Glad it's over! Am I the only one?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 321
Glad it's over! Am I the only one?
Ugh, I admit, I've never been a big fan of Christmas. Though I believe in God, not real religious so celebrating for that reason has never been the reason for the season for me. I'm not wealthy girl, never have been but do okay for myself and family ("Help me, I'm poor"....Bridesmaids!). But never one to save for and spend big for the best Christmas presents. Since I was a child, Christmas has seemed to lack something for me in some way.
Truth be told, I actually suck at Christmas. I hate shopping and the crowds, the non-stop music gets on my last nerve and maybe I'm a little jelly of my wealthier friends who have the great big trees, 100's of presents under them, party after party they attend in their beautiful dresses and pictures of how much fun their having.
This year I trudged through again, but sober. It was much easier to handle mentally sober I admit! The "pings" of resentment and sadness seemed to quickly disappear as fast as they came. I had my regular Christmas Eve dinner, the family came over....it went pretty well all things considered.
Getting prepared for the dinner, cleaning the house and getting the house decorated for the dinner....in the years past, left me drunk, stressed to the point of tears, and sleepless. This year, MY GOD it was so much easier sober. I did have a thought one evening that "a glass" of wine would be awesome, but didn't falter.
Now, looking back over the last week.....what a blessing being and staying sober is. I've blamed alcohol for many things (and it deserves it!), but never really saw a direct path of how stressed and confused it made me when trying to get things done like a normal person.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'm up around 135-140 days sober now and can't wait to see what a sober 2016 brings (except Christmas LOL!)
Hugs to all!
Truth be told, I actually suck at Christmas. I hate shopping and the crowds, the non-stop music gets on my last nerve and maybe I'm a little jelly of my wealthier friends who have the great big trees, 100's of presents under them, party after party they attend in their beautiful dresses and pictures of how much fun their having.
This year I trudged through again, but sober. It was much easier to handle mentally sober I admit! The "pings" of resentment and sadness seemed to quickly disappear as fast as they came. I had my regular Christmas Eve dinner, the family came over....it went pretty well all things considered.
Getting prepared for the dinner, cleaning the house and getting the house decorated for the dinner....in the years past, left me drunk, stressed to the point of tears, and sleepless. This year, MY GOD it was so much easier sober. I did have a thought one evening that "a glass" of wine would be awesome, but didn't falter.
Now, looking back over the last week.....what a blessing being and staying sober is. I've blamed alcohol for many things (and it deserves it!), but never really saw a direct path of how stressed and confused it made me when trying to get things done like a normal person.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'm up around 135-140 days sober now and can't wait to see what a sober 2016 brings (except Christmas LOL!)
Hugs to all!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Baton Rouge, La.
Posts: 15,238
No, your not the only one. With 25 yrs sobriety,
Im blessed once again today to remain sober
under all the holiday craziness and expectations.
My husband and I both married in the past,
me, 25 yrs. and him 35, have been there, done
all the family things with family and now with
the 2 of us, 6 yrs married, keep life simple and
easy.
With time, kids grown, living away with
their own lives and families, the 2 of us
have no need to cook big, decorate big
for any holidays.
We spent yesterday quiet, taking a short
ride thru my hometown passing my parents
home, where I grew up and felt peace that
they are still there in the house my dad built,
everything looking calm and peaceful and
hoping they are in good health.
Since I got sober, I had to make some
important choices in my life in reguards
to protecting my own recovery, healthy
and peace of mind by removing myself,
distancing myself from people, places
and things that would keep me sick
within to remain.
I don't need to explain my past as I
continue to move forward in my own
life and recovery doing whatever I
need to do to protect my sobriety
and placing my will and life into the
hands of the Man upstairs for guidance
and protection each day im sober.
Since I had a belly button birthday
10 days before Christmas, I had made
plans for a new tattoo which I got
and set up my appointments for
another tattoo for January as my
Christmas gift and February will
be for our 7th wedding anniversary
on Valentine's Day then look forward
to our Daytona Motorcycle Bike
trip in March.
We do the things in life that keep
us healthy, happy and honest in
recovery and keep Faith, Hope and
Love in our hearts, minds and soul
for each holiday.
Sweet and Simple, all to the best of
our sober ability as I continue to pass
on my own ESH - experiences, strengths
and hopes of what my life was and is like
before, during and after my alcohol career
to others still suffering with their own
addiction.
It's what keeps me sober today.
Im blessed once again today to remain sober
under all the holiday craziness and expectations.
My husband and I both married in the past,
me, 25 yrs. and him 35, have been there, done
all the family things with family and now with
the 2 of us, 6 yrs married, keep life simple and
easy.
With time, kids grown, living away with
their own lives and families, the 2 of us
have no need to cook big, decorate big
for any holidays.
We spent yesterday quiet, taking a short
ride thru my hometown passing my parents
home, where I grew up and felt peace that
they are still there in the house my dad built,
everything looking calm and peaceful and
hoping they are in good health.
Since I got sober, I had to make some
important choices in my life in reguards
to protecting my own recovery, healthy
and peace of mind by removing myself,
distancing myself from people, places
and things that would keep me sick
within to remain.
I don't need to explain my past as I
continue to move forward in my own
life and recovery doing whatever I
need to do to protect my sobriety
and placing my will and life into the
hands of the Man upstairs for guidance
and protection each day im sober.
Since I had a belly button birthday
10 days before Christmas, I had made
plans for a new tattoo which I got
and set up my appointments for
another tattoo for January as my
Christmas gift and February will
be for our 7th wedding anniversary
on Valentine's Day then look forward
to our Daytona Motorcycle Bike
trip in March.
We do the things in life that keep
us healthy, happy and honest in
recovery and keep Faith, Hope and
Love in our hearts, minds and soul
for each holiday.
Sweet and Simple, all to the best of
our sober ability as I continue to pass
on my own ESH - experiences, strengths
and hopes of what my life was and is like
before, during and after my alcohol career
to others still suffering with their own
addiction.
It's what keeps me sober today.
Member
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan USA
Posts: 184
Yes, I'm glad it's over. Matter of fact, I don't care for any holidays at all and prefer the rhythm of "normal" days. I don't get tempted to drink, but the same feelings arise that I use to medicate when my routine is broken up.
PS congrats on your sober time, great to hear you're doing well
PS congrats on your sober time, great to hear you're doing well
Canine Welfare Advocate
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 10,962
I enjoy holidays a lot more now that I'm sober and not wallowing around in the despair of alcoholism--a despair that ruined every day for me, not just Christmas.
That said, I'm glad it's just one a year.
That said, I'm glad it's just one a year.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 1,472
I had a good Christmas but I, too, am relieved it is over. All the shopping, gift wrapping and driving was tiring. Being sober made it so much easier and allowed me to see more family than I did when I was drinking. Before, I would have been in a hurry to get home to drink but this year I took my time and made an additional stop on my way home to see my other grandparents. Sober Christmas is the way to go!
Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Lakeside, Ca
Posts: 10,208
Originally Posted by InTheEnd 
Now, looking back over the last week.....what a blessing being and staying sober is. I've blamed alcohol for many things (and it deserves it!), but never really saw a direct path of how stressed and confused it made me when trying to get things done like a normal person.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'm up around 135-140 days sober now and can't wait to see what a sober 2016 brings (except Christmas LOL!)
I also understand the stress that this time of the year can bring on.
Many people drink more than usual this time of the year and end up in trouble.
Some poor souls even take their lives during the Season.
Many will show up in the AA meetings after the New Year to get their court slips signed.
Due to disappointing family members and new court visits.
True -- best we don't drink today.
At least sober we have a fighting chance.
M-Bob
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