kevlarsjal2

It's not really a milestone but I am going through a rough patch and thought I'd write down my achievements so far, as a little reminder that I'm not a failure and that I am often stronger than I think I am....

So here it goes:

- I stopped spending more money than I had on stupid drunk / depressed online purchases

- I paid off all my debts

- I learned to be better with financial things in general

- I sorted through all my paper work and legal issues (just minor things because of unpaid bills, no court, no lawyers - thank god!)

- I started running and ran up to 14k, did a 5k in 25 minutes

- I opened up to my parents about my life and can feel a bit more real when I talk to them now, having less secrets

- I no longer hate myself

- I slowly overcame my social anxiety

- I don't expect myself to be perfect anymore

- I managed to make new friends and reactivate old friendships

- I am able to live with a room mate now

- I am able to actually be there for others if they need me

- I dared riding my bike again after years and found a new hobby that way

- I also got into driving again after not having done that either for several years and generally not having much experience

- I renovated my place

- I started to study again which I was no longer able to when I was drinking

- I started working again part time

- I learned to not blindly act on my feelings all the time

- I learned (and still am) how to take care of myself



It's nothing out of this world but it's a bit of hope for me today and maybe it'll give others hope too. Lots of small things that make life easier and help to actually be able to live life. I probably forgot a few things, it's just what came to my mind now.

Had I kept drinking, nothing of this would've been possible, that I know for sure.

Dee74

Hi Kev

I think one year and 9 months absolutely is a milestone and I'm very happy to see you reach it

The smallest ripple can become the greatest wave

D

Healthyandsober

Huge accomplishments congratulations you should be proud not everybody can do this. I really want to be where you are.

goodbyeevan

Alot of those things are on my goal list. You should be so proud. Im sorry for your rough patch but surely not drinking is better than any alternative hope you feel better soon and congrats on all your hard work.

sonic0311

Congratulations!! I'm a year and 9 months( and little more) also. The changes have been a little more subtle for me, but better health, better relationships, more enjoyment from life in general. You are doing incredible things and I know it will only get better for the both of us.

Gerard52

Well done some huge achievements there.

orderfororder

"It's nothing out of this world"

A lot of those things are out of this world for under two years. Congratulations!

ZBeeblebrox

Your doing great! Keep going!

August252015

Amazing work!! Seeing even those small things that used to seem insurmountable to me has been a true gift of recovery. Keep going!

rustygolf

Inspirational post. Thank you -- and congratulations on the milestone!

J50

Congrats and thank you for the post!

The thing I noticed is that now I get bored. I know this is a trigger for some, but now I have the energy and desire to go out and do things I didn't do because I too busy getting my buzz on, or felt like garbage the next day.

Life is so much better without booze!

least

Congrats on your milestone and thanks for the inspirational message.

Lascaux

Thank you for your post, kevlarsjal2! As many years as some of us have spent wasting our lives and not seeing any further than the next binge, it's awesome and very encouraging to see how quickly things can turn around.

kevlarsjal2

Thank you everyone for the lovely comments! I struggle so much with feeling proud and rather expect myself to accomplish things and always feel like I should be better, faster, like I'm never good enough.
When I typed those things down, I thought they were all such small things that they aren't worth mentioning .

Thinking back, I remember how unachievable all of those things would've seemed to me when I was still drinking.

Sober369

Very inspiring post! Thanks for sharing.

rascalwhiteoak

That's a list to be proud of. Definitely something to remember when your outlook seems hazy.

Truthseeker11

All of those are things I would love to say I’ve accomplished, there isn’t really much more you could hope for. You should be proud!

tursiops999

Hi Kev -- congratulations! Those are not small things at all, they're a big deal. You deserve to feel proud of those accomplishments.

change72

We almost share a sober birthday, mine is 10/16/16. Congrats on the past 21 months. I love seeing your list! It's amazing what we can accomplish with the clarity and time sobriety brings!

kevlarsjal2

Thanks everyone!

Truthseeker: I know you can reach those things too, it may not seem like it now, it didn't seem possible for me either. But we will get there, we just have to keep going and stay on the right path.

There's still lots I need to /want to improve though. Relationship, family, career,... I still have lots of things I hope to achieve one day. As well as every day struggles that I hope to get better at.

change: Oh that is close yes, almost twins! And thanks!