Checking in and a couple things that have helped me
 

Hello all. I haven't posted in a while but I check in daily. Especially the readings post under the 12 step forum. I have made that a daily routine every morning as part of the changes I have made.
I am close to 5 months and wanted to document a couple of things that have helped me.
I have been keeping a daily routine of getting up at 6am and reading the daily reflection, etc. along with exercise of some sort no matter where I am. I have been working out but if I am out of town I at least go on a walk or bike ride or something. I have found that being diligent with that has helped start my day off positively.
I went to a 6 week out patient program when I started that helped. I go to AA on Friday nights when I am in town and I went through the back to the basics program. I think the AA program lays out a way of life that I want to live. I know its not for everyone and I focus on the parts that work for me but not everything. Mainly, I want to be sober and be a better person so I can be happy with me. I feel like that way I might be a positive presence in other lives, specifically my children. I want to be a good influence on them and I certainly was not before.

Some days stink and I still think about alcohol but I have to tell myself that drinking is off the table. I have no idea what I am doing half the time and don't know how to act in a lot of situations. I guess because I have lived most of my life drunk. I just have faith that others know what they are talking about when they say things get better. And I know things really sucked when I was drinking all day, everyday.

My health is better and life is calmer and I just don't want to go back to where I was. It's very helpful for me to think about how it really doesn't take that long, in the grand scheme of things, to make changes. It also wouldn't take me long to get right back to where I was either and I have to remind myself of that. I was in a really bad place just 5 months ago and had been for a long time.

Not sure why I am posting other than I get a lot from the site and I feel like I should try to give back. I have found that you never know what might help someone else.

Peace to all and I can't express how helpful you all are.

Thanks for checking in. :) Congrats on approaching 5 months sober! :scoregood

I love your post! Very inspiring. Congrats on your 5 months !!!

Wow, it sounds like you're doing great. Your post had a Zen like feel to me. A man becoming at peace with himself. His priorities in order and taking action to improve his life.
Very impressive. Congratulations on your sober time, and I get the feeling you'll have many more of them.
Best to you.

Congrats on your progress fintime - great stuff :)

D

Curious as to why months 7 and 8 were tricky for you? Did you become less vigilant about your sobriety?