July 1 group. How is everyone?

[byebyebridgetjones]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Hi All
Thought I better check in as well.
Three weeks gone. Unbelievable. I have quit before, but as New Creation says, it has been 'easier' this time,as I've never had a support network before when taking this on.
It certainly feels better 'managed', thought out and planned.
So far I haven't needed meds, or in fact thought too much about them past the first few days.
So, we have another week to go before our 30 days is 'up'. Has anyone thought much about what their strategy is after that ?
I don't feel fabulous every day, but the general trend is upwards. And it's certainly better than a hangover.
Bridget.

[TimeToLoveMyLiver]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Barb - Thanks for that. I like to tell it as it is. I might offend some people. (not intentionally) but my hope is to inspire others to realize it is possible. I get emails from all round the world from people who seem to be appreciating it. I agree, this forum is a fantastic place. It and many of the people have helped me immensely. I really appreciate your kind words.

Becky - An Inspiration. Not quite sure about that, but I try. :-) Everything going well for you? Thanks again.

Bridge - Your have done an amazing job. You keep us all fired up and give us plenty of laughs. We'd all be lost without you.

[ronnie]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Well Hi everyone
I have been really busy these coupleof days, it was my youngest birthday yesterday and it is my eldest birthday today, thank god my middle sons birthday is in may........
So as you can imaging I am knackered......
But all going well this end, had a couple of urges yesterday, but nothing major soon got over that....
I hope everying is going well for all of you's
Will check back in tomorrow

[Becky]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Hi Everyone!

On a nice sober run. Did some gardening to-day.

[tawnyfrog]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Bump.

Just cheering you guys on. How are you all doing? If you're having a hard time at the mo, remember, there's only 4 days to go before you achieve a completely AF month. You will achieve something fantastic. Yay!!!!!

[byebyebridgetjones]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Good move Tawny,
You just beat me to it.
How is everyone.
TWENTY SEVEN days. Bloody unbelievable......
How's everyone going ?
Are your plans crystalizing for after the 30 day period is over ?
Only 3 days away.....amazing.
Can you hear your liver sighing in relief ?
Bridge.

[Nics99]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

4 days till mission complete..

Hello fellow july giver uppers!!

Apologies on not posting in the last couple of weeks. Things have been hectic in this neck of the woods. Delighted to report still sober and feeling fab as we near our initial goal of abstinance for the WHOLE of July.

Hope all are well - lets get this party ramped back up peeps............ only 4 more days to go WWWOOOOOOOO HHOOOOOOOOO :happy::happy::happy::happy:

Do we have a plan for after July??? I am intending continued abstinance.........

Nics x

[New Creation]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Good plan, Nics. Choosing to stay AF.

Let me tell you all where I have been. Not only off the wagon but under it, rolled over by it and feeling like you know what. Last week, after almost 3 weeks AF, I was invited to a most special of evenings with friends. Was considering not drinking but I was just feeling so great, so positive, so in control of life that I thought "oh, what would just a glass of wine hurt". Well, that night I only had 1 1/2 glasses of wine and although I felt like I had "betrayed" y'all somewhat, I felt so good for having controlled myself at having had so little. This moderation thing was so much more fun. Well, needless to say, things fell way off from there and the next few nights followed with more and more wine until last night I drank practically two bottles. I have fought this for years, have so desired to be able to moderate, but I know deep inside that that is not possible for me.

So this morning I woke up with the very same guilt, shame, physical discomfort, puffiness, etc. etc. that has been my life for so long. For that period of time that I was AF, every day was a miracle, my thoughts were so much clearer, my image of myself and my view of life so much more positive. With every sip of wine I took, I actually THOUGHT about what I was giving up (the good life) and yet continued, as if to punish myself for being me. And yet, those days that I was AF, I realized that I was a pretty great person and did not deserve punishment. As if with the very first drink, my mind went over to "the dark side" and the self-hatred began.

I am sort of rambling here. Know that I had to ask to be "let back in" to the group early in July and now am having to ask again. Just want to let all of you know that IT IS NOT WORTH IT TO GO BACK!!! Life is so very much better without it. For us and for everyone around us.

I will be here again tomorrow, and every day after that. I am going to beat this thing. What point is there for me to live a life of hell by choosing to attempt moderation? It doesn't work for me...not now...never has.

Thanks for being here, friends, on this journey.

[TimeToLoveMyLiver]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Good mornin all.

Yes, I'm still alive. Alive and well!!!

I apologize for not being around recently but the whole family thing has been a bit crazy. My little girl did not sleep a wink last night. Hence to say neither did we. She had to come into our bed or she would wake the other 2 up.

Apart from being absolutely knackered, I've been feeling fantastic. I can't believe we are nearly up to a month already.

Barb - I'm really sorry to hear about what has happened. Please don't give up. Like anything in life worth doing, it can sometimes be tough. You have done so well. For me, it took many attempts. I think that once I honestly came to the realization that I had absolutely no control over alcohol that my decision to quit became extremely easy. I know that merely one sip renders me powerless to stop. Maybe not the first night, but definitely on the second or third night thereafter. It is an insidious drug. It is so socially acceptable that it makes it very difficult to get away from its' grip. I wish you all the best. Deep down you know the "dark side" is not really the place you need to be.

Sorry gang. gotta get to work. Just wanted to let you all know all is good.

Brett.

[New Creation]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

:upset:Brett,
Thank you so much for your loving response. It made me cry! It was so wonderful after 2 long days of the self-anger and sadness, to hear from someone who has been there, knows exactly how powerless we are with alcohol and for some reason how long it takes to admit that to ourselves. Everything you said was so right on....drinking "is so socially acceptable"....so all around us....that it is so "difficult to get away from its grip". The friendship and understanding that you have shown me in your response meant so much to me. Thank you.

I am so proud of all of you. Am still considering myself part of the group....just a slow learner. I know that even though there are modders in MWO and there are some of you considering that, that I cannot be one of them.:upset:upset::upset I wish that I could. But as Brett said, it may not be the first night of drinking for me, maybe not even the second or third, but eventually this enemy will get me back in its clutches and I will be right back to square one. I have to find some way to continually remind myself of that.

Only 2 more days for all of you:goodjob: You are all such an inspiration to me.

Love,
Barb

[byebyebridgetjones]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

30 DAYS.....
WE MADE IT.......

[ronnie]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

CONGRATULATION TO EVERYONE WHO HAS MADE IT TO 30 DAYS A/F

Like Bridget said

WE GOT THERE.......

[byebyebridgetjones]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Hi Barb,
Don't worry about it mate. Just take another run at the thing.
Astonishing how we always hope that 'this time will be different'.
Sometimes I think it's almost a rite of passage for us ...to try our luck with the booze, and hope for a different outcome, only to end up on the losing end.
I reckon it's just part of the learning curve. I don't know how many times I've tried to do this now. But the enjoyment that I'm getting out of alcohol has diminished so much during my last few AF stretches. I think alcohol will soon be down for the count.
Straight back on yer horse, love.
Bridget.

[TimeToLoveMyLiver]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

YOU LITTLE RIPPER!!!

30 days girls. We did it.

Time to watch complacency! I just watched a video I did of myself about 30 days before I gave up. My God I've come a long way. Every single aspect of my life has improved since giving up alcohol! Even the things that used to get me down are now manageable.

I'm off to a birthday on the weekend and the person whose birthday it is once told me that it would be unsociable if I did not drink. Pardon my French, but he can go $%&* himself. I'm finding that I'm actually more social and really enjoying connecting with others.

To be totally honest, I just don't care what people think of me any more. I'm over trying to fit in.

Thanks again to every single person who has taken the time to help me. You have all played a part in my short term success. For that I'm truly grateful.

Brett.

[Cinders]

July 1 group. How is everyone?

Wow, for me it is one more day to the end of July, but I am so proud to be a part of this group.

Very happy for those who made it through July.

Those who didn't and struggle still, please know we have all done that. Looking back only makes it worse. I have done that many times myself and yet today, I am able to do it.

Keep trying. You will get there if you do. You never will if you give up.

I sit here smiling today because I have been sober for the month of July 2009 (by eod tomorrow) and it has been fun. Thank you, all of you, for sharing some fun this month and being there to walk this path with me.

Now on to next month, one day at a time.

Love,
Cindi