Sober vacation, sober wedding, sober beach, sober living where pot is legal
 

Just back from a couple weeks in Oregon.

Traveling as a family of 6, including a three month old, a seven year old, a ten year old and a sixteen year old can be fraught with stress. Particularly when the 7 and ten year old (who is already entering teenhood) cannot stop fighting.....

Along the way, plenty of opportunities for feeling 'triggered'.

A central part of the vacation was attending a brother-in-law's wedding.

At one point, on the coast, headed out for groceries I passed one of the hundreds of legal marijuana shops and thought briefly "maybe I'll go grab an edible". Then I laughed and thought "when would I even DO something like that? I'm on vacation with my family. " And on I went with my life.

At the wedding I enjoyed myself and interacted with family and did nothing regrettable and had a beautiful time really being a part of the experience.

At every possible "trigger" I rolled with it.

At my most frustrated, I was able to see it and eventually let it go.

I enjoyed my family, my time off, my baby, my travels, my experiences, my life.

I didn't even think about drinking, didn't want to, had no use for it.

The one brief temptation about pot was a passing moment - like a cloud briefly overshadowing the sun. I didn't have to respond to it like a trained animal.

Life without booze, without substances, without the specter of addiction controlling my every move - is a beautiful, rewarding thing.

Nearly 25 years of my life was lived under that cloud..... and though the sun would shine - the rains and the grey and the black and the dark cast a long shadow over the real potential life held.

It's really gratifying to live in the light.

You can, too.

Happy Sober Tuesday.

:grouphug:

Sounds like a fantastic trip and well done to you!
I hope to be there one day !
Congratulations!

You had a great trip. Good for you and the family.

As for marijuana, I do understand the availability of it all. I live in one of the most well known places for this. It is everywhere.

Thanks for sharing your vacation. Its beautiful in Oregon.

Glad you were able to enjoy a sober vacation FO! A wonderful memory for you to look back on.

How many vacations have been ruined by booze? I know I have many! Almost every vacation I can remember with my DH brings back a memory of a terrible encounter.

I too live in a state where MJ is legal. Most of my New Years holiday was spent drinking and smoking. It's all a blur!

:tyou

Thanks for the reminder FreeOwl that it's all possible 💜 glad you had a good time x

Great quotes, man. I love the idea of rolling with "every possible trigger." Because, let's face it, this world is full of them.

WE can go anywhere provided we have a legitimate reason; however if we are going to steal a little vicarious thrill, nothing will ensure immunity from alcohol as much as intensive work with another alky.

Oregon is beautiful country. It's work for me to set aside the government.

Thanks for the message FreeOwl - glad the family trip was a good one :)

D

Your post gives me so much hope for the future and why I want to continue this sober journey.
Thank you for sharing this.