November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

[ladybirdheart]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Greetings! I have my sea legs, thank you Lil. I love the open water and all kinds of sailing ships and adapt right away; it's getting off the boat and rediscovering land that is the problem, once I got wobbly and nearly fell (sober) into a huge display of Lalique crystal. What a beautiful poem, Dill, a keeper, very evocative. Thanks everybody for the talk about positive thinking. My darker moods don't usually involve self-pity, I know I am fortunate, rather I lose myself altogether for a while. Look at things through the wrong filters. I am doing well and as I have added three things (Amoryn, cognitive behavior CDs, and increasing abstinence) my bad science is not sure why but I don't care , I just don't want to drink anymore regardless of my frame of mind. You are doing really well mountaingirl. Hi Sooty and Scrubs, Finding and Red, Lodestar and Emmy. Hi everybody. Love, Ladybird.

[scrubbly]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Ahoy mateys:

Glad to see people up and about...

LBH: Glad you are trying the Amoryn....isn't that the one that Lav has taken for a while that seems to work well? I hope it does the same for you. I had a bout of really bad depression after my first baby and I wouldn't wish those feelings on my worst enemy. :l

Sooty, between your choir, beading, and family history classes you wouldn't have TIME for a paying job! Good on you for finding things to stay busy. I swear that half the battle for me early on with going AF was finding other HABITS than picking up a bottle of wine for spending the evening with.

Dill: I can't agree with you more on the wisdom of Eckhart Tolle. His books have brought me immeasurable peace about the fleeting nature of all situations, about living in the MOMENT and letting go of worry and anxiety, etc. I feel a great sense of peace in his ideas; it's really good stuff. Grab it from the library...it's free and easy!!

Red: I'm so glad your work situation is easing up a bit...knowing that time off is coming has to help your perspective on things. Enjoy and do something nice for yourself to relax.

Lav: Gratitude is SO important. One of the more important things I learned when I first came to MWO (from the "elders" here) is to approach sobriety from a posture of being grateful, not deprived. That I'm grateful to not have a hangover, that I'm grateful not to be in danger of a DUI, that I'm grateful not to be spending a bunch of money on booze....these thoughts are the ruling ones, versus things like, poor me CAN'T have a drink, sad me is the ONLY one without a glass of wine, etc. Positive thinking and gratitude go a long way to becoming a "successful non-drinker" rather than a "resentful, cranky alcoholic who just doesn't drink anymore"...see the difference?

Hi Lilmea, FindingMyself, Mountain Girl, and anyone I missed. Hope you are having a good Wednesday.

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Think I'm feeling a little seasick ~ just kidding

LBH, I have had great results with Amoryn & I'm keeping my fingers crossed you do as well. I dare , anyone to try to take it away from me now......

Scrubs, it's true! I don't feel deprived, resentful or cranky because I am grateful for all of the positive things happening in my life. No, life is not perfect but it sure could be (and has been) worse. I squashed the chatter in my head more than 7 months ago - NO, I will not try to drink again! What for, why would I at this point????
I am not willing to risk my success for a drink.

Dill, I hope you have a great weekend with your Matt! My Matt's appearance was cancelled at the last minute today because my son decided to come home from work.....he works way too much OT (he's a firefighter/paramedic in DC). He needs to spend more time with his little boy, I'm sure they had fun together

I'm heading to bed early......I was up way too early this morning!
See you all tomorrow!
Lav

[lodestar]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Hey there all,

First off, thanks for the responses about smoking. I'm thinking about a little goal with that might be not to smoke in my house at first. I'm not sure when I'm going to do that but the house will be spotless and fresh-smelling Friday, so maybe then. We shall see. I think I'll wait a bit before going smoke-free, but I'm pondering it. It is so encouraging to see the quitters (haha)!

The part about gratitude for being AF really resonated with me too. I love that line of thinking, because the "deprived" thinking a crappy way to walk through life and it doesn't work. My therapist loved that one and told me she was going to share it with some other clients who were struggling, along with MWO. That makes me happy, because I have so much more hope now and I know others can find it too.

Long day at work and I need to do a bit more reading here, so I'm gonna have to catch up tomorrow.

Blessings to all & I just love the cruise! :l

[my song]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Good evening all, Forgive my lack of manners for cutting right to my question but I am troubled by something. Went to the drs yesterday and was advised to not go cold turkey. Kind of scared the bejeebers out of me. Did any of you have to wean off of the al and if you did, how did you do it? I have another appt with an addiction doc next week. Kind of made me feel a little down cause I want to do it now, but I am afraid to do it. HELP!!!

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

My song, I have heard of many people who have weaned off al. Don't stress out over it. I personally did not have to go that route, but I have read many threads on here over time of people who did it and posted on their progress. I have no idea how much you drank, but I drank close to 1.5 litres of wine almost every day. I did not have any trouble just stopping. (Well, I mean, I've had a great deal of trouble stopping!!! But I mean no terrible physical withdrawa!) Like I said, try not to stress over it, as that won't help a bit! If you have to wean off, so be it! Best wishes.

[mountaingirl]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

I'm loving this ship! Let's keep navigating towards many more positive days for all of us. I must hit the sack so I can wake up early for work. I am so grateful that I have not had a morning in 9 days where I have been hungover Feels pretty good. Hope I can keep this going. Nite all- Peace

[lodestar]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Mysong,

As I so often do these days, popping in for a little read and saw your post. I'm new at this AF thing (a week tomorrow), but I did cut down before I stopped. I stopped cold in mid-October and then felt scared because of the shakiness and ill feeling, while by myself. I decided to adjust my diet and sleep first with someone around and cut down. Made a big difference for me and when I went AF last week, I felt pretty good quite quickly. Everyone is different and I only know my own experience, but I hope you don't feel too discouraged. Take good care of yourself and be safe. Did your doctor help you with a plan to wean off or suggest any medications to help?

Oh, and, seems to me just perfect to cut to the chase with your questions! It is really brave to do what you're doing (me too, all of us) -- hang in there and you will have a different perspective in no time. You seem really motivated for change!

Wishing you all the best!

[redhibiscus]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Good morning.
Mysong, you are right to be troubled. I have read on this site of people who had severe withdrawal symptoms (seizures) and it is nothing to play around with. You can do this but it may be best to either withdraw with medical attention or with a plan and someone there, like lodestar explained. I am not trying to scare you but encourage you to be safe.

I am pleased that this thread is continuting to help not only the originals but more people at every level of recovery. THis is serious business and sometimes I tend to forget just how serious.

Just work today and getting ready for my trip. Was busy last night doing laundry and chores around the house. Trying to wake up currently and don't have a good topic to start the day. Take care being AF today.:h

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

I never imagined that the greatest achievement of my life would be peace of mind.
--unknown

Ahoy!

Red, when you are on your trip, will you be able to check in? Let us know. I'm excited for you. You seem like you need this break, especially from your work.

Lodestar, you sound like you are doing well! Has it been difficult going AF for you? When I first started this site, I wanted to go AF, but at first all I could do was a day, maybe two, then cave in. It took me several tries to get past day 4!:H But, with persistence, I did it! Each of us have our own journey, and mine has been one of frequent relapses. I refuse to give up!

Mountaingirl, I'm glad you like this ship. This crew has kept me on course, or yanked me back when needed and I am forever grateful!

Here is a link to the Tool Box thread for any 'newbies' than haven't seen it yet. It is a great resource.

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f1...box-27556.html

Soots, I am going to have to follow your example in a couple of year and find new outlets. Right now, I have at least two more years before I can retire. My work keeps me active and engageged during the day, and my evenings are fore me. I am really working hard to set this new AF habit pattern whilst I am still working because I fear I would just drink away all that freedom when I retire and I DO NOT WANT THAT! Beading sounds like something I might like to try. I will keep it in mind!

LBH, I was in a very dark mood yesterday afternoon and thought of you! But only because of your use of the word "doom". Thinking of you brings a smile to my face, usually! But, that was such a descriptive word for how I felt. I am now referring to my dark mood as the "cloud of doom". Perhaps Lil is right that it is related to the grief of letting go of an old familiar habit ( will not say "friend" as we all know alc was no friend to us!). Or perhaps it is just a dark mood that I would have treated with a healthy dose of alc. I really don't know. But, I managed through it and soldiered on!

Lav, I am glad your son got some time off to spend with Matt. Boys need their Daddy time! My DIL gave me Matt's very first school pictures last weekend. I have been showing them to all my friends. He looks so CUTE!

Scrubs, I'm curious: Did you "read" the book, or listen to it? I started out checking out The Power of Now, by Tolle, from the library. I tried reading it, but it seemed like nonsense to me. Then, I gave it another chance, this time listening to the audio version. It was a home-run for me. The author reads it himself, so it is much easier to understand the meaning. I enjoyed that book so much, I then got the New Earth, again on audio.


Calm seas ahead for today!

[lilmea]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

"...As time goes on, you will fully embrace life without acohol...Even Embrace it!!!"

I borrowed this quote for a long termer. I hope they don't mind, but it gave me such hope and wanted to pass it on.

my song-I tapered down on my drinking before I stopped. I switched from vodka to beer (I don't like beer) then I tapered down from the beer. It's important to set a stop date and stick to it. I stopped on a week end when my HB was here with me. I also set up my work schedule so I had the following Monday off. My first af day was also the first time I posted on MWO. I stayed very close to this site. I don't know what your drinking habits are but I was drinking almost a liter of vodka a day. It was still difficult for me but it is do able. Don't frett to much, you can do this.

Mountaingirl-Congrats on 9 days. You can keep this going. Just hang in there.

Lodster-Congrats to you too on a week. It was such a relief for me to get that first week in!

Red-Have a great trip! I am enjoying this visit with my daughter. It's just nice to get away sometimes.

Dill-Did I read where you are going to have your grandson this week end? That should be fun!

Lav, LHB, Scrubby, Pam, Sooty, Finding, Cyn (hope I didn't forget anyone) have a great af day!

[lilmea]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Hi Dill-cross post!

[dill]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Lil, Thank you so much for that joyful quote. It brings me hope!:h

[Lavande]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Morning Navigators!

I never imagined that the greatest achievement of my life would be peace of mind.
--unknown

Dill - I love it
I think we need to learn to ignore the dark moods........I've come to realize, like anything else they come & go!!!

Lil, I am embracing life without alcohol! Best part is the feeling of self-control

Greetings to red, lodestar & mountaingirl.....so glad you are making progress on this journey!!

mysong, I sort of did a weaning thing myself over a period of about 2 weeks, maybe less. I was anxious to be rid of it too. I had no physical problems, just tremendous fear of how I was going to face life AF! Turned out all that fear was really unwarranted because I am handling things just fine. The AL had truly clouded my thinking & judgment skills. I am so happy to have my mind back

Sooty, greetings to you as well, I'm sure you will be stopping by soon!
Have a great AF Thursday everyone!
Lav

[sooty]

November Navigators ~ AF -Week 1

Hi everyone, lovely to see you all and so glad you're all aboard. Weather is cold here today and heavy rain is forecast for tonight so hopefully it won't interfere with all the bonfire night celebrations. I'm staying in tonight, no fireworks for me - can't be doing with all the oooohing and aaaaahing!! Much prefer to stay in and keep warm - boring old Sooty that I am.
Dill - beading is a good activity for keeping one AF - it keeps your hands busy and its a very difficult thing to do if you've had anything to drink .... all the beading magazines advertise the most wonderful stuff available in America so you probably have access to much nicer beads than I do. Its a fairly new thing over here in the backward UK - my friend is taking a trip to New York in a couple of weeks so she's going to buy me some real American beads .... I'm so excited.
I hope everyone has a lovely day, humpday was ok for me - had a nice meal with old workfriends, i got a bit bored with all the work talk but the food was nice. I had some funny dreams though - I'm sure that was the result of eating later than usual.
See yous all later my friends
Sooty