7 weeks
Yes, the holidays are best when we're sober to enjoy them and remember them. 
Member
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 221
I did my first sober holidays last year at just two weeks sober and that included my birthday which falls during the holidays. It IS possible and you can do it! It wasn’t easy but I was so tired of being sick and tired I made it through and felt accomplished. I will be one year sober in a few days and I can tell you it IS worth it and holidays WILL get easier. This year I am looking forward to being fully present and enjoying every moment sober. I am cheering for you finalcall!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 2,426
It can be tough to go through the Silly Season for everyone - drunk, sober, alone, large families. Tough for all because everything can get so exaggerated. Not just for us in recovery. This will be my third set of holidays sober, and I must say, I've enjoyed the last two seasons more than any I spent drinking and drunk. It is possible to stay sober and thoroughly enjoy the holidays Finalcall.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,782
Originally Posted by LoveDD 
I did my first sober holidays last year at just two weeks sober and that included my birthday which falls during the holidays. It IS possible and you can do it! It wasn’t easy but I was so tired of being sick and tired I made it through and felt accomplished. I will be one year sober in a few days and I can tell you it IS worth it and holidays WILL get easier. This year I am looking forward to being fully present and enjoying every moment sober. I am cheering for you finalcall!
Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 5,169
It's odd. I especially like not drinking on holidays these days, not that I drank any less on a normal weekday. But I remember feeling like I could justify a good drunk when it was a holiday. Like I could complain about my hangover the next day, and I could just pretend to be a normal guy that got a little in over his head because it was Christmas, when in reality, there was zero difference from how drunk I got every other night.
Now the holidays are special because I don't drink. That's odd too, because I don't drink on the other days either, so what's the big deal? Well, I'm sober everyday, and I'm still proud of that, not that others are paying a great deal of attention, but I sure am.
Finalcall, you will be like that someday too. It's hard to break the cycle, but it is so worth the effort. Hang in there, and you can make it through and be on your way. Life is good.
Now the holidays are special because I don't drink. That's odd too, because I don't drink on the other days either, so what's the big deal? Well, I'm sober everyday, and I'm still proud of that, not that others are paying a great deal of attention, but I sure am.
Finalcall, you will be like that someday too. It's hard to break the cycle, but it is so worth the effort. Hang in there, and you can make it through and be on your way. Life is good.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 411
Congrats on 7 weeks...hopefully it gives you the momentum to carry it through difficult times. I'm mindful of the holidays too. I have visitors coming who I have had a drink with at Christmas many times. The first thing I did was to let them know that I wouldnt be drinking this year. That does two things for me, it reinforces my resolve regarding the party and it also broadens my disclosure about the decision I have made to more of my social circle. I intend to celebrate my sobriety this year along with the occasion.
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