Sober October Challenge!

[Chillgirl]

Sober October Challenge!

Dewdrop you CANT forget JC, she was one of the 1st people to welcome me when I joined :l

You are all doing amazingly and it's so wonderful to see a close group emerging with similar quit dates, you will probably be life long friends!

I can't emphasize enough how much MWO carried me through all the difficult times and still does. I still get drinking thoughts from time to time and almost immediately I think of all the love and support I have got from members here and what an insult it would be to them if I threw it all away.

[witchywoman]

Sober October Challenge!

the bliss of walking up sober

Good morning all:
Choice, Neart, Molly, Dew, Spinning J, JC, Tired, Firefox, Dexie, Mere, PeaceSeeking, ICan, HippyChick, Enya, Anon, K9, FancyC, & CHMGuy3, Chill & anyone else, I cant keep up, we have such a great team.
What i am enjoying at the moment (apart from waking up sober)is the fact that even thought so many of us struggle, we hop online & talk about what we are feeling, i think we should be happy that we can do that, & receive such fantastic support ( i know i have in the past when i have slipped).
Sometimes I thinks its the little things that someone else post's that can make a change. Like for me a couple of things stand out, I think it was K9 that said "no one wakes up in the morning & goes I wish I drank last night" & Enya's "its waaaaay easier to say no to the 1st drink than it is to stop again"
Today is my 10th day in a row at work & I still have 8 more before i get a day off, I could not do this if I was still drinking & i would be still drinking, if it wernt for the support & inspiration I get from all of you guys so i want to to say :thanks: & :l to you all.

Good luck & stay strong
XX

PS does anyone know how Sid & her family are doing, I have been thinking about her & hoping all is going well.

[fluff]

Sober October Challenge!

Hallo! 9 days sober - yowza!
Wish everyone a sober Tuesday evening-
Fluff

[anon]

Sober October Challenge!

I think this an amazing thread. Only just home after a fab day in the hills and then babysitting.
Off to bed as just gone 10pm and I am knackered.
Love to all

[neart]

Sober October Challenge!

Hi everyone!! I don't have the same memory as Witchy so I'm not going to attempt to name names!

Witchy, you are doing great, working away. I have a few days work at the moment which makes a lovely change and I feel more positive, but I think 4 day weeks would be perfect, wouldn't they?!

Hippy, I'm so glad you posted - I've debated posting at times here, and that's usually when you most need to. It is your decision, but I have to agree with everything everyone has said so far! Think how good things are at the moment and how being AF keeps you balanced. I know for me that one of my most favourite aspects of being AF is the fact that I KNOW I can trust myself.

I know that if I go out, I'm not going to make (much of) a fool of myself.
I know I'm not going to have an arguement over nothing.
I know I'm not going to fall over.
I know I'm not going to feel like dying the next day.
I know I'm going to remember every moment and store up memories, not blank, fuzzy hazes.
I know I'm growing stronger and more independent of AL and am becoming more confident, little by little.
I know I'm more fun to be with and a better friend when AF, and that it's only the people who are self conscious about their own drinking that think I'm not.

Maybe if you have your own list, it might help? Doing that just helped me

Choice, I gave up smoking "full time" about 3 years ago, so I just had to quit the (un)social smoking when I dropped AL. Keep with it!

Dextie and Fluff, you are doing great, remember one foot in front of the other and one minute at a time :l

Molly, hope kiddo is feeling better soon. Maybe he just needs tlc - we all do, don't we!

Hope everyone is having a great day - there were loads of other people I meant to reply to but my brain is tired after dealing with 11 year olds all day

[icandothis]

Sober October Challenge!

Hello Team October! I have to say this place CAN get addicting! That's okay, better than the alternative! I'm at the end of my 3rd AF day (really wanted to do Oct 1st, but messed it up) -- and I'm feeling good. Hopefully I'll sleep better tonight! Thanks for the words of encouragement Dew!

I've been trying to replace my drinking time with other activities -- that time would be directly after work -- before dinner...and then on during dinner and after... So I've been going to the gym, walking and I signed up for a couple evening classes next week. They say to change your routine...so like I said earlier I'm pulling out all the stops to try and lick this thing.

You're all a great inspiration on this site -- I can't wait to say I'm ringing in my own 30 days AF!

[Hippy Chick]

Sober October Challenge!

Morning everyone.

I knew I could rely on you to put me straight.

Neart, you are so right, I really needed to post and did think alot about whether to do it or not.
I knew how much energy and enthusiasm this thread has and I didnt want to take that away or lower the excitement we feel here. But then I just had to let you know how I was feeling, that is what this site is for. Good or bad, we have to be able to say what we really feel. That is one of my biggest problems and one why AL was good for me. I always keep things inside of me, not telling anyone how I really feel until I had a few drinks then I could tell anyone how I felt (unfortunately I usually couldnt remember what I said the next day). My husband asks me how I am and I always say "fine" but he knows damn well that I am not fine.
I just have never been able to open up - until now, until I found this site and all you people. I think it is partly because of the anonimity of it, you dont see me, I dont see you, I can take as long as I like in getting what I want to say right by deleting words - something that I cant do in "real" life. But I am learning.
I knew if I came here and confessed how I was feeling, I would get the support I needed, the telling off I needed, the rationalisation I needed. This site is so powerful!! It really is a life saver.
So how am I feeling today? About half an hour ago, while waiting for my computer to load, I was still thinking along the same lines as yesterday, but after reading all your posts, I can honestly say that the thoughts of me having a drink have really faded. Everything you said is SO true. I know I can enjoy mineral water in my glass instead of AL, I know how bad I will wake up the next day, I love remembering everything that happened the night before. So why did I feel I needed AL to make it even more special? Addiction is such a powerful thing.
Anyway - thank you, all of you for your help and the kick up the bum I needed. It is so nice to know that after ten months of starting this AF journey, I can still ask and get the help I so desperately need.
Have a great day.
Hip xxxxxxxxxxxx:h

[choice]

Sober October Challenge!

:goodjob: Hippy Chick! You sound great. Also a big :goodjob: to Tired!! The 30 day mark is such a feel good!! :goodjob: to everyone!!! I can't even keep up with all the wonderful success that is happening here.:l:h It just feels wonderful. I'm still sticking with the smoke free thing... and yesterday was a challenge.. I couldn't drink, I couldn't smoke?!?! I could breath really well, and my head felt super clear. I pretty much wandered around the library restless. At night I tried really hard not to bite my boyfriend's head off for no reason. He is supportive but thinks I'm trying to do too much to fast. He took me out to lunch today and I was sobbing... for no reason. This addiction stuff is rough business. One thing I love though is once I get through a craving it's really gone and I'm alive. I'll feel really relieved. It feels like such a victory. If I remind myself that I'm in recovery I feel much more patient with myself. Again :goodjob: everyone!

[dextie]

Sober October Challenge!

week one

The end of day 2,I have a really bad headache.
I have been reading this site most of the day. You all help by reading the stories.
I know I shouldn't be so hard on my self but its hard.
I talk to my kids all the time about responsible decision making and I at the age of 40 still am making them.
When use to drink I drank beer, things still were not good but then I found red wine.
I found I wasn't getting enough off beer and I would switch to wine and after 2 glasses I don't remember the rest of evening, talking with kids, if I ate or not, talking or fighting with husband. Everything blank!
Why would I want to drink?
I can't stand the things I do or say or the way I act when drinking, why is there a want! ?
The mental way your head plays a game against itself is scary.
I know tomorrow will be a little bit better and one step at a time.
I wish I could go back and not take that first drink.
Well what a well lesson learned.
I don't ever want to go back to day one again.
Sorry for rambling

[choice]

Sober October Challenge!

Sorry your having a rough evening Dextie,

I didn't see what you wrote as "rambling" I think it helps so much to post exactly how you did. :l One thing I do not miss is blacking out. It really scares me that I was and it is one of the main reasons I'm sticking with AF. Blacking out is just so serious because it's dangerous for our brains and we don't even know if we are causing harm to others. (I would fight with my boyfriend and wouldn't remember what I'd said.. sometimes I was mean, and I'm not a mean person).

One thing I noticed is that I started blacking out more often then I use to and with less alcohol. I'm 37 and before I found this sight didn't know that my addiction to alcohol was progressing. My control was becoming less and less. I would have thought that the older I got the more control I'd have. Just the reverse. I know that feeling of being hard on myself all too well. If you can, go gentle with yourself especially in the first few weeks. There is so much physically and mentally that needs to heal. Your doing a wonderful job. :h

[mere]

Sober October Challenge!

A Huge Shout Out to all of the October team challengers!!!! Way to go everyone for hanging in there and supporting me and all of us. I can't believe I've been AF 4 days! It feels so great although very tired - poor sleep last night.
Huge challenge as of tomorrow - head out of state to my grandson's baptisms and there will be my ex husband, his wife and everyone drinks! Won't have a computer so send me positive strong thoughts. I'll post in AM but need to get everyone charged up and thinking in term sof STRENGTH! First time I haven't had too much to drink before getting on the plane the next day to begin a vacation......
Thanks to all and to anyone struggling PLEASE hang in there starting over sucks@

[enja]

Sober October Challenge!

Hey Team!

It's great to see everyone posting, sharing, venting, supporting, celebrating with each other here. Hip, you're absolutely right, this is a safe place to not only celebrate the successes but also give support to anyone who is wavering. :hug: Also I wanted to mention that mineral water is a great drink but perhaps not the most festive - maybe the restaurant/hotel could make you a mocktail? Here's a link to all sorts of yummy AF drinks. Mocktails - The best alcohol-free cocktails :h

Dextie, hang in there, you're doing a :goodjob: Also remember your excellent words, if your AL brain starts trying to sway you....

I wish I could go back and not take that first drink.
Well what a well lesson learned.
I don't ever want to go back to day one again.

:h

[Spinning J]

Sober October Challenge!

Good Morning / Evening to icandothis, mere, HC, enja, choice,JC, dextie, molly, Dewdrop, witchy, fluff, anon, neart, Firefox, peace, tired and Cmhguy3 ( I hope I've not missed anyone)! What a team. Glad to see everyone is doing so well. Hang on in there dextie you are doing great :l. Hi choice not only are we same day buddies (45 today whoop!) we are the same age too! I know what you mean about how this addiction is progressive I have blacked out most times I have drank this year and I am not going back there. I liked Allen Carrs analogy of the 'Pitcher Plant' that we are all (even social drinkers!) at different level on the way to the bottom and by the time we get there it's too late! I've not explained that very well but it is v early! The rain and Hubs getting up for work woke me at 5am! The support on this thread and site is wonderful. Thank you all so much. I felt so isolated and alone with my problems before I found this site. Have a great Wednesday Team!

:l :h xx

[icandothis]

Sober October Challenge!

Good morning everyone! I won't list all the names, I'm afraid I'll miss someone -- but I'm really enjoying all your positive posts!
I'm up REALLY early here -- still having some insomnia issues...hopefully I'll go back to sleep for an hour before work. Oh well, I think someone at AA once told me that lack of sleep never killed anyone, but drinking surely did.
I liked Alan Carrs Analogy about the Pitcher Plant also Spinning. I have never looked at "social" drinkers the same way since I read that book!
Have a great AF day everyone!

[Anjicia]

Sober October Challenge!

Morning everyone this is a busy tread. Well done to everyone on your successes and anyone struggling hang in there as its good that we're all sharing and supportng each other. I have a plumber calling this morning to fix my dishwasher i'm hopeing it won't cost too much or i won't get let down. Hate having to wait in for tradesmen etc. Day 3 for me. Just finished brekkie and still drnking my tropical fruit juice. wishing everyone a good and sober wednesday.xxx