AF Anyone??

[cuckoosnest83]

AF Anyone??

Hi Croft, no need to go for the 30 days AF try a week at first or every other day. Do whatever you think you can do. It is all about getting yourself where you want/need to be.

Wakup, sorry you are having a tough time of it but you are so right about not getting any clarity until you break the circle. Maybe if you set February as a start date. Give yourself the rest of January to let go of the holidays and get back into the daily grind. One thing, dear, is when we are feeling low is when I think it is important that we post. Just to keep the contact. Anyway, my thoughts are with you and you needn't ever worry about sounding negative to me.

Amelia, Prose, Diane, Betsy, NewLife, Bella, hope you are all doing well and I look forward to hearing from you.

[prose]

AF Anyone??

hello everyone,
just want to agree with cuckoo on those 2 points, Croft-just jump in and do what you can, I have been on and off but am still trying and this thread is such a help!
Wakeup, was so glad to hear from you, sorry to hear that you are down but please don't ever not post here. We all love you and want to know what is going on be it good or bad.
Somewhere here I read about thinking about being af "one hour at a time", I have had to use that and like it, has been helping me put back the old witching hour. have managed a few af days interspersed with some mods and of course the old too many nights, but they seem to be less and less.
One thing I have noticed about myself is that perfectionist thing creeping in, where I feel that if i don't have a long string of af days then I tell myself that I am a complete loser, so why even try, so I have tried really hard to focus on the af days and mod days as success, and not give the other ones too much weight.
I reading a book about cognitive therapy, which is really interesting.
well, better go, have tons to do today, all my best to everyone, P
ps-Amelia, looking forward to hearing from you, hope you are OK, take care of yourself!!!!!

[AMELIA]

AF Anyone??

Hello All,
just popped in to say 'How is everyone doing?'
Am right in the middle of a painting....
Will post in an hour or two.
Hope you are all Ok.
xx

[wakupmom]

AF Anyone??

Good eve to you all!
Firstly thankyou for your lovely support.Really appriciate your ideas.I have not taken any al for 3 days and feel Sooo much better.Its amazing how it can distort things.For me its knowing what needs to be done and getting started.

Things seem to be a little quiet on this thread at the moment.Hope you are all ok,and had a nice weekend-Wish they wouldn't go so fast.

Amelia,I really hope you are ok,and managed to get some respite from your stresses.Is there anything in particular that is worring you?Let us know what happened regards your house.Also if your portait is still working well.Take good care xx

Cuckoo,Prose,Cindi,Diane,Betsy,Croft.Hope you will check in soon xx

[wakupmom]

AF Anyone??

There you are Amelia,must have posted at the same time engoy that painting girl!! xx

[SoCal Betsy]

AF Anyone??

Hi all,
I have not been AF this weekend. UUGH. I'm bloated and feeling sluggish. I so desperately want to have energy and I know what needs to happen in order to feel good - I just need to try harder get there and stop drinking.
I just keep sticking my hand back into the fire and then complaining about the burn.

Betsy

[SoCal Betsy]

AF Anyone??

And in case you are wondering - I forgot to change my "mood" icon on the above post.
I don't have multiple personalities! ha ha

[diane52]

AF Anyone??

Just grateful everyone has been so understanding. I haven't been doing great at AF but have been OK at mod which is my long term goal. I still would like to have AF time under my belt and that sense of take it or leave it for real and not pretend.....
I like the feb thing and get the holidays past us and the big nights out etc and get into into the swing of things to start AF. I dearly hope it is not an excuse but a get into the swing of real life and not helliday life to steady us and bring us to the reality of our lives. I really like the sanity of the friends here who said the they would say "Oh I like to start with an ice water or a pellegrino or perrier and never notice when they don't switch!"
I would like to be there.
I truly feel I will be there soon.
Can't wait!!!!!!!!

[fjones]

AF Anyone??

Hi All,

Been too busy with work to post and the results after 21 days - I drank a week ago last Saturday, then on the Tuesday, this Friday and sipped my way through 2 bottles on Saturday. Day 2 and feel yak and angry with myself. Hope you all are holding up.

[cuckoosnest83]

AF Anyone??

Hello everyone,

I drank this weekend too. Like fjones, I'm angry, frustrated, disappointed with myself. As SoCal so aptly put it, we keep putting our hand in the fire and complaining about the burn. My big downfall tends to be when I get really sad. I'm going to try St. John's Wort and see if that helps. I love the support I find on this thread. Thank you all for being here for me.

Love, Cuckoo

[Cinders]

AF Anyone??

Hi everyone,

It seems like there is something in the air causing issues for so many people this last weekend. Wow!!

Here is hoping everyone gets back on track.

Remember, though, it is truly important NOT to beat yourselves up about slipping. It is a destructive emotion, feeling guilty and frustrated with yourselves. Been there, done that. No help whatsoever.

Just dust yourself off and keep on trying.

That's all any of us can do.

Love,
Cindi

[prose]

AF Anyone??

Hi everyone,
am in the same boat, with that burnt hand. I am really working on "moding" not sure if I am just fooling myself though. I want to be in that place that diane talked about, where I can take it or leave it. will try again today. take care all of you!!! P

[Ripple]

AF Anyone??

This is a difficult time of the year for some. I would have normally drank alot at this time. Afraid to drink again, I have to remind myself daily the disaster It would be if I screwed up. Its bad enough hubby said I looked a mess having a few puffs this weekend, he said I looked the way I did when drinking. He forgave me, my higher powers are him and my family, even though I see things a bit different being sober this long.

Ripple~
okay today.
:l

[SoCal Betsy]

AF Anyone??

Thank you for the encouragement Cindi! I will dust myself off today.

[NewLife2008]

AF Anyone??

Cuckoo, I'm fine. You're right about posting when your feeling low and it is hard. We all need the support and that's why we searched the Internet and found this site. Sorry to see you were sad. Many times when I get sad, I go for a walk or just get out to be around people. It helps sometimes, other times this wouldn't work, but it was worth a try for me.

I don't know how old you are, but evening primrose or flaxseed oil has helped me with the depression because I've been going through menopause too. Exercise has really helped the most, going for a walk and lifting weights. It's like I channel all my frustrations into the walks (I walk really fast) and the determination has helped me to increase the weight I lift. You probably already know this, but the brain releases dopamine when stimulated through exercises and other activities, having the same effects as alcohol, but without the negative side effects. I've been at it since the kids went back to school in September, I slack a week or two here and there, but I always get back to it and feel great after.

Just to let you all know, things have calmed down with the boys and they don't want to move in with their dad, just want to see him more. I've been trying to work it out through the lawyers for some time and I could list a the reasons why it hasn't happened yet, but it's not necessary. Divorce is taking a toll on all of us and the sooner it's over, the better. Every time something happens like this, it sends me spiraling into the abyss and I come out feeling sad, lonely, and dejected, then I drink.

What is important for me to remember is there will always be these things, maybe not what seems like a daily basis, that will send me spiraling if I let it and drinking only makes it worse.

I read the first couple chapters of the book this week and the story it tells seems so familiar, except my choice of drink was beer, then wine.

Cuckoo, Amelia, Ftjones, Prose, and SoCalBetsy, and everyone I missed, you're in my thoughts.

SoCalBetsy you're in my neighborhood!