grapeseed,

It’s good to hear that you have continued to not drink despite having a tough time at work.  You’re probably right, your co-workers most likely do not understand the struggles associated with alcohol.  

Taking an evening walk is a nice alternative to a drink.  What other things have you found that help you cope?   

Lynn

Hi everyone

I am doing ok. I am still not drinking. I am very proud of that. I am struggling because I am really hating my job right now. I am not sure if the alcohol was masking it or what. I took a few sick days when I was struggling with alcohol months ago and a few people seem to still be pissed about it. I dont think they realize how hard this addiction has been for me and how far I have come. I guess I have to put my head down and continue to do the good job I always do. I dont like feeling like an outsider sometimes.

Other than that things are good. I still feel envious too John. Especially now, when I could really use a beer to take the edge off. Like you said Lynn alcohol doesn't help with stress though. You are so right! I really need to remember that.

Well, the weather is nice out tonight. I am going for a walk with my girlfriend. I hope everyone is doing good.

That was very inspiring Lynn123. When I think about what others have conquered, I know I can do this. My brother lost his son five years ago. It was devastating for all of us but I really admire him. He would not go down the drinking road he said, because that’s not what his son would want for him. Pretty impressive if you knew all the problems in our family that preceded us. This is my other big reason for stopping, I don’t want my kids to remember me like I remember our dad. Not that he was a bad person, but just an absent one that seemed very far away, because of alcohol. I suppose I’m obsessed with listing my reasons over and over in my head. Just a bit of anxiety going on here!

Hi Grapeseed, exercise has been really helpful for me too. I didn’t go to bars but I did remove a few things from my life that were a risk to me. Ive decided not to drive past the store where I usually buy and we no longer have any booze at our home. I am also taking a break from a few friends and family that drink regularly. They don’t have issues with it like I do, but if I’m honest, I do think about it more in the days after I see them. I’m envious I suppose. Anyways, all these things together might help us both. Good luck grapeseed!

grapeseed,

I've been good, thanks for asking. That's great that you are exercising! Not only do you get the health benefits of exercise, but it can also serve as a distraction as well. You should be proud of yourself. Every day without drinking should be acknowledged and celebrated. :)

Exercise will help will stress too. I find myself working through many issues when I'm working out or walking. I used to think that alcohol was helping with stress. Once alcohol was removed, I realized that alcohol was only delaying the inevitable. I never dealt with the stress when drinking, so it was always there when the drinking stopped.

Stay strong, you can fight this!

Lynn

Hi Lynn

I have been really busy and not able to post. I started with a personal trainer and I have been exhausted when I come home. It has been really good for me. I think it is helping my mood and it keeps me motivated to stay healthy. I haven't had a drink!! I am very proud of that.

Thanks for everything you wrote. What you write is always very helpful. I think I did use alcohol as a way to deal with stress. When I was drinking heavy it was due to a lot of personal and work stress. I guess I did need alcohol at that time... now I am in a much better place to take this on. Pandemic or not, I am going to fight this.

How have you been?

Grapeseed

grapeseed,

It’s great to see that you are back on track. How have things been for you this week? Thank you for your John Lennon quote. You mentioned it didn’t have anything to do with addiction. Many things that speak to me are not related to addiction. If it’s about life, it can probably be used in comparison to addiction.

You also mentioned feeling down on yourself. I found myself feeling the same way when I stopped drinking. I felt so good, I was able to do much more, and I truly enjoyed things more but all I kept thinking was how much time I wasted. Beating myself up was negating the happiness I had found by not drinking, so I decided to start thinking of it in a different way. Rather than thinking about it as wasted time, I now think of it as what I had to do to get to this point in my life. Sometimes, you have to go through hard times to get to the good times.  

I understand that one wrong decision and I’m a drinker again, so I don’t take my sobriety for granted. I appreciate my sober life and try to live it to the fullest every day. It sounds like you are finding what makes you happy too. I hope this continues for you. Keep your guard up, you never know what is around the corner. Stay strong!

Lynn

I really like this idea. I would like to participate. Quitting alcohol has been really hard during the pandemic for me. It is a good excuse not to hang out at bars though. For me no bars has helped.

I really like the quote below from John Lennon. It doesn't really talk about addiction or anything but for me it is still relevant. I often feel down on myself because I didn't achieve as much I wanted to in my 20s. This is because I spent way too much of my time drunk or hung over. I don't like to define myself by what I do for a living. How I can make myself and others happy is what is important to me. I am better able to be happy and make others happy when I am not drinking all the time.

"When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down 'happy'. They told me I didn't understand the assignment, and I told them they didn't understand life."



Despite being alcohol-free for several years, I still have difficult times.  I assume others have difficult times too, so about a year ago I created the thread, Just a Thought.  It was a place to post quotes that were helping me on my own journey. I also posted situations or obstacles that caused me to pause and think about my alcohol-free life.  It didn’t take long for me to realize that while members here were reading my thoughts, it was helping me as well.  So I decided to create a new thread for 2021.  You’re here today, so welcome!  I hope you find something here that will help you. :)  

I haven’t posted in the Just A Thought thread in a long time.  I’ve wanted to but one reason kept me away.  What inspiring quotes, what situation in my own life, can help someone during this pandemic?  Every time I would come here to post, I would think about what people are going through.  Not only with the pandemic, but with trying to give up alcohol, or continuing to stay alcohol-free.  No quote or situation seemed to measure up to the situations that I imagined people are going through.  Giving up alcohol is one thing.  Giving it up in a pandemic is another.  

If you have become alcohol-free during this time, you are awesome!  I would love to hear your story.  I think we would all love to hear your story!  If you think now is the time, then give it a try. Please don’t let the fear of failure hold you back.  Failure is often a part of success. Below, is one of the many Thomas Edison quotes about failure.  Stay strong and safe everyone!  

"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."