Newbies Nest
Hi Friends, some great discussion here today.
On cravings, I found the following strategies to be very helpful: urge surfing (google it for details), distraction and snacking. Also the concept of the witching hour, which many of us experience. These techniques will work if applied at the right time. I spent hours my first week in my garage re shaping a wooden tool handle and then sanding it very smooth and finally finishing it. It was very manual and mindful work, maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but we can all find something to take us out of the intensity of the moment and refocus the brain. It is a special tool for me now when I use it!
The good news is that the intensity of the early struggle diminishes with time. If we put in the work, we will be rewarded. Trust the process and put the time in. I have never, ever read a post on here titled: "I'm two years AF and this sucks..." I am not holding my breath for that one.
When I was a teenager, I used to lie down on a porch swing at my house, listen to the birds and experience a deep calm. I remember it very clearly. In my late teens, I began drinking and it was like someone suddenly turned up the volume on a track of mind chatter. This lasted until I quit. I now have moments of a really quiet mind again. When I was in the midst of drinking, I wanted that back. That feeling is worth so much more than any crummy buzz.
We can all dig deep and push through the craving, even when the other voice is doing its thing. Everyone here has the requisite strength. The proof is that we all researched alcoholism or quitting drinking, made an account and started posting. That is a huge uphill step against this thing.
Thanks to everyone for posting today, it made a great read! Have a great AF day.
Hi Friends, some great discussion here today.
On cravings, I found the following strategies to be very helpful: urge surfing (google it for details), distraction and snacking. Also the concept of the witching hour, which many of us experience. These techniques will work if applied at the right time. I spent hours my first week in my garage re shaping a wooden tool handle and then sanding it very smooth and finally finishing it. It was very manual and mindful work, maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but we can all find something to take us out of the intensity of the moment and refocus the brain. It is a special tool for me now when I use it!
The good news is that the intensity of the early struggle diminishes with time. If we put in the work, we will be rewarded. Trust the process and put the time in. I have never, ever read a post on here titled: "I'm two years AF and this sucks..." I am not holding my breath for that one.
When I was a teenager, I used to lie down on a porch swing at my house, listen to the birds and experience a deep calm. I remember it very clearly. In my late teens, I began drinking and it was like someone suddenly turned up the volume on a track of mind chatter. This lasted until I quit. I now have moments of a really quiet mind again. When I was in the midst of drinking, I wanted that back. That feeling is worth so much more than any crummy buzz.
We can all dig deep and push through the craving, even when the other voice is doing its thing. Everyone here has the requisite strength. The proof is that we all researched alcoholism or quitting drinking, made an account and started posting. That is a huge uphill step against this thing.
Thanks to everyone for posting today, it made a great read! Have a great AF day.
Most of mine doesn't fit anymore if you want the truth, so there's another reason I'd been missing seasons. I betcha that cutting out the AL and soda will help with that, too, though!
Comment