The Benefit of Progress
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Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 15
The Benefit of Progress
Yesterday was the first big social event I have been to since making the decision to stop drinking and it was a wonderful success. It was a great time with great friends and not a drop to drink. I found myself eating everything in sight, like I was a bottomless pit, but I can live with that for now.
The greatest reward was that last night, before bed, my wife shared with me how much fun she was able to have since she didn't have to worry about what condition I was going to get in. The way she beamed while talking about how nice it was not to have that constant anxiety served dual purposes. First, it put into perspective how much stress I had put on her for far too many years, and second, it encouraged me that I am gaining far more than I am giving up by choosing to not drink.
For the first time in a long while, I look to the future with hope and optimism, rather than anxiety.
The greatest reward was that last night, before bed, my wife shared with me how much fun she was able to have since she didn't have to worry about what condition I was going to get in. The way she beamed while talking about how nice it was not to have that constant anxiety served dual purposes. First, it put into perspective how much stress I had put on her for far too many years, and second, it encouraged me that I am gaining far more than I am giving up by choosing to not drink.
For the first time in a long while, I look to the future with hope and optimism, rather than anxiety.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 321
Wonderful post! I really hadn't thought about the stress on the people closest to us, especially while drinking, since I was constantly having my own pity party for so long.
Its nice to hear the good things about how being sober affects those around us for the better too. Thanks for sharing with us.
Its nice to hear the good things about how being sober affects those around us for the better too. Thanks for sharing with us.
Trudgin
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,348
Great stuff!!!
The only cautionary bit I will say is I learned from others to of course enjoy the positive nature of loved ones being happy about our sobriety, but not to align our sobriety with the rise and fall of their emotions.
I just needed to understand that it's great for my wife to be happy but how do I react when she is not? Sometimes my alcoholic brain may say, well gee she's mad at me and I'm sober?! What's the point........maybe I'll drink at her, that'll show her!
It was something I found useful to be cognizant of........
Hope and optimism indeed! Sobriety lights the path in so many way, good for you!
Thanks for sharing this - well done
The only cautionary bit I will say is I learned from others to of course enjoy the positive nature of loved ones being happy about our sobriety, but not to align our sobriety with the rise and fall of their emotions.
I just needed to understand that it's great for my wife to be happy but how do I react when she is not? Sometimes my alcoholic brain may say, well gee she's mad at me and I'm sober?! What's the point........maybe I'll drink at her, that'll show her!
It was something I found useful to be cognizant of........
Hope and optimism indeed! Sobriety lights the path in so many way, good for you!
Thanks for sharing this - well done
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