Back from a vacation with no drinking
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 666
Back from a vacation with no drinking
It was a revelation. It wasn't a deprivation, it was a blessing.
For years I've drank a bottle of wine a night on this trip. At first openly but in the last few years (when I was supposedly cutting back), making excuses to go to the store to buy wine, hiding the empties, missing breakfasts out having to sleep in while everyone else was enjoying time together.
It was a joy to wake up feeling refreshed, healthy and guilt-free, instead of hungover and sick of myself. Everyone was so surprised: Hey! Mom is coming with us! It was such a relief and simple pleasure.
My bathing suit looked better on me, my stomach flatter, my skin, eyes and hair healthier-looking by the week. I feel such a burden lifted.
Every now and then the old associations would pop in.. romanticizing having a sparkling glass of wine overlooking the beach. Then I reminded myself what it would devolve to and actually be .. me hiding a bottle in a closet or behind groceries, surreptitiously drinking out of a plastic cup, collapsing into bed, waking up a few hours later feeling sick and miserable.
For me the trick has finally been to realize that Not Drinking is not "being deprived", it's a gift. Making that mental switch has been everything.
My counter on my phone says 47 days of freedom and $470 saved!
For years I've drank a bottle of wine a night on this trip. At first openly but in the last few years (when I was supposedly cutting back), making excuses to go to the store to buy wine, hiding the empties, missing breakfasts out having to sleep in while everyone else was enjoying time together.
It was a joy to wake up feeling refreshed, healthy and guilt-free, instead of hungover and sick of myself. Everyone was so surprised: Hey! Mom is coming with us! It was such a relief and simple pleasure.
My bathing suit looked better on me, my stomach flatter, my skin, eyes and hair healthier-looking by the week. I feel such a burden lifted.
Every now and then the old associations would pop in.. romanticizing having a sparkling glass of wine overlooking the beach. Then I reminded myself what it would devolve to and actually be .. me hiding a bottle in a closet or behind groceries, surreptitiously drinking out of a plastic cup, collapsing into bed, waking up a few hours later feeling sick and miserable.
For me the trick has finally been to realize that Not Drinking is not "being deprived", it's a gift. Making that mental switch has been everything.
My counter on my phone says 47 days of freedom and $470 saved!
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Location: Dancing in the Light
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Originally Posted by tealily 
For me the trick has finally been to realize that Not Drinking is not "being deprived", it's a gift. Making that mental switch has been everything.
I'm so glad you had a good vacation and more important, that you feel good about yourself.
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Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 1,107
"For me the trick has finally been to realize that Not Drinking is not "being deprived", it's a gift. Making that mental switch has been everything. "
Nice !
Wow all positive .. I love hearing that you feel better and look better ... saved $$.
Winner!
Nice !
Wow all positive .. I love hearing that you feel better and look better ... saved $$.
Winner!
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 39
So proud of you and so happy for you!! I just came back from girls trip and had the same realizations. I felt better not drinking and enjoyed soaking up every sober minute. I kept remembering to be present and thankful for the ability to participate with my friends sober! I feel SO much better not drinking and I'm so proud of myself, knowing I can have the control to go on trips and not include alcohol. The truth is I enjoy my trip more because I could be clear and present. No waking up ashamed, unsure what I said or did the night before. Congratulations to you!!!! You are doing amazing! Keep going ❤️🎉
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Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 666
Originally Posted by myluckyday
I would love to get a counter on my phone. Is that an app?
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 666
Originally Posted by Jenni37
So proud of you and so happy for you!! I just came back from girls trip and had the same realizations. I felt better not drinking and enjoyed soaking up every sober minute. I kept remembering to be present and thankful for the ability to participate with my friends sober! I feel SO much better not drinking and I'm so proud of myself, knowing I can have the control to go on trips and not include alcohol. The truth is I enjoy my trip more because I could be clear and present. No waking up ashamed, unsure what I said or did the night before. Congratulations to you!!!! You are doing amazing! Keep going ❤️🎉
Whenever I'm in those gatherings now, with girlfriends, I am so proud of myself for not drinking and being calm and strong. (I realize too that many of them, for the most part, drink a lot less than I thought they did.)
So glad you had a good trip!!
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