it just proves that drinking just isn't worth it anymore.

nmd

I can make it through a day wide awake and without falling asleep.

I am present in mind and can really enjoy time with my children. I think they see the difference too.

I don't live in fear of my next drunken episode.

Soberwolf

Being sober is so awesome you could offer me £1 Billion to drink and id refuse point blank

thats what it means to me its invaluable

Happy sober wednsday folks

wehav2day

Aweseome posts!!

Well, I just woke up. Yep, no hangover, no shakes, no dry heaves.

My coffee will taste great

My toothbrush won't make me gag

I do my yoga instead of staying in bed

My breakfast will taste great, I won't skip it because I'm hungry first thing in the morning now...

Have a sober day, folks!

Soberwolf

Awesome wehavtoday

Enjoy your day friend

wehav2day

You too, soberwolf.

workforit

Matilda,
This! Thanks for phrasing so beautifully.