DreamCatcher17

Hey Ya'll I would like to share some tips to remain sober over the holidays.

1. Meetings- however you do them. In person, here at SR, online. Stay active with these people, your support.

2. Drive yourself if you are going somewhere.

3. Have an escape route if it gets to be too much. LEAVE, you have the right to put you first and be safe.

4. Write down on a piece of paper the reasons you are THANKFUL for sobriety, and if that nasty AV peers its head, pull out that paper and read it until you no longer think you need that evil toxin.

5. Don't go anywhere.

6. Wake up and eat an entire pie with some ice cream, you'll probably not want to drink with all that in your belly, maybe too sick to even leave the house?

7. Go and volunteer your time at a homeless shelter and serve them food.

8. Go shopping for Toy's for Tot's or another place and donate that booze money to a child in need.

9. Drive around your city and drop off socks, blankets, coats to the homeless (the weather will depend on what you donate)

10. Eat so much food you are sleepy and go to bed. You'll be happy you didn't drink when you wake up.

Would you like to add anything?

-Blessings,
DC

entropy1964

How about some exercise with all that food binging

DreamCatcher17

Ha, that is after the fact At least for me anyways

D122y

Dream,

Love your post. I can feel the av.s lurking...whispers.

I am so grateful for my health these days. Not being a drunk lets me take my life to new levels.

Yest. On about 5 to 6 hous sleep i worked 10 hours, hit the gym, and went to a concert.

I was up at 230 am, in bed around midnight. I drove around 100 miles navigating difficult traffic.

I did it all with confidence, class, and strength that i have lacked for the better part of 40 years.

Stay clean.

Thanks.

mariposa

bexxed

Yeah, exercise is the clincher for me. And, for me, alone time. Scheduled and unscheduled alone time. (I’m so antisocial �� ) Last Christmas I was tempted to drink for a second when my MIL drove me nuts so you know what I did? Told everyone I wasn’t feeling well and skipped Christmas Eve dinner. Went for a long walk, wrapped presents beautifully, came here and read, and went to bed early so I would be refreshed when watching my niece open her presents at the crack of dawn Christmas morning.

kiki26

Delilah1

Exercise is definitely a big one for me too, it helps keep me grounded. Another big one is mindfulness, try to stay in and enjoy the moment.

least

Practice saying "No thank you".

August252015

Love this!

I'd add to take your own drinks with - sometimes mine was diet coke at first, now I drink too much water/sparkling water with lime (yes, that is an actual thing and causes low sodium -however, right now I just add salt to things bc I won't give up the water!).

Also - naps. And the "Send Myself to Bed Early" technique, as I call it. A time out for an hour or going to bed early when I am emotionally DONE or frustrated....never regret it.

I also heard people say early on that a holiday is just ONE day. That's it. Of course we all have emotions and stuff around them, but changing my perspective and getting rid of expectations of how things would go has been really important.

My happiness rests in being sober, no matter what - and along the way most everything is better and easier as well.

peacefulintent

I also do what August does when it is a social gathering. I bring my own drink, and if possible, a to-go cup already in hand. When asked if I would like a drink my answer is always, "No, thanks, I'm all set." or "I'm good." I do this with a big smile! This usually stops anyone from asking why or asking what I am drinking.
As time goes on people will not care one way or another if you are drinking or not. YOU do care and will be the happy person in the long run.
Drinking is just not worth what it takes from us. Give yourself the gift of taking care of yourself!