Waking Up
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 23
Waking Up
Anyone else notice that early sobriety feels a lot like waking up after sleeping through your alarm?
All things that should have been done while you overslept (the same things that you may have been sleeping to avoid in the first place) become pertinent once again?
How long has it been since I hung out with those friends?
My house sure is a mess.
I could use some exercise.
I really should get more done at work.
I should be there for my family more.
For me, it can be a really overwhelming experience.
It feels wonderful, because I can get those things done.
But it can also lead to burnout, when trying to do all of those things at once (like when you rush out of bed to get your day started, or waited until the last day to do your assignment), which can of course lead to relapse.
Perhaps the solution is to not try to do everything perfectly at once, just to do things better than before with the intent of achieving your goals at some point.
All things that should have been done while you overslept (the same things that you may have been sleeping to avoid in the first place) become pertinent once again?
How long has it been since I hung out with those friends?
My house sure is a mess.
I could use some exercise.
I really should get more done at work.
I should be there for my family more.
For me, it can be a really overwhelming experience.
It feels wonderful, because I can get those things done.
But it can also lead to burnout, when trying to do all of those things at once (like when you rush out of bed to get your day started, or waited until the last day to do your assignment), which can of course lead to relapse.
Perhaps the solution is to not try to do everything perfectly at once, just to do things better than before with the intent of achieving your goals at some point.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,025
Hi SN,
This is very true. In more general terms every time you are trying to achieve a big change it initially looks bright and positive, then once you get things going you realise there is a lot more work to do than you thought originally.
I have a simple rule for that. Early on my recovery I wrote down my end goals for everything I want to change, and every single day I have to be one step closer to at least one of them. Now, 4 months later, the steps are starting to add up!
I look forward to hearing you progress, you got this!
P
This is very true. In more general terms every time you are trying to achieve a big change it initially looks bright and positive, then once you get things going you realise there is a lot more work to do than you thought originally.
I have a simple rule for that. Early on my recovery I wrote down my end goals for everything I want to change, and every single day I have to be one step closer to at least one of them. Now, 4 months later, the steps are starting to add up!
I look forward to hearing you progress, you got this!
P
Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: US
Posts: 5,095
I think that's why I like lists in the beginning. I can take stock of everything, then break it down into daily junks, mark things off and feel accomplished. And stuff that felt daunting in the beginning is just part of my day now. Its embarrassing to even type that my relatively simple life could ever be viewed as daunting.....ugh.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 23
Starting in first gear, so much speed. So much torque!
Will it be like this forever?
Oh dear, I'm approaching redline!
Does that mean its time to stop?
No, time to shift to second!
Ah, that's better.
But things aren't as fast as first.
What now?
Keep driving.
Oh dear, redline again.
Time to shift to 3rd.
3rd has even less torque than first,
but look at how fast I'm going now!
30 mph!
I was just at 0.
4th
5th
6th gear
Moving steady
No fast acceleration, my speed is steady.
Now lets keep it here for awhile...
Will it be like this forever?
Oh dear, I'm approaching redline!
Does that mean its time to stop?
No, time to shift to second!
Ah, that's better.
But things aren't as fast as first.
What now?
Keep driving.
Oh dear, redline again.
Time to shift to 3rd.
3rd has even less torque than first,
but look at how fast I'm going now!
30 mph!
I was just at 0.
4th
5th
6th gear
Moving steady
No fast acceleration, my speed is steady.
Now lets keep it here for awhile...
Member
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 60
I've only managed one day in the last two week of not drinking.
But just that day showed me how bad I've let things get. I'm terrified when I manage more, that I will recognize even more how bad it's become...
But just that day showed me how bad I've let things get. I'm terrified when I manage more, that I will recognize even more how bad it's become...
Guest
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 8,674
Originally Posted by Frickaflip233 
I think that's why I like lists in the beginning. I can take stock of everything, then break it down into daily junks, mark things off and feel accomplished. And stuff that felt daunting in the beginning is just part of my day now. Its embarrassing to even type that my relatively simple life could ever be viewed as daunting.....ugh.
I still break things down into do-ables, and have a big planner now that has space for lots of stuff. Sometimes, I still have to just "shut it all off" and realize I am done for the day. I anticipate this will keep evolving as I listen to and learn myself better and better.
I also acknowledge when I feel pressure to do things- this particularly applies to spending time with friends. I have loved expanding my social world again- I started re-entering and approaching folks around 100 days, which is when a lot of things seemed to shift for me- but I am still careful with my time and commitments so I don't get overextended.
Keep going! You can do it.
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