What do you reward your sober self?
Its crazy I haven't eaten fast food since I stopped drinking... Ive been cooking in my kitchen and clearing out my fridge with fresh ingredients. Guess It cut too much into my drinking time for me realize how much better I feel knowing what I put in my food More money for the farmers market !
Drinking used to be my reward too.
I found when I started investing in self care that I didn't need 'rewards' nearly so often. I became simple happy.
In the beginning though, a San Pellegrino to relax or a latte to pep me up, helped me get through the day.
I found when I started investing in self care that I didn't need 'rewards' nearly so often. I became simple happy.
In the beginning though, a San Pellegrino to relax or a latte to pep me up, helped me get through the day.
I reward myself with concerts, movies, clothes and traveling with the $400-500 I save every month from not buying alcohol.
I don't even earn that much money but I have some extra now. I am even thinking if buying a house now and taking on a mortgage. To think I was spending 30% of a mortgage payment on alcohol and hangovers is astounding to me.
I don't even earn that much money but I have some extra now. I am even thinking if buying a house now and taking on a mortgage. To think I was spending 30% of a mortgage payment on alcohol and hangovers is astounding to me.
I go exploring! I take a few hours and go someplace new, walk around, maybe get a coffee or an ice cream while I'm there, or a new book to read outside somewhere... It's so lovely. It makes me happy and it reminds me of all the things I'd be missing if I went back to drinking.
I never even thought about the concept of a reward or rewards. I think it's a good idea although I guess I feel I shouldn't need a reward. I feel good when people say good job the longer I abstain but I don't feel I really deserve it as I'm not having trouble with craving alcohol (not much anyway) and I knew it was never a good thing to start anyway.
But I know that's just me being me and every day I don't drink is actually a major accomplishment. It's hard being me and it's hard not being me....
But I know that's just me being me and every day I don't drink is actually a major accomplishment. It's hard being me and it's hard not being me....
Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: CO, USA
Posts: 145
What a great thread!
I've been on a blood orange Pellegrino kick lately. So good.
As with others, I treat myself to good food too. Plus just all the little things that I wouldn't have done when drinking. For example, I just hiked the mountain behind where I live to watch the lunar eclipse. I never would have done that before.
As with others, I treat myself to good food too. Plus just all the little things that I wouldn't have done when drinking. For example, I just hiked the mountain behind where I live to watch the lunar eclipse. I never would have done that before.
So tru, sometimes the reward is just being sober and self confidence in staying so... but think about all that money wasted on alcohol.. you gotta be able to use it for something for yourself or others . Great posts, really eye opening and inspiring. 8 days sober now, didn't drink one drop this weekend. First in years..
Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 20
Congratulations on the 8
Hello Dru,
With my extra money saved from no alcohol I do the three following things: 1/3 given to charity (Gratitude), 1/3 save/invest (bank, stocks, or bonds), 1/3 spend (buy a book, see a movie, or hit a Mexican restaurant for a good meal). Stay sober and strong and reward yourself for staying that way. Keep the faith.
With my extra money saved from no alcohol I do the three following things: 1/3 given to charity (Gratitude), 1/3 save/invest (bank, stocks, or bonds), 1/3 spend (buy a book, see a movie, or hit a Mexican restaurant for a good meal). Stay sober and strong and reward yourself for staying that way. Keep the faith.
To begin with, I was really into rewards. For example, if I could quit smoking for a few days I'd buy perfume and expensive face cream (I'm a man: LOL!) But now being able to breath easy is a big reward in itself. In terms of drinking, exercise is a massive new reward which I had no idea I would enjoy before.
I know this sounds sappy, but my reward is I get to live life on my terms. My reward is knowing that I am being a good dad to my kids. They don't have to suffer for my problems and choices.
I don't have to plan every waking moment around drinking. I don't limit outings with my kids anymore because I'm drinking. Morning or night, I can now do what I want, when I want and know I'll be doing it sober.
Life is not always filled with great moments, but I know even a low day is way better now that I'm sober than a good day was when I was drinking.
I don't have to plan every waking moment around drinking. I don't limit outings with my kids anymore because I'm drinking. Morning or night, I can now do what I want, when I want and know I'll be doing it sober.
Life is not always filled with great moments, but I know even a low day is way better now that I'm sober than a good day was when I was drinking.
I agree with Ccam! The real rewards at the one we mark as "priceless"...Great thinking and insight!
But if I need a reward of the material world kind a slushy of some kind, ice cream of my liking, or a nice dinner out with my hubby, family, and or friends!
But if I need a reward of the material world kind a slushy of some kind, ice cream of my liking, or a nice dinner out with my hubby, family, and or friends!
When I had my first run of sobriety, I upgraded a good chunk of my wardrobe including pants, shirts and shoes. Now that I'm back on solid ground again, I'm due to replace some of those items so it may be time to get some new shoes.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: QLD
Posts: 173
I buy books, so many books! I used to feel really bad spending $5 on myself by buying a book on Ibooks on my phone.....the thought that I was spending around $18 a day on wine never entered my head, that was just a necessity (crazy right).
So now, I buy whatever book I want, I bought one just yesterday for $11.99! Something I would NEVER have done before!
So now, I buy whatever book I want, I bought one just yesterday for $11.99! Something I would NEVER have done before!
Crazy to think about how we just didn't care about the cost of the booze. I used to get upset when gas would go up 20 cents a gallon but had no problem dropping $50-$70 a week on alcohol.
I buy books, so many books! I used to feel really bad spending $5 on myself by buying a book on Ibooks on my phone.....the thought that I was spending around $18 a day on wine never entered my head, that was just a necessity (crazy right).
So now, I buy whatever book I want, I bought one just yesterday for $11.99! Something I would NEVER have done before!
So now, I buy whatever book I want, I bought one just yesterday for $11.99! Something I would NEVER have done before!
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