Indulge me
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Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: MN
Posts: 8,704
Indulge me
Haven't posted in quite a while. So, life is still life even in sobriety. There have been some challenges recently. Both my computers "updated" and wiped em out. Got em back from being repaired and it was like having 2 brand new computers (meaning all my real estate files and important pictures were gone), I got extremely sick for about a week which is more frustrating than anything, and my wife totaled her car but she did not get hurt. Hit a huge buck (their in rut now). It was not insured for full coverage...total loss.
I mention those things to possibly provide perspective. They are not very pleasant things to deal with, they would have been much more unpleasant had I still been drinking. We will get through it, and I will do it hangover free. Other areas of life are actually pretty good, I'm still on my health kick, I'm enjoying the real estate profession, I see good things coming from it.
Lastly, and most importantly for this forum, I am coming up on about a year of sobriety, I have no intentions of returning to drinking. I do not count days and never have, I approached it as a wholesale lifestyle change. I'm not going to try and fix what isn't broken, I'm going to continue doing what I'm doing in that regard. I know myself, I'm either a drinker or not...there is no in-between. I have no regrets, but it required some changes in my life. I am even less social than I was before, but I don't care. I busy myself with other things. I still read this site daily although contribute much less. I am going to try and contribute more now (I was involved with some websites and a radio show for a few months regarding the elections).
Just an FYI for those who are new or struggling. I sleep like a baby, I eat well, my head is clear, my skin and face are not blotchy, I have not had the shakes, "bathroom issues", rapid heart rate, night sweats, feeling of impending doom, a panic attack, guilt or shame from my behavior in months and months. What changed? I stopped putting poison in my body on a regular basis.
Lastly, was it easy? nope. But I believe it is a lot easier than being an alcoholic, and I'm being serious.
I mention those things to possibly provide perspective. They are not very pleasant things to deal with, they would have been much more unpleasant had I still been drinking. We will get through it, and I will do it hangover free. Other areas of life are actually pretty good, I'm still on my health kick, I'm enjoying the real estate profession, I see good things coming from it.
Lastly, and most importantly for this forum, I am coming up on about a year of sobriety, I have no intentions of returning to drinking. I do not count days and never have, I approached it as a wholesale lifestyle change. I'm not going to try and fix what isn't broken, I'm going to continue doing what I'm doing in that regard. I know myself, I'm either a drinker or not...there is no in-between. I have no regrets, but it required some changes in my life. I am even less social than I was before, but I don't care. I busy myself with other things. I still read this site daily although contribute much less. I am going to try and contribute more now (I was involved with some websites and a radio show for a few months regarding the elections).
Just an FYI for those who are new or struggling. I sleep like a baby, I eat well, my head is clear, my skin and face are not blotchy, I have not had the shakes, "bathroom issues", rapid heart rate, night sweats, feeling of impending doom, a panic attack, guilt or shame from my behavior in months and months. What changed? I stopped putting poison in my body on a regular basis.
Lastly, was it easy? nope. But I believe it is a lot easier than being an alcoholic, and I'm being serious.
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Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: OZ
Posts: 2,055
Originally Posted by thomas11 
I mention those things to possibly provide perspective. They are not very pleasant things to deal with, they would have been much more unpleasant had I still been drinking. .
Thanks Thomas11, ...that was a really nice post and congratulations on one year.
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Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Great post, Jeff!!
Your last part about this being easier than being an active alcoholic makes me think of my first date with my boyfriend in July .... he was about 30 days sober. He remembers that when I shared with him the nutshell of my life (we dated in high school and he randomly asked me to lunch this summer, long story there) and that I was going on five months sober, I told him "there is nothing that isn't better sober." He says now "I didn't quite believe you, but I wanted to know more." He's convinced now. And I can say that applies to both of us, and while SO many of the promises of AA have and are true for each of us, and together - we have dealt with and are dealing with tough stuff, too. His daughter's suicide attempt in Sep, repairing a major rift (of five years and enormous family trauma) between my brother and me, custody and co-parenting for him and his ex-wife, my money "rebuilding" ..... all kinds of little and big stuff. I simply could not handle any of it if I was drinking- and my choice to be sober brings the gift of life, with all it entails.
Love hearing your story!
Your last part about this being easier than being an active alcoholic makes me think of my first date with my boyfriend in July .... he was about 30 days sober. He remembers that when I shared with him the nutshell of my life (we dated in high school and he randomly asked me to lunch this summer, long story there) and that I was going on five months sober, I told him "there is nothing that isn't better sober." He says now "I didn't quite believe you, but I wanted to know more." He's convinced now. And I can say that applies to both of us, and while SO many of the promises of AA have and are true for each of us, and together - we have dealt with and are dealing with tough stuff, too. His daughter's suicide attempt in Sep, repairing a major rift (of five years and enormous family trauma) between my brother and me, custody and co-parenting for him and his ex-wife, my money "rebuilding" ..... all kinds of little and big stuff. I simply could not handle any of it if I was drinking- and my choice to be sober brings the gift of life, with all it entails.
Love hearing your story!
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Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: middle of nowhere
Posts: 2,849
Good job on your upcoming year Jeff! Do you plan on a little celebration for yourself? Or just carry on as usual?
Dee's right- don't forget to stay vigilant to protect your sobriety.
Sounds like you're doing awesome
Dee's right- don't forget to stay vigilant to protect your sobriety.
Sounds like you're doing awesome
Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 4,251
Fantastic post Jeff, it is so inspiring and I really love seeing the positive changes in your life and attitude you have made. I am so happy for you and really glad you are reaping the benefits of sobriety.
Sorry about the car and the computers, two things you definitely not need but you can and will get through this.
Sorry about the car and the computers, two things you definitely not need but you can and will get through this.
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