Lance40 | 04-25-2015 04:09 PM | 167 days sober After I passed the 120 day mark I decided not to post anymore about how long I've been sober because I've been learning to celebrate my own successes, but lately it seems like it's been one of those periodic cycles in SR where there have been some relapses. They always make me feel sad, but it's also encouraging when people come back and pick themselves up. I had a LOT of Day 1 moments before I got the hang of this, so perseverance is key even when it feels so frustrating and hopeless.
167 days isn't very long in the grand scheme of things, but life certainly can change a lot in a short period of time. I can say that I have taken sobriety very seriously and made several major lifestyle changes that were very hard to accept. I've had to mourn the loss of a certain romanticized idea of the life I gave up. It hasn't always been easy but it's really quite amazing how adaptable we as humans are.
I think one of the most important things for me has been a growing understanding that sobriety transcends thoughts, feelings and perceptions. As you let go of questions, feelings, and trying to apply labels or figure out just what your problem is, you can embrace sobriety as a simple, unwavering statement of "I don't drink alcohol". That's it; full stop. How you feel on any given day, how you might be craving or thinking it wouldn't be so bad to have a drink or perhaps even questioning if you ever had a problem - let the AV do what it's going to do because no matter what "I don't drink alcohol".
I believe lasting sobriety is based on this simple commitment. Everything that we do no matter whether it's SR, AA, AVRT, counselling, religion, etc. should be a means to the end "I do not drink alcohol".
Best wishes to all. Every one of us can do this. |