I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

[Juja]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

K9Lover;1230378 wrote: Hi Juja,

Please don't be embarrassed or ashamed to post anything (as long as you're comfortable posting it). Sometimes I feel embarrassed...I've been here a long time and have major stretches of sobriety (over 260 days in 2011)...so when I post that I'm having doubts or "thoughts", I kind of feel like a failure. But guess what? Neither of us are failures, because here we are...still trying, and still determined to kick this Beast in the A$$!!!

Now you go out there and get that grocery shopping done, and give the wine aisle the bird while you're at it. That stuff is poison and will never be your friend.

Never feel bad about what you consider a "failure", we've all been there, many times over. The important part is to keep trying...you've only truly lost this battle when you give up.

And remember: A craving never lasts as long as a hangover.

Now go get 'em!

:h
K9

Thanks, K-9. Shopping done--no problem. It is SO nice to feel happy and energetic like I do today, as opposed to yesterday's depression.

I did hear the voice after my errands were finished--reward!--and reminded myself it was only a voice, nothing else. It worked, and I will try it next time.

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Still on track and hope everyone is feeling strong today! Please don't feel embarassed Juja. We have all been there.

[scottish lass]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

ARGHH! - before my drinking got out of control, I really enjoyed wine - we live by Napa Valley, and spent many fun days wine tasting - I had a favourite red wine that was really expensive and I enjoyed it on a rare occasion. So......why am I sharing this? I have had a really bad year personally, but managed to do well professionally - my CEO called me into her office today and gave me a bottle of this fantastic, expensive red wine - to say thanks for beating all goals inspite of a bad year. I really, really, really want to drink it - giving it away, throwing it out - any of the options apart from drinking it just don't appeal! I cannot believe this!!!:upset::upset::upset:

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

SL - I too was given a bottle of wine (by my hairdresser no less) for xmas. I am giving it to someone else.........It has been sitting in my pantry waiting for xmas day when I'll take it to the dinner we're going to next Sunday. I'm proud of myself for not opening it, and for feeling like it can just sit there without my opening it! Even as recently as a few months ago, it would be gone. So, baby steps........and eventually I'm hoping that many other things that seem challenging will just be non-issues.

Sending you peace, strength, and congratulations for being stronger than the voice in your head that wants you to drink that drecktitude!:goodjob::goodjob:

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Still checking in here.......where did you all go? Hope those of you who haven't posted recently are still doing okay.

[scottish lass]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

I am still around unwasted! Totaly unsterstand your comment about feeling proud about having AL in the house and not drinking - I still have the bottle and am comfortable to have it without opening it - a huge achevement.
I do need to admit that it is getting harder and harder to be AF just now. I am pretty amazed at the number of memories and associations that I have made with AL and teh holidays - there are so many times when drink just feels normal and part of teh process and it doesn't feel "right" without - I am struggling, but hanging in! 26 days today.....I will manage this so I can start 2012 strong!

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

SL, I think there are so many feelings associated with the holidays - both good and bad. It makes sense that our brains revert back to reliving all of that stuff. It's a new world to be sure - not always easy. I'm hanging in there too........just trying to think differently about it all!!

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Checking in today in the hopes that SL and others are still achieving their AF goal of being sober through the rest of the year. Be strong everyone!

[scottish lass]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Hanging in Unwasted - how about you? The girls and I went out for a long walk this afternoon - 5pm and settling, thinking about it, but not doing it!!!!
Hi Chak - you going to join us??

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

SL, I think Chak is spam.

I'm hanging in but the strangest thing - I did an exercise today and evidently screwed something up royally in my leg, so I'm up at 2 a.m. Not happy, but what can I do? Just wait it out and hope it heals.........I know exactly the exercise that did it........Stupid of me, really........ Oh well, haven't had any alcohol, though. That's the good news. This thread is eerily quiet, so I'm guessing people are struggling...such a hard time of year because of all the booze flowing..........

Anyway, hope you're able to ride the wave..........

Strength to all.:l

[Nelz]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Juja;1230521 wrote: Thanks, K-9. Shopping done--no problem. It is SO nice to feel happy and energetic like I do today, as opposed to yesterday's depression.

I did hear the voice after my errands were finished--reward!--and reminded myself it was only a voice, nothing else. It worked, and I will try it next time.

I know it probably sounds trite, but, that voice in your head does in fact get weaker.......I try to picture it as a person out in the desert. At first it is strong, and can be convincing, telling you it FINE to go ahead and drink.

As we make the brain walk the hot desert floor, without its lifeline, its knees start to buckle and waver, and it is needing its AL badly.

The longer we walk without feeding it, the more it starts to shrivel up and not have such a stronghold on us....then, our "normal" brain can take over guiding us. Pretty soon the words I dont drink become rote.....and very believable.


Good for you, now keep walking and lets choke out that AL and watch him vanish!!

[scottish lass]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Rode the wave - pretty amazed today, I am now 28 days AF, and shocked at myself! How about the rest of you - ready for the NY???

[Juja]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Congrats SL, Nelz, and unwasted! Hoping to get my head where yours are....it's still a mystery to me.

Somehow or other I can't find the will. I'll keep on keepin' on.

[Unwasted]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

Day 42 for me - yea -- pretty exciting stuff -- not without feeling down at times, but worth it! Makes me feel sure that I can swing it for NYE also!

Juja, just keep at it. It took a lot of tries for me -- not without frustration and agonizing but finally it seems different. Crossing my fingers and toes anyway.

Way to go Scottish Lash - so happy for your success. You are sounding really positive.

Hi Nelz, nice analogy......

[Herbie]

I'm starting my rest of the year sober challange today!

hi all... I had wine both Christmas Eve and Christmas Evening. I am poundering why,,, I think I just wanted to see if I could... moderate as they say.... drank more than I planned to Christmas Eve but on Christmas Day.. stayed on plan. I don't think I will turn to moderating at this point... up until the 24th I was at 44 days AF and felt great so I am going to cont to add more AF days to my total. If I would have stayed on plan on the 24th I may be considering modding... so I think I need more AF time to figure out if I even want to try modding again...Congrats to all you you who stayed AF over the holidays