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10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 118

Dave, you are doing so great. I admire what you are doing. I hope one day to be in the same place! John

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1009

Hi Vincenza and all,

Goals are really important. Goals are so great because they open your life to new possibilities. I found I was totally preoccupied with the goal of not drinking and I think I may have shifted into maintenance mode now as I don't have any desire or craving to drink. After a month of not drinking I set a goal to quit smoking and it's been a month and a half not smoking (I actually can't exactly remember when I quit, all I know is I don't smoke anymore). So now that I've quit smoking and drinking what now? I have found over the last couple of weeks I've been a bit more irritable and I think it has been my eating habits. Once I quit smoking I discovered a new fondness for sweets and junk food, e.g. desserts, candy, chocolate bars as well as crunchy, salty stuff.......I never used to eat them before and my consumption has gone way up. I'd say my irritability is directly related to my nutrition and the sugar crashes during the day from the sweets and excess coffee. So time for a new goal; nutrition. I've started today and I'm eliminating coffee, sugar, salt and junk food from my diet for the next 30 days and see how I feel with a big increase on healthy foods. Sugar is so bad for you and I need to get rid of it. Plus I want to lose 10 lbs so "Welcome to Day 1" and a new experiment of erratic mood swings! I'll have to remember to step back from myself and laugh at myself over the next few days and enjoy the ride.

Quitting drinking is such a radical life-style change when you have been consuming it in abundance for so long. I've found that I need to pay attention to the balance in my life with work, family, exercise, creativity, and etc. Ignore one and it creates stress for me. Interestingly, like splitimage, I'm finding my creative interests have resurfaced in a big way and I'm getting much more into art and drawing. It's really interesting because I view alcohol now more as an enemy to my happiness and balance and have no time for that kind of set back in my life. Does the thought of having a drink while socializing with friends come to mind? For sure it does but it only takes a moment to realize it's not worth the price of admission.

All the best,

Dave

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 272

I'd been drinking for so long and have relapsed so often, that now every day sober feels like a little miracle. And no matter how rotten my day has been when I go to bed sober I feel happy for just a minute.

And I love waking up early, clear headed, without a hangover or the shakes.

And I'm starting to experience moments of happiness. I was never happy when I was drinking. In fact it's a long time since I remember just being happy with little things, so that's a major bonus.

And I love how I have the time and energy to do stuff like read, and knit and play my harp, that I'd never do when I was drinking.

So for me it's lots of little things that make not drinking worthwhile.

splitimage

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 118

LisaDawn, I am with you. Every day is a milestone. I fill out my diary here a the end of the day when I get into bed. I am satisfied to make it through another day without drinking. Sometimes it is shorter periods like you describe. Some days are harder than others -- some minutes are bad. Yesterday I was blue and it was hard. Today I am blue too, but my work will occupy my mind so it will be much easier. John

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1853

Hi LisaDawn,

You are absolutely right, one second can make all the difference and make or break reaching your ultimate goal. Continue to remind yourself in various ways not to take a single sip and most of all never give up! You can do this - you have incredible support and you have the strength and determination within to keep succeeding every second of the day!!

Vincenza, Health Educator

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 55

Hi Vicenza: I would have to say everyday is a milestone. Maybe every second in the beginning as it only takes one second to decide to or not to have that first sip. I sometimes tell myself that I can handle the moderation but I know that will change quickly and that would be so defeating that I probably would give up trying for awhile. My biggest fear is that I would give up trying for good. So every second is important to me. LisaDawn

10 years ago 0 +0 / -0 1853

Everyday should be a success, no matter how big or small!

Have you hit a milestone?

Did you reach a goal?

This is an amazing way to validate what you are trying to achieve on a daily basis.

What success did you achieve this week?

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