Five Years Sober Today!
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,044
Five Years Sober Today!
Hello and Happy New Year!
Today I am officially five years sober! I remember reading somewhere that five years constitutes long term sobriety a few years ago and I have been looking forward to hitting this milestone.
I joined SR in 2012, and spent a few years alternating between sobriety and failed attempts at moderation. Fast forward to NYE of 2015 and something in me just said enough. There was no big incident, I was just reflecting on the past year and was tired of not being able to be 100% at everything. I was tired of waking up with a foggy head, tired of thinking about when I could pour a glass of wine, tired of bartering with myself at night about whether I could just have another glass because there isn’t much left in the bottle anyway. I knew I wanted to be around for my kids, and I wanted to be healthy and present.
The first thing I did was join the January of 2016 Class. I had been on SR on and off and I knew that this would be the best place for me to get the support I needed. I instantly had a support group of others who were at the same point in their recovery journey as I was. Many of us had been in previous classes, me included, but we all were showing up and committing to making this the time that sobriety stuck. This month several of us will celebrate five years sober. Bandi, my sober twin is also celebrating her five years today, we have been on this journey together since January 1, 2016.
I knew that I was going to need to be active in my recovery if this was going to be different, and I heard the voice of Dee and many others in my head asking “What’s your plan?” So I decided to think about what had helped me in the past during stretches of sobriety, and also what the pitfalls were that led me back to drinking. After some reflecting I came up with a plan that worked for me:
Wishing everyone health, love and laughter for 2021.
❤️ Delilah
Today I am officially five years sober! I remember reading somewhere that five years constitutes long term sobriety a few years ago and I have been looking forward to hitting this milestone.
I joined SR in 2012, and spent a few years alternating between sobriety and failed attempts at moderation. Fast forward to NYE of 2015 and something in me just said enough. There was no big incident, I was just reflecting on the past year and was tired of not being able to be 100% at everything. I was tired of waking up with a foggy head, tired of thinking about when I could pour a glass of wine, tired of bartering with myself at night about whether I could just have another glass because there isn’t much left in the bottle anyway. I knew I wanted to be around for my kids, and I wanted to be healthy and present.
The first thing I did was join the January of 2016 Class. I had been on SR on and off and I knew that this would be the best place for me to get the support I needed. I instantly had a support group of others who were at the same point in their recovery journey as I was. Many of us had been in previous classes, me included, but we all were showing up and committing to making this the time that sobriety stuck. This month several of us will celebrate five years sober. Bandi, my sober twin is also celebrating her five years today, we have been on this journey together since January 1, 2016.
I knew that I was going to need to be active in my recovery if this was going to be different, and I heard the voice of Dee and many others in my head asking “What’s your plan?” So I decided to think about what had helped me in the past during stretches of sobriety, and also what the pitfalls were that led me back to drinking. After some reflecting I came up with a plan that worked for me:
- Daily check in on SR, I read and posted here daily, and still do. Early on the support I received from the amazing members of this community helped to keep me sober, gradually I was just checking in to see how everyone else was doing. Now I check in on the 24 hour thread daily, because it is a community that I love. I have shared the good, the bad and the ugly on this forum over the past five years, and I’m so grateful for everyone here. The best thing now is that I am able to be that support for others who are just starting out on their journey.
- Remaining in the present. This is something I still need to remind myself of even today, but I have learned mindfulness strategies to help me do so. I feel this is an important one for anyone in recovery. We cannot change what we’ve done in the past, only learn from it. As for the future, spending time worrying about the “what ifs” and “mights,” takes away any sense of calm or enjoyment in the present moment.
- Exercise and nature. This is kind of a combo for me. I get outdoors everyday and go for a walk, I’ve also integrated short walking breaks into work to help me clear my head and refocus for the remainder of the day. There is something about the combination of being outdoors and moving that instantly calms me and allows me to let go of whatever may have happened that day.
- Gratitude. No matter how difficult a situation, there is always something to be grateful for. This has helped me when dealing with financial stresses, the death of my mom, stressful days at work, anything life happens to throw at me.
Wishing everyone health, love and laughter for 2021.
❤️ Delilah
Lots of love from me. 
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Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,598
Congratulations and thanks from me too Delilah. I'd miss not seeing you here with your just great avatar. So kind to people.
Five years sobriety is a great thing to own, and to share. Thanks, Delilah.
Five years sobriety is a great thing to own, and to share. Thanks, Delilah.
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,044
Originally Posted by venuscat 
I am honoured to be sharing this journey with you darling D.....you are my friend and my inspiration, and I adore you. 
❤️
Congrats on 5 years beautiful one!!!!!
❤️Congrats on 5 years beautiful one!!!!!
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,044
Originally Posted by Steely
Congratulations and thanks from me too Delilah. I'd miss not seeing you here with your just great avatar. So kind to people.
Five years sobriety is a great thing to own, and to share. Thanks, Delilah.
Five years sobriety is a great thing to own, and to share. Thanks, Delilah.
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,499
Congratulations Delilah! You are a constant, kind and thoughtful presence on SR.
We are not quite sober twins but on a similar timeline. Five years feels good but it's because those years are made up of each day of being sober and clear-headed, living without regret.
We are not quite sober twins but on a similar timeline. Five years feels good but it's because those years are made up of each day of being sober and clear-headed, living without regret.
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