Motivational one-liners
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,426
Getting rid of the deprivation mindset was key with me. A wise person on SR early in my recovery observed -
"You can drink any time you want. You are not a prisoner and you are in charge."
For some reason, that really has helped me stay sober and let go of the idea that I am doing all of this involuntarily or am being punished in some way or suffering some deprivation. I think about that simple approach all the time and it came at a key point in my early recovery.
This is all up to me, and it is the best thing I've ever done.
"You can drink any time you want. You are not a prisoner and you are in charge."
For some reason, that really has helped me stay sober and let go of the idea that I am doing all of this involuntarily or am being punished in some way or suffering some deprivation. I think about that simple approach all the time and it came at a key point in my early recovery.
This is all up to me, and it is the best thing I've ever done.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,594
Bit of a switch on what you say Surrendered, but still makes your point.
An old friend (not 'alcoholic') said rather smugly to me that he could drink "anytime he liked."
I said, "so can I."
An old friend (not 'alcoholic') said rather smugly to me that he could drink "anytime he liked."
I said, "so can I."
Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 8,762
This is a great thread Owen 
Thanks for all the wonderful inspiring words of wisdom everyone.
For me, the old “one day at a time” has to be the best, because I am literally only staying sober by pledging to myself each morning “I won’t drink today”. Forever seems way too hard, and I often think about wanting a drink, but if I just stick to right now, I’m ok.
“If I don’t drink now, I’ll be ok.”
Thanks for all the wonderful inspiring words of wisdom everyone.
For me, the old “one day at a time” has to be the best, because I am literally only staying sober by pledging to myself each morning “I won’t drink today”. Forever seems way too hard, and I often think about wanting a drink, but if I just stick to right now, I’m ok.
“If I don’t drink now, I’ll be ok.”
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,946
Well, in late 2017, I was this obese (BMI 32) slob who wasn’t nice to his wife or anyone and was very jealous of an ex-girlfriend who’d done well, or so it seemed. She was the catalyst to lose some weight - which turned into a lot of weight - and that included stopping drinking. I started to feel good about myself, and I still do. So what’s my (cheesy) one liner now?
”I’m awesome.”
I’m probably the most self-effacing person on the planet, but all my good points have re-surfaced when I got healthy again. Everyone can be awesome with a bit of help.
”I’m awesome.”
I’m probably the most self-effacing person on the planet, but all my good points have re-surfaced when I got healthy again. Everyone can be awesome with a bit of help.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 604
Love this thread!
I have suffered from anxiety all my life and justified my drinking as a way of calming my nerves. Guess what, it didn't work. One of my favorite mantras is -- "He who is prepared is not anxious" -- This goes for every aspect of my life from my college days (test anxiety) or keeping appointments (fear of being late) and so forth. I even have anxiety of leaving my house (God forbid a burglar break in and find my house messy, or worse, dying and not having dirty laundry or dishes undone). Alleviating my anxiety made getting sober that much easier for me.
I have suffered from anxiety all my life and justified my drinking as a way of calming my nerves. Guess what, it didn't work. One of my favorite mantras is -- "He who is prepared is not anxious" -- This goes for every aspect of my life from my college days (test anxiety) or keeping appointments (fear of being late) and so forth. I even have anxiety of leaving my house (God forbid a burglar break in and find my house messy, or worse, dying and not having dirty laundry or dishes undone). Alleviating my anxiety made getting sober that much easier for me.
Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Oxnard (The Nard), CA, USA.
Posts: 13,960
In active addiction I was doing my best with the life skill-set that I had. Meaning: I was doing woefully.
"Knowledge Is Power" when applied with ACTION!. Powerful enough to permanently arrest addiction.
A warrior saying: know your enemy.
"Knowledge Is Power" when applied with ACTION!. Powerful enough to permanently arrest addiction.
A warrior saying: know your enemy.
Not The Way way, Just the way
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: US
Posts: 1,413
Even though, if you have made inroads to society’s various recovery programs, and haven’t heard about it yet, succeeding unto death with the once in a lifetime one minute pledge - - - “I WILL NEVER DRINK AGAIN.” is completely within your capacity of human willfulness.
This pledge ended both the addictions AND the recoveries of millions (including me) throughout the centuries of human access to drugs (including alcohol); allowing them to get on with life baggage free.
This pledge ended both the addictions AND the recoveries of millions (including me) throughout the centuries of human access to drugs (including alcohol); allowing them to get on with life baggage free.
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