Mountainmanbob

My sponsor shared with me early in recovery that, "now that I was sober there would be many, many times in which I would need to let go of some old ideas." Yes, my thinker was somewhat off due to the years of drinking and making bad decisions.

I'm still amazed on this sober journey how many thoughts or ideas that cross my minds eye that after some good moral thought on the matter I say to myself -- I had better let go of that old idea.

Having a sober moral conscience today keeps me out of a lot of trouble.

Grateful to be sober Bob


How you all doing with letting go of some old ideas ?
Surprised by how many thoughts -- you don't act on ?

EBIII

Letting go of the idea that I must be high to enjoy life has been a difficult one especially when getting high doesn't make life more enjoyable it makes life nothing but a lie.

Mags1

Hi MM, interesting topic as usual!

I find I'm a lot calmer now I'm sober so I do think differently, more rationally, less drama.

I am too, grateful to be sober.

Centered3

Letting go of my very old ideas that feelings, good or bad, are to be feared, numbed out from, or run away from.

Boleo

Not only did I have to let go of most of "my" old ideas, I had to let go of most of Western civilizations old ideas as well.

Existentialism and Eastern philosophy have taught me that Epistemology got off on the wrong foot over 3 thousand years ago.

Mountainmanbob

Doing a lot of work around the house today while the wife is at the beach wa wa wa poor Bob started to get a little resentment there better let go of that idea be grateful for what you got have a blessed sober day Bob

Lucky Bob that you have three doors on the house to work on all day.
Kept me out of trouble and sober.

JJsober1

Great idea Bob tackling the projects sober. I have one side of a retaing wall with quite a bit of "character" because I couldn't do the same. JJ

Mountainmanbob

Thinking that I can or even should control people.

letting go of some old ideas.

Redmayne

Moving from recovery to prolonged and lasting sobriety means to me at least not just making spiritual progress but adopting a spiritual lifestyle, wherever you may find it...so that you honour your soul...

As for controlling people and things as Epictetus said,'Men are not disturbed by things but their view of things,' whilst you may think you control family, friends, the weather, the economy, your death etc...

The only thing you really have control over are your opinions based on your perception or judgement...

'We're all just little souls dragging a corpse around' - Epictetus, now there's something to think about....

Mountainmanbob

What is recovery setting at a campsite without a beer in my hand very peaceful Bob

Carpathia

In sobriety I'm letting go of the idea that I'm in this world alone and that living on earth is about surviving in a hostile environment.

Spacegoat

I'd be working on that one a long time too, Carpathia.

kgirl41

I'm working on letting go of the idea that I need to be liked and accepted by everyone.

Mountainmanbob

What is recovery -- letting go of some old ideas.

Yes, that is for sure and as I look back on those old drinking days I also see where I don't hang out with the same kind of friends.

I do understand that for many including myself when first sobering up I didn't wish to cut loose all of my drinking buddies but, in time we drifted away from each other. Truthfully, it's not much fun hanging out with drunks. Now I know how many felt when being around me in my drinking days.
A nice sober day wished for all,
MB

pooky

Impulsivity
I used to just say or act on my thoughts a lot of the time.
I try to quiet myself before I react or speak.
This is new to me. At the age of 59 you'd think I might have learned that by now. I kinda knew it was a problem before but now at 10 months sober I I really know it's a problem and I have the calmness to actually respond in a proper manner.. sometimes. I'm trying!

shortstop81

One common thing I've been asked by my sponsor/therapists who have tried to help me, is: "why don't you like yourself more?"

Over the years I've placed myself in multiple situations where other people have walked all over me. I've never put myself first. I don't make my needs/wants known. And then my resentments stew in my belly like a hot cauldron until it boils over.

I'm not going to lie, I'm still working on this. But in order for me to maintain sobriety vs 'not-drinking', this has to be addressed. I guess I just don't know how yet, but that's where my sponsor comes in.