Great work Beni! I used the same strategy of planning ahead and working through the situation and it served me very well. The first few social gathering could be a challenge. The bigger, trigger situations with my friends going away were tougher, however, even time succeeded I took back a piece of my own power and strengthened my resolve. You become very comfortable with your choices and that will pay big dividends when really challenging situations arise...and they always do.
Those rationalizations are so common....."The damage is done now. You can start over tomorrow."....it's pretty amazing we can even consider that. I'm the same way. It was that way with smoking. "Too late now. Start tomorrow". Just an excuse to continue on.
So March is behind us now and I am still working toward my reduction goal. Still trying to navigate a few triggers (e.g. any kind of celebratory event) and avoid slips here and there, but it's getting there. I managed to average slightly less than 2 drinks per day in March (my goal is 1). Days without alcohol and days with 2 drinks maximum worked out to 22. :-) There were only 4 occasions where I drank like it was the old days (5 or more in one go).
I'm losing weight, sleeping better and generally gaining energy - all positive things that are really motivating me to want to keep going.
I do still find myself rationalizing sometimes - "What will one more hurt?", "Go on, you've worked hard, you deserve to celebrate", or "The damage is done now. You can start over tomorrow."
Planning ahead is becoming a key tool for me. If I know I'm heading into a 'cocktail party' situation, I try to play through the whole evening in my mind and make my choices consciously ahead of time. Saying 'no thanks' really does get easier when you practice.
Here's to April, spring and continued improvement and good health for all!
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