Sober October Challenge!

[mollyka]

Sober October Challenge!

Hey Dewdrop, was wondering where you were! I used to think meditation and stuff was 'mumbo-jumbo', I so don't think that anymore. I am learning a few tools - breathing seems to be such a biggie alright. I'm reading a book about 'mindfulness' - not sure I'm quite grasping it, but intend finishing the book and starting it again more slowly.
Isn't this place so important - less so when things are swimming along, but wonderful support - thank you all
Molly

[Dewdrop]

Sober October Challenge!

Molly I'd be interested to know the book you are reading on Mindfulness? One of my favourites on Meditation is Change Your Mind - a practical guide to buddhist meditation by Paramananda which focusses on the mindfulness of breathing and loving kindness meditations. I've also found a CD called Guided Meditations For Busy People by Bodhipaksa really useful when I am distracted and can't settle myself as they are short led meditations from 3 to 8 minutes or you can run a couple together. I sometimes listen to them in my car during the day when I want to clear my head and because they are short they are easy to fit into a busy schedule.

Catch you all tomorrow.

Dewdrop :h

[Choochie]

Sober October Challenge!

Dewdrop this place has done the same for me -- just the contact. I would never have though just "virtual" buddies could make such a difference!

I've ordered some meditation tapes and would love to hear you continue to talk about your experience.

[enja]

Sober October Challenge!

Hey everyone-

Phew... busy, but fun, w/e and today is my 8th "Sober Sunday" :happy: nearly 50 days AF! No time to catch up properly - hope to do that tomorrow - but just wanted to check in and wish y'all strength and good thoughts for the coming week.
:h

[anon]

Sober October Challenge!

Good morning Neart, Molly ,Dewdrop,Choocie, Spinning,J.C. Witchy, Peace Enja, MIE and Choice etc Sorry if I have missed anyone

Glad things are better for your your daughter JC I hope you get everything cleared up for her this week.

Neart what was Saturday like???

Good on you Spinning for the knowledge that enjoying dancing is not enhanced by booze.:goodjob:

Went in a pub at the end of our fabulous walk yesterday and nobody blinked an eye when I ordered coffee funny thing is my heavy drinking friends are often drinking non al drinks around me!
The problem for me is when I get home I still fancy cracking open a bottle of wine-- but as promised by Mollyka the cravings do get less with time.

Molly sorry to hear about your tears on Saturday--Keeps happening to me. I am putting it down to knowing my feelings more clearly.

Mad busy day today looking after Grandchildren and maybe a bit of running.

:thanks:Thanks to this thread I am able to stay AF and when I nearly slipped at 28 days came on this thread and was able to NOT DRINK. At 33 days did have 2 G&T's was able to stop and get back on track because of you lot.

[mollyka]

Sober October Challenge!

Morning everyone, Dewdrop, the book is 'The Mindful Way through Depression', it's by Mark Williams, John Teasdale, Zindel Segal and Jon Kabat-Zinn - there is a cd of meditations with it by the last guy. It's very readable but as I'm a novice at all this I have to really concentrate. My counsellor recommended it and I'm going back to her on Friday so I'd better dip in again! Actually the idea of listening to the CD in the car sounds like a great idea - am on lates today so will have a listen on the way home tonight. Will look for the one you mentioned in the library as well, like Choochie I'd love a bit of guidance and tips for the breathing etc? That'd be brilliant!
Good going Enja - 8th sober sun - feels great huh?!!
Anon, you shame me with all your running!! I went for a walk this morning and felt very worthy - then I click in and you're minding grandchildren AND runnin:nutso:! Actually still a bit gloomy today, definitely this would have been a previous trigger - without a doubt - delighted I have recognised it, discussed it with hubs, and he is so supportive, I feel mean now giving out bout him spilling the wine:H
Have a nice day everyone. Neeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaarrrrrrrttttttt............where are you with the gossip!!!!!
Molly

[Peacefull]

Sober October Challenge!

Happy Monday All,

I had a wonderfully productive weekend around the house, and sleep wow I slept like a baby all weekend, love it :h

I didn't have any cravings and feel strong again, it was 7 weeks yesterday :happy:

Everyone sounds good, especially being able to not dive into a half bottle of wine that is awesome. I went for dinner with friends last week and one had a glass of my favourite wine, I could smell, taste it across the table. It felt really strange, I really, truly didn't think I was addicted, but to have that reaction I had a great time and wasn't craving per se, just that one moment when the glass of wine came to the table, I don't know how I will be around an open bottle as I haven't crossed that bridge yet.

Well, quick check in, getting ready to start the week bright eyed.

[neart]

Sober October Challenge!

I'm back!!! Read back over the posts, seems everyone is doing well. Molly, sorry to hear about the tears - but I actually think they are really important. My acupuncturist says it is very unhealthy not to cry, as it removes bad energy from your body. Anon, one thing you said really resonated with me - the idea of wanting to make up for all the time wasted.

So, I had a brilliant weekend, and am full of smiles now I met up with my friend Saturday and we hung around for the day doing touristy things. I must've "accidentally" bumped into him about 40 times over the day hoping he'd take a hint! So it turns out we both like each other quite a bit, and we decided to stay on an extra day. And I have a "proper" date next Friday!! (none of my exes ever really brought me on a date). I really had the best time - I told him about this site and about giving up AL and he thought this was brilliant, and he was really positive about me going to the meet up in Dublin on Saturday (he's the only one I've told). He's a really, really light drinker - max about 3 pints over a whole night, so it's just perfect. Happy out now and with a silly grin

[Choochie]

Sober October Challenge!

Molly - we may get movies sooner than you - I just don't see many. I know that one (Social Network) has been out here for a couple of weeks - we live a bit of a drive from the city and I usually don't bother. Used to go to lots of movies but went to so many bad ones I kind of gave them up. Molly, I have heard the same thing that Neart refers to about tears - that they actually are healing to the body.

Peace - helpful to read about your "wine smelling" experience. I feel in control at home but know when I go out and am around others drinking that it will be challenging - especially if having a nice dinner! I hope Molly is right about the lessening of cravings. I'd sure like to think I wouldn't have to deal with them at all eventually!

Neart - sounds like you found a good guy - so great that you could be around him drinking and still not crater! Also, really important that he's such a light drinker. Hope you have a super date on Friday.

Enja - will be so happy to be able to say 50 days - contratulations!

John - hope all goes well today.

Anon - I have the opposite problem - am good at home but more tempted in social settings. Not sure which is tougher - guess it depends on how much time we spend where, right? Anyway, looking forward to NOT craving at all. I think mine are lessening, but I am not letting my guard down. Sat at a table at lunch yesterday near some people who were drinking pretty heavily. They were REALLY obnoxious. Granted they were young, but it was still telling about AL!

Dew - keep us posted on meditating - I'm looking forward to starting - should have my MWO tapes within a couple of days.

MIE - are you still with us? Let us hear from you. Hi to Jackie and SJ!

Best to everyone,
Choochie

[anon]

Sober October Challenge!

Good afternoon Well this alleged superwoman is well and truly knackered!!
Did manage a run early and have been running around like a mad woman since I am too old for these little ones! Much as I love them.
Great news Neart He is a lucky fella to have you!
May check in later.

[Spinning J]

Sober October Challenge!

Hiya anon, Dewdrop, molly, JC, Peace, Choochie, enja, neart and any other Sober October peeps ! Happy Monday .
Day 57 today for me and feeling good. So pleased that I could go out and enjoy myself without booze! That was my biggest fear about giving up that I wouldn't be able to 'party' but you can and it's great!
JC I'm glad to hear that your daughter is on the mend :l.
Choocie well done on your 2 weeks AF you must be very pleased.
Neart I'm so excited for you! He sounds cool. You'll be busy next weekend!!!
Peace congrats on 7 weeks AF .
Dewdrop I'm glad you have been talking about meditation:thanks:. It has made me start thinking about getting back into it. I learned Transendental Meditation when I was younger the whole family did it. I'm going to try and get up earlier berofe the kids and try and fit it in then.
Hope everyone has a good week! :h xx

[Choochie]

Sober October Challenge!

SJ - thank you for posting about being able to "party" AF. This is the thing I dread the most -- I'm good at home but think it will be hard being around others who are drinking. I'm trying to get a good amount of time AF before I subject myself.............so good to know it can be done! Congrats on Day 57

[Dewdrop]

Sober October Challenge!

Neart I?m so pleased for you isn?t it amazing how quickly life can turn around and surprise us!! On the meditation front I listen to the short meditations when I?m pulled over not when I?m driving ? not sure if it would distract me from concentrating on the road!! I sometimes meditate when I?m walking on the beach with the sound of the sea which I find easy to do. I also have some meditation cd?s by Jon Kabat-Zinn he?s a bit of a guru so you are getting good advice. Unfortunately I have not found the meditation cd?s from MYO very useful, I find the voice quite irritating and the pace not quite right for me also the sound of the running water makes me need to pee. However, I do know that others have found them very helpful. Everyone is different

I?m off to London on an early flight tomorrow for a couple of days business meetings but hope to log in whenever I can. Tomorrow evening will be another work doo with the usual dinner and free bar so I?ll need my wits about me. This is the third one I?ve had to attend since I stopped drinking and this time I feel quite confident and prepared. I managed the 40th birthday party on Saturday with no problems and it does seem to get easier the more time and experience I get ? haven?t had any AF dancing yet

I?m off out shortly so apologies to everyone for not mentioning you all and I?ll try and catch up properly later. So glad everyone is doing well and hanging in there and even if you are not join in and keep posting please.

Dewdrop :h

[Choochie]

Sober October Challenge!

Dewdrop - thanks for this additional meditation info - am trying the MWO but I've heard this complaint about their tapes before.........too funny about the peeing..........will have to stay near the bathroom I guess.

[anon]

Sober October Challenge!

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