Things are looking up on the down side...perhaps
 

Most of my posts have been of the nagging kind. Specifically moaning about how awful socialising is without booze. It is. Boring.

I am not a gardener. This week I saw two beautiful lavender pot plants in a shop. I bought it. Today I went to the garden centre and bought two large pots and some potting soil. I replanted the lavender in the large pots. It looks gorgeous.

I would not have done this without sobriety.

Hi Darwinia here's a few of my plants

I would not have done this without sobriety too ...

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Pop...43761485-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Pop...43761485-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/MIS...100_2521-L.jpg

https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Pop...43761485-L.jpg

:ham3

That's great. I think that finding joy at the small things in a routine day is so important in recovery.

I think its a great idea to do something completely new and see if it brings pleasure (besides substances that is). Kind of amazing huh?

If socializing is boring, apply the same philosophy. Try something new. If the socializing revolves around booze, well, that IS boring if you're not drinking. Drunks can be funny....but mostly they are boring.

Darwinia - gardening and dabbling in the soil is a creative and grounding thing to do; I know I feel better for even just a few minutes' work in the garden, even if I find it tedious sometimes!
It's good to have a hand in bringing about something that adds beauty to the world.
I hope the lavender will flourish for you.

january161992 - those photos are beautiful! I used to have a cactus like the one that's in flower there - do you know what variety it is? I'd love to get another, the flowers have a lovely scent.

I have some awesome prickly pear cactus in my front yard that evidently believes in its manifest destiny. It's trying to take over the whole territory.

Awesome post Darwina

Love this thread, thanks Darwinia :)

My avatar is not my own work ! It's a Phlox 'Flame Coral' The colours brighten my days :)

Your plants are amazing January :)

Thx for this thread Darwinia! There is something very therapeutic about growing things...living things....

One of the very best Mother's Day presents I ever had was the year my husband built a strawberry patch and surprised me with it when I got home from work...The next year he put in a raspberry patch mainly for me cause he knew I would love that. He has an amazing green thumb...it's a gift.

Lovely, Darwinia. So glad to read it!

January, wow!

I'm no gardener either but how inspiring!

The important thing Darwinia is that your moving forward. Like Anna said, it's important to enjoy the little things every day that wouldn't of happened if we were drinking. Those little things eventually add up and can make a big difference in developing a positive attitude towards sobriety.
And I wouldn't worry about any nagging posts you posted earlier. I think most of us have been there. IMHO, it's just not fun getting sober in the beginning. Changing a lifestyle can be a royal pain at times and doing all the work to move forward would test the most patient and determined person. Have a great day! John

Great stuff Darwinia, I'm trying to do the same but January's pics are a hard act to follow so will wait til my thumb grows a bit greener. From little things big things grow.

Long time back a friend said to me - see that guy who just walked into the room? He'll drink again

How rude I thought.

The point being made was that we change...... The old Fly would drink again.
Growth comes in stages and spurts - new or revitalized interests fire our imagination! Good for you

I absolutely LOVE this post. I love the simplicity, joy, and beauty of it. Thank you.