Need some encouragement.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,188
Big things in life are made up of tiny ones. Find tiny things to do. Meaning comes from reflection, but you can reflect on things you've done. So do tiny, positive things. Since humans are marvellously complex, yet simple beings, you'll feel different soon enough.
Take care
Take care
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,435
I think there's two steps Press - getting sober and then staying that way. The second is definitely the hardest.
You have had success tho with varying lengths of sobriety.
Look at what worked. Think about what might work to help you deal with continued motivation, low self esteem boredom, despair and depression.
Some of us have to do more than simply put the bottle down - but that doesn't mean the task is impossible
You have had success tho with varying lengths of sobriety.
Look at what worked. Think about what might work to help you deal with continued motivation, low self esteem boredom, despair and depression.
Some of us have to do more than simply put the bottle down - but that doesn't mean the task is impossible
Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 412
I am still in early sobriety but I can tell you the feeling of boredom will change as you get more sober time under your belt. Alcohol and drugs really do a number on ones mind and life seems boring without it at first. After a bit of time you will feel so busy with so much you want to do that you will wonder how you ever found the time to drink or use in the first place
Member
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: New Mexico
Posts: 1,339
I remind myself that boredom or ennui is a physical and mental luxury item, and that there is always something that I can do otherwise when I'm feeling that way. Sometimes I just go with the flow of being unmotivated to actually do anything, but I remind myself that it's not something I can afford to do all the time. If I am indulging myself too much in inactivity, it's a time when I may end up having to play the tape forward to recall that drinking to fill my time would be about the worst possible way out of my indifference.
So, I have my structure during the week, and I try to fill in the spaces with some other responsibilities.
You might find that something that sounds too difficult to start as a new project works out in your favor and attends to that down time. But the effort to find it is up to us. It's okay to start something and find that it isn't working, too, and then we ask why?
It's particularly frustrating, I know, when we reach back into the past and find that the interest just isn't there anymore. The spontaneity of feeling joy when we don't expect it is hard to recover when we don't just tip back a bottle and alter our brain chemistry to take us down that lane. Gratitude helps me out of such situations, sometimes.
I see it as part of the recovery of the brain that I just have to attend to the best that I can. As a person with depressive tendencies, I know that it's sometimes just that, and that it will change, something will come forward to pick me up, even if it's just a routine again. We aren't going to feel good all the time.
You'll find what works for you when you are feeling this way.
So, I have my structure during the week, and I try to fill in the spaces with some other responsibilities.
You might find that something that sounds too difficult to start as a new project works out in your favor and attends to that down time. But the effort to find it is up to us. It's okay to start something and find that it isn't working, too, and then we ask why?
It's particularly frustrating, I know, when we reach back into the past and find that the interest just isn't there anymore. The spontaneity of feeling joy when we don't expect it is hard to recover when we don't just tip back a bottle and alter our brain chemistry to take us down that lane. Gratitude helps me out of such situations, sometimes.
I see it as part of the recovery of the brain that I just have to attend to the best that I can. As a person with depressive tendencies, I know that it's sometimes just that, and that it will change, something will come forward to pick me up, even if it's just a routine again. We aren't going to feel good all the time.
You'll find what works for you when you are feeling this way.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,408
Hey fellow Bay Area person
I feel you on this. I'm left with too much time on my hands after I gave up drinking. I never realized how much time I wasted on it until I quit. Now the question is what do I do with all this wonderful free time??
It's a GOOD PROBLEM, but it's definitely a problem that needs answering. I will let you know if and when I get there. For now all I can say is I feel your pain and I'm glad you're here
I feel you on this. I'm left with too much time on my hands after I gave up drinking. I never realized how much time I wasted on it until I quit. Now the question is what do I do with all this wonderful free time??
It's a GOOD PROBLEM, but it's definitely a problem that needs answering. I will let you know if and when I get there. For now all I can say is I feel your pain and I'm glad you're here
Administrator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Dancing in the Light
Posts: 61,502
Press, I'm sorry that you're struggling.
I think you will find that part of the recovery process is creating the life that you want to have. Take some time to figure out what you like to do for fun, for hobbies. Things may not always live up to your expectations, but hopefully you can find things to do that you enjoy. I always suggest volunteer work because that's what saved me.
I think you will find that part of the recovery process is creating the life that you want to have. Take some time to figure out what you like to do for fun, for hobbies. Things may not always live up to your expectations, but hopefully you can find things to do that you enjoy. I always suggest volunteer work because that's what saved me.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
I know that feeling, that experience.
it can be moved beyond.
When I sincerely began envisioning the life of sober fullness and began doing the work to get there..... it began happening. Slowly. Sometimes in new and challenging ways. But better and better and better I built a life of abundance and presence and reward.
you can too. I promise.
it can be moved beyond.
When I sincerely began envisioning the life of sober fullness and began doing the work to get there..... it began happening. Slowly. Sometimes in new and challenging ways. But better and better and better I built a life of abundance and presence and reward.
you can too. I promise.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,040
Hi Press,
Glad you’re here and posting. How are you doing today? That feeling of boredom will go away as you find activities you enjoy in recovery.
My free time is spent:
-With my kids
-Walking/Hiking/Gym
-Reading
-Netflix
-SR
-Bubble baths (I can’t resist them, and I get to bring a book so two faves!)
There are so many things you can do to occupy your time once you get sober. In early recovery I found reading and posting on SR, going for walks (even short ones) and reading recovery and fun books most beneficial. I bought some of my favorite foods, and drinks, and didn’t worry about calories for a bit, I lost weight anyway due to eliminating the alcohol calories.
You can do this. Focus on today, one thing you can do for you and your recovery. I forgot to mention mindfulness, that may have been the biggest part of my recovery, staying focused on the present took away the guilt of the past, and the fear of the future.
You can do this. Check in and let us know how it’s going.
Glad you’re here and posting. How are you doing today? That feeling of boredom will go away as you find activities you enjoy in recovery.
My free time is spent:
-With my kids
-Walking/Hiking/Gym
-Reading
-Netflix
-SR
-Bubble baths (I can’t resist them, and I get to bring a book so two faves!)
There are so many things you can do to occupy your time once you get sober. In early recovery I found reading and posting on SR, going for walks (even short ones) and reading recovery and fun books most beneficial. I bought some of my favorite foods, and drinks, and didn’t worry about calories for a bit, I lost weight anyway due to eliminating the alcohol calories.
You can do this. Focus on today, one thing you can do for you and your recovery. I forgot to mention mindfulness, that may have been the biggest part of my recovery, staying focused on the present took away the guilt of the past, and the fear of the future.
You can do this. Check in and let us know how it’s going.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oakland
Posts: 561
I'm going to bed. I didn't drink today. I saw some friends which really helped my dark, bitter feelings. I see people going on with the little sweetnesses of life. Even in the midst of so.much horror in the world. I gotta do those little things that make life worth living.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oakland
Posts: 561
Originally Posted by Delilah1 
Hi Press,
Glad you’re here and posting. How are you doing today? That feeling of boredom will go away as you find activities you enjoy in recovery.
My free time is spent:
-With my kids
-Walking/Hiking/Gym
-Reading
-Netflix
-SR
-Bubble baths (I can’t resist them, and I get to bring a book so two faves!)
There are so many things you can do to occupy your time once you get sober. In early recovery I found reading and posting on SR, going for walks (even short ones) and reading recovery and fun books most beneficial. I bought some of my favorite foods, and drinks, and didn’t worry about calories for a bit, I lost weight anyway due to eliminating the alcohol calories.
You can do this. Focus on today, one thing you can do for you and your recovery. I forgot to mention mindfulness, that may have been the biggest part of my recovery, staying focused on the present took away the guilt of the past, and the fear of the future.
You can do this. Check in and let us know how it’s going.
Glad you’re here and posting. How are you doing today? That feeling of boredom will go away as you find activities you enjoy in recovery.
My free time is spent:
-With my kids
-Walking/Hiking/Gym
-Reading
-Netflix
-SR
-Bubble baths (I can’t resist them, and I get to bring a book so two faves!)
There are so many things you can do to occupy your time once you get sober. In early recovery I found reading and posting on SR, going for walks (even short ones) and reading recovery and fun books most beneficial. I bought some of my favorite foods, and drinks, and didn’t worry about calories for a bit, I lost weight anyway due to eliminating the alcohol calories.
You can do this. Focus on today, one thing you can do for you and your recovery. I forgot to mention mindfulness, that may have been the biggest part of my recovery, staying focused on the present took away the guilt of the past, and the fear of the future.
You can do this. Check in and let us know how it’s going.
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