Good morning Kez,
You are right, giving your body a break allows it to take care of things it has been neglecting because of the alcohol. As for you situation on Saturday, I don’t know what kind of advice I can give because I have not encountered that situation myself but know that I will. I have friends that drink (sometimes a lot) and on some occasions just simply say, “No not today.” I think that will be my approach as well, saying something like giving my body a break or just taking a break for a time.
I totally get what you said about being productive. I am a teacher so I am flexible in my work time for a few months. Earlier I was sitting outside enjoying my coffee, listening to the “outside”, planning my day. Yesterday was AF Day 2 and today WILL be AF Day 3 (Dave, did you notice the positive EMPHASIS there?? LOL) As I was enjoying the morning I noticed that first of all I felt like being outside and secondly, I did not have to wait to feel better to get going and did not have to arrange my day around my start time of drinking. Wonderful feeling to be free.
Take pride in the steps that you are taking and keep taking it one step at a time. Those are the only ones you can control.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
Lynn
Kez,
You are right, it is a good feeling to be clear headed in the morning! Today was tougher than the last 2. I think the toughness came with too much free time and today was a day off from working out for me. I was also wondering if I would sleep tonight or would it be a night of unrest. Whatever happens will happen, my body has to get used to going to sleep without alcohol.
I wish you luck with your family on Saturday. Hopefully you will have some good tips that can be shared for I know that obstacle is around the corner for me!
Dave, once again thank you for your response to my last post here and on the other thread. My mind racing is a BIG problem with my sleep and writing things down just doesn’t cut it! I know my body will eventually adapt, there could be worse things I have to suffer through. At least the evenings of being AF are going OK and the “scared” feelings of being AF that evening are not present for now.
It has been many years since I have been AF for 3 nights. Tomorrow will be very weird for me. Since I have been drinking daily (around 13 years) I have not been AF 4 days in a row. I know I will make it, now I am wondering what my thought will be Friday, the day that I said I would THINK about having a drink. Only time will tell!
Have a good everyone!
Lynn
Dave,
Those characteristics that you posted struck a nerve! My parents rarely drank when I was growing up. My mom was a “Stay At Home Mom” and put a lot of effort into her job. My dad left for work every day and came home every day at the same time. I knew my parents loved me but like Kez, the nurturing, communication, and closeness were not there. The points make a lot of sense. I will certainly re-read them to determine their effect on my situation.
On a brighter note! Is it possible for my sleeping problem to have been corrected with only a few days of being AF?? As you know the first night of being AF was not very good, maybe 3 hours total. The 2nd night was much better. I woke many times during the night but was able to go back to sleep and woke yesterday morning refreshed. Last night I woke less and slept off and on about 9 hours! This is something that I didn’t do WITH alcohol! Is my body just exhausted? Is this too good to be true? I did begin the Paul McKenna program last night, not sure if that has anything to do with it but will definitely do it again tonight! If I may ask, have you used that personally?
Today will be #4 AF. First time in about 13-14 years. I find that I am not afraid of this evening without alcohol but seem to be more nervous about the answer to my question tomorrow night, “Do I want a drink?” But…one day at a time.
Thanks for being here for us Dave, it really helps!
Zoey, if you are reading this I hope all is well.
Jewel, KEEP ON KEEPING ON!
Wishing everyone a good day!
Lynn
Dave,
To begin, thanks for the thoughtful questions and responses. First of all, no, have not done any type of detox but probably need to. I have been in a bit of denial about how much I have been drinking. Despite sleeping VERY good for 2 nights, the following days were very tired and weary for me. At first I tried to discount these symptoms as tough workouts, etc. but stopped myself and let my biology background take control and made myself realize that it was withdrawal from alcohol. I will be looking into some liver detox.
As for the weekend. When I decided to do this I set my goal for 4 nights of being AF because it was something I had not done since becoming a daily drinker. Earlier in the week I would have thought that this morning would be met with excitement because I knew I had given myself “permission” to drink tonight if I choose. I have gone back and forth the last day or so whether to drink tonight. I actually think that if I do I will feel disappointed if I drink. However, I do want to continue not drinking during the week, which was my first goal when I started this. Right now I feel if I DON’T drink this weekend I will not be strong enough to make it to the next weekend to have a drink?and I don’t want to take a drink during the week to break my goal.
I can’t believe that I am going to say this, but I can actually see myself becoming AF or just taking a drink every month or so. Days ago, I would have never said that. I know that being 4 night AF is small, and that is an ambitious, but it is one that I see happening---in the future.
I have work commitments this morning but will certainly check out your blog and respond.
Everyone take care and have a blessed day!
Lynn
