One Year Sober Today :)
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Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 2,256
One Year Sober Today :)
Yes!!! I did it. One year sober today. This time last year I was hungover, full of self-loathing and shame. Today I am bursting with joy. For anyone struggling in the early days, take heart. It can be done. If I can do it, so can you. And I want you to do it. I want everyone to experience what I’m feeling today.
So, what are the advantages of being sober for a year? Well, I’ve learnt how to deal with emotions without numbing the pain. I’ve surprised other people. I’ve really surprised myself. I always thought I was impatient. I’m not. I’ve got loads of patience and loads of interest in stuff I didn’t know I didn’t know about. I’ve taken my kids rock climbing and fossil hunting, travelled around Italy, run half marathons, redecorated every room in my house, got promoted at work, made new friends, fallen in love with my husband all over again and basically become a better version of the person I used to be. This new me is saving all my drinking money for a family holiday next year in Orlando… so excited…kids are already counting the days! I look much younger and better than I did this time last year; my skin is clear, my eyes shine and I’m finding it easy to maintain a happy, healthy weight. Strangely though, I care much less about what I look like now. I care much less about lots of things…. other people’s opinions of me, how popular I am, whether everyone else is having a better time, living a better life…none of that matters to me anymore. Sobriety has removed my blinkers and enabled me to see and appreciate everything I have. And I have loads…a lovely husband, kids, home, dog… that’s what’s important to me now. I feel so lucky to be me. I’m actually beginning to really like being me.
And now, what are the disadvantages of being sober for a year? Hmmm, none! This time last year I couldn’t imagine a Friday night without wine, let alone Christmas or my birthday or holiday. I thought wine made everything fun. I was wrong. I’ve had the best Friday nights, the best Christmas, the best birthday and the best holiday since I quit drinking. EVERYTHING is better now I’m sober.
How do I say thank you to a bunch of strangers all over the world for helping me rebuild my life? How do I even begin to express my gratitude or tell you how much each one of you means to me? Words don’t really cut it so I’ll use actions instead. For everyone who replied to my posts, congratulated me when I hit a milestone or encouraged me when I was feeling down, I’m going to honour you by not drinking today. And I’m going to carry on honouring you in this way every day from now on. Hope you join me
So, what are the advantages of being sober for a year? Well, I’ve learnt how to deal with emotions without numbing the pain. I’ve surprised other people. I’ve really surprised myself. I always thought I was impatient. I’m not. I’ve got loads of patience and loads of interest in stuff I didn’t know I didn’t know about. I’ve taken my kids rock climbing and fossil hunting, travelled around Italy, run half marathons, redecorated every room in my house, got promoted at work, made new friends, fallen in love with my husband all over again and basically become a better version of the person I used to be. This new me is saving all my drinking money for a family holiday next year in Orlando… so excited…kids are already counting the days! I look much younger and better than I did this time last year; my skin is clear, my eyes shine and I’m finding it easy to maintain a happy, healthy weight. Strangely though, I care much less about what I look like now. I care much less about lots of things…. other people’s opinions of me, how popular I am, whether everyone else is having a better time, living a better life…none of that matters to me anymore. Sobriety has removed my blinkers and enabled me to see and appreciate everything I have. And I have loads…a lovely husband, kids, home, dog… that’s what’s important to me now. I feel so lucky to be me. I’m actually beginning to really like being me.
And now, what are the disadvantages of being sober for a year? Hmmm, none! This time last year I couldn’t imagine a Friday night without wine, let alone Christmas or my birthday or holiday. I thought wine made everything fun. I was wrong. I’ve had the best Friday nights, the best Christmas, the best birthday and the best holiday since I quit drinking. EVERYTHING is better now I’m sober.
How do I say thank you to a bunch of strangers all over the world for helping me rebuild my life? How do I even begin to express my gratitude or tell you how much each one of you means to me? Words don’t really cut it so I’ll use actions instead. For everyone who replied to my posts, congratulated me when I hit a milestone or encouraged me when I was feeling down, I’m going to honour you by not drinking today. And I’m going to carry on honouring you in this way every day from now on. Hope you join me
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,597
Great post, kenton!!! Big congrats on one year and all your accomplishments the past 365 days.
Once we get sober, everything really falls into place. Big insurmountable problems become manageable. Deferred emotions get dealt with. Work improves, family life improves. Everything gets better, often in unexpected ways.
Once we get sober, everything really falls into place. Big insurmountable problems become manageable. Deferred emotions get dealt with. Work improves, family life improves. Everything gets better, often in unexpected ways.
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