Can you join any social groups where you are? Not necessarily specifically sober groups, but are there any third spaces like games clubs, maker spaces, somewhere you can get out of the house and meet people?
So, why did you drink? How did you get to that point? What supports do you have in place that you can reach for when the urge to drink is at a 1 or a 2, so it never gets to a 9 or 10?
welcome, we're glad to have you here. And general blogposting is fine, provided you do it while sober, we ask people to be clear of alcohol before posting.
Because I find I deal better with the world as it is without alcohol and hangovers clouding my judgement.
Because I have better things to spend my money on than alcohol.
Because I have the time and headspace to read, sew, to cycle to work instead of taking public transport, to do stuff I enjoy and want to do instead of losing my evenings in a bottle.
Because I can be present for my friends and family.
Because life is calmer, easier, quieter.
Also because it's hot as hell here (40C with 76% humidity earlier in the week) and I can't imagine trying to negotiate this heatwave with a hangover, I think I would actually die.
Alcohol is physically and mentally addictive. It's habit-forming, you get used to consuming, and your body and brain start expecting, alcohol in certain circumstances.
"It's Friday, time for a glass of wine." "It's a sunny Saturday, wheres my chilled glass of rosè?" etc. It will take time to overlay the old habits, the old neural pathways, with new habits. It sounds like you have some old hobbies you can pick up again? That will definitely help. My one rule I never broke, even when I was drinking a bottle of wine a night, was "no drinking and sewing, that's dangerous." And I saved up my booze money and my 1 year sobriety present was a very fancy sewing machine.
Also, my dudes, watch out for the FIFA World Cup, you might be tempted but we know you will remain strong
Football's not my thing but the Women's T20 cricket World Cup also starts today. When I stopped drinking, I was adamant that I wanted to still do the things I enjoyed, I didn't want to stop going to the cricket. I used it as an excuse to explore alcohol-free drinks options.
I do occasionally think a glass of wine would be nice, but then I play the tape forward to finishing the bottle because it's open, the sick feeling when I remember that I argued with a friend or my partner, the hangover and inability to function the next day...
Amazing, congratulations!
congratulations!
Can you join any social groups where you are? Not necessarily specifically sober groups, but are there any third spaces like games clubs, maker spaces, somewhere you can get out of the house and meet people?
excellent. Not sure where you are but in the UK I find Bird and Blend do good herbal teas that make good iced teas.
Welcome, we're glad to have you here.
So, why did you drink? How did you get to that point? What supports do you have in place that you can reach for when the urge to drink is at a 1 or a 2, so it never gets to a 9 or 10?
"I never have to have another day 1" is a huge benefit to me.
Enjoy your bike ride 🚵🏻
congratulations!
welcome, we're glad to have you here. And general blogposting is fine, provided you do it while sober, we ask people to be clear of alcohol before posting.
wow, congratulations!
congratulations on 4 years, and welcome!
woohoo, congratulations!
Brilliant, congratulations!
woohoo!
Because I find I deal better with the world as it is without alcohol and hangovers clouding my judgement.
Because I have better things to spend my money on than alcohol.
Because I have the time and headspace to read, sew, to cycle to work instead of taking public transport, to do stuff I enjoy and want to do instead of losing my evenings in a bottle.
Because I can be present for my friends and family.
Because life is calmer, easier, quieter.
Also because it's hot as hell here (40C with 76% humidity earlier in the week) and I can't imagine trying to negotiate this heatwave with a hangover, I think I would actually die.
Welcome, we're glad to have you here.
Alcohol is physically and mentally addictive. It's habit-forming, you get used to consuming, and your body and brain start expecting, alcohol in certain circumstances.
"It's Friday, time for a glass of wine." "It's a sunny Saturday, wheres my chilled glass of rosè?" etc. It will take time to overlay the old habits, the old neural pathways, with new habits. It sounds like you have some old hobbies you can pick up again? That will definitely help. My one rule I never broke, even when I was drinking a bottle of wine a night, was "no drinking and sewing, that's dangerous." And I saved up my booze money and my 1 year sobriety present was a very fancy sewing machine.
this is what happens when I post before having coffee 😁
Football's not my thing but the Women's T20 cricket World Cup also starts today. When I stopped drinking, I was adamant that I wanted to still do the things I enjoyed, I didn't want to stop going to the cricket. I used it as an excuse to explore alcohol-free drinks options.
I do occasionally think a glass of wine would be nice, but then I play the tape forward to finishing the bottle because it's open, the sick feeling when I remember that I argued with a friend or my partner, the hangover and inability to function the next day...
Nah, not worth it.