30 Days . . . . Why?

[rivergirl22]

Hi all! Just starting out! Or I should say restarting. Have tackled this on and off for several years. Have watched my drinking steadily increase instead of getting a handle on it. For now I want to do 30 days AF and then attempt to mod. April 15th is my start day. Anyone want to join me? Why??? 30 Reasons to take this journey:

Alcohol is changing me . . . . and not in a good way.

Any thoughts?

[DSLR]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Hi river, :welcome:. Why not join us in 'Aiming high for April...' I didn't start until the 3rd April anyway and others have joined along the way, so you will be good company!

Good luck anyway, you sound like you have made 'that' decision and will stick to it, good for you :goodjob:. It isn't easy I have 13 days today and this is the longest I have gone AF for over a decade, but definitely feel better for it so I think it is worth everyday of trying.

Looking forward to hearing how you are getting on river, take care and have a great day where ever you are.

[Jolie]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Rivergirl - :welcome:

Good for you - I've been exactly where you are many times and your positive attitude is a huge step in overcoming the AL beast! 30 days AF is absolutely the best way to go. For me, the end of 30 days was a real eye opener as I just wanted to keep going. My last couple attempts to quit had me hoping to moderate but it just won't work for me. One glass will never be enough if I can't get that buzz so why bother?

Good luck to you and hope to see you over in the newbies nest!

[noodle]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Hi Rivergirl!
You're sounding really positive and 'up for it' well done to you x Alcohol did little to enhance me or my personality either, looking back it sure caused a lot of health and relationship problems, not to mention the effect on my bank balance! Nice to meet you, you're in great company on here xx

[damo180]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Bestof Luck Rivergirl.
30 days is a good goal to have.
After 30 days , you can take it from there and hopefully you will decide to continue for longer.
Its difficult and the cravings can be trying, but you CAN do it, and the rewards are well worth it.
Stick close to this site for lots of advice and support.
Even though its early days for me AF, I can honestly say its probably the best decision I have ever made.
I have never felt better.

All the best.
Damo in Dublin

[leaveinsilence]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Hi Rivergirl

I like that 30 reasons why sentiment, I think we all have at least 30 reasons why and we've all been there so we know how it feels.

30 days is a great place to start, it feels achievable, for me it was the first time I'd gone longer than a few days without drinking for twenty plus years, but 31 days this time round felt even better so like Damo said you might just want to carry on, yes it's hard but it does get easier and I honestly don't want to be that Mom I was again.

Stay close and take all you need from here..

Lee:l

[rivergirl22]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Hi all!

Thanks so much for all the responses. Funny when I posted yesterday I was not feeling optimistic but you all have buoyed me up!! :thanks:

I met with my spiritual director yesterday and told her I thought this was getting to be a problem . . . .first time I have said it out loud to anyone. Told her my plan to go 30 days. Afterwards I felt so much more committed. She called me courageous . . . blech . . won't buy courageous . . . but does make me feel more postive and less ashamed! I have tried 30 days MANY times over the last few years. For the first time I feel very confident I can do this!!! Actually it is more like I WANT to do this!!

30 days . . why? To stop feeling like I felt yesterday . . . . to be the mom I know that I am . . . to feel all I am meant to feel . . . . and see all this great world has to show me. OK I know it is day 2 and I am being a tad bit dramatic!!! Counting on that to carry me!:H

Leaving today for spring break . . taking my youngest to tour some colleges. Will not be near a computer. Looking forward to hitting the posts when I get back.

Happy Spring!!!!!!!:h

River

[Doggygirl]

30 Days . . . . Why?

rivergirl22;1098674 wrote: Alcohol is changing me . . . . and not in a good way.

Any thoughts?

Hi there. Can I ask you a question? If alcohol is changing you in a not good way, and you have tried to control your drinking in the past but things are getting worse and not better, why do you want to try again to moderate? What do you believe will be different this time?

I had a long struggle with that question myself.

DG

[vintage girl]

30 Days . . . . Why?

rivergirl22;1099398 wrote: Hi all!

Thanks so much for all the responses. Funny when I posted yesterday I was not feeling optimistic but you all have buoyed me up!! :thanks:

I met with my spiritual director yesterday and told her I thought this was getting to be a problem . . . .first time I have said it out loud to anyone. Told her my plan to go 30 days. Afterwards I felt so much more committed. She called me courageous . . . blech . . won't buy courageous . . . but does make me feel more postive and less ashamed! I have tried 30 days MANY times over the last few years. For the first time I feel very confident I can do this!!! Actually it is more like I WANT to do this!!

30 days . . why? To stop feeling like I felt yesterday . . . . to be the mom I know that I am . . . to feel all I am meant to feel . . . . and see all this great world has to show me. OK I know it is day 2 and I am being a tad bit dramatic!!! Counting on that to carry me!:H

Leaving today for spring break . . taking my youngest to tour some colleges. Will not be near a computer. Looking forward to hitting the posts when I get back.

Happy Spring!!!!!!!:h

River

River, I am so full of admiration for the part that I highlighted. I can admit my problem to myself and the good people here, but to no one else. I am 74 days sober, no one has questioned me and I have told no one. People are used to me not drinking at social occasions because I would always be afraid of being drunk in front of people and take the car... (knowing that I could get a few when I got home of course!)

Even my husband doesn't know that I have been worried about my drinking. He travels for work and that's when I would really go for broke. He knows I drink, but not that I have a problem with it.

The reason I am telling you all of this is that if you have actually opened up to someone and admitted what you are feeling, that is a huge step.

I never thought I would do 30 days. I did. And then doubled it, and now I am hoping to treble it. Because it feels so good.

Do the 30 days, one at a time. You will be amazed at how good, and strong it can make you feel.

[RedJib]

30 Days . . . . Why?

^^what Damo said, above. 30 days is a great way to approach it, then review (hopefully renew?) your commitment. And what he said about it being the best decision he ever made? Me too! Even with the rough patches, the rewards are worth it. This is the best I've felt about myself and my life, ever. You will never regret doing 30 days AF; go for it.

[rivergirl22]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Doggygirl,
You are EXACTLY right. It is likely that moderation is NOT an option for me. As good as I feel right now, at the end of 30 days I may just keep on doing what is working. I have been AF 8 days with little or no cravings. I feel really good and have been really enjoying being around people and all the things I used to do with AL but I know I need to take it one day at a time. At the end of 30 days I will regroup and make a decision. I have in the past been successful at limiting settings in which I drink and will plan to broaden that limitation. I know that if I try to moderate and it does not work this time that it is the last time I will try and I will look for a more substantial support network for abstinence. But first things first .. . . 30 days will be huge for me. Thank you for your wisdom. I have followed the posts thru the years and you are always an inspiration.
Rivergirl

[rivergirl22]

30 Days . . . . Why?

Red Jib,
Thanks!!!!

Vintage Girl,
I know exactly how you feel!!! Funny but in the midst of my post my eldest daughter walked in and I minimized the screen. Not quite ready to share with my family. Have had a conversation with one of my daughters very vaguely saying that I have had problems on and off and why she needs to be careful as she gets older, etc. etc. Told her I was currently taking a break from drinking. Have not talked to my husband. Saying it out loud to even one person makes it real and really makes you accountable for change. It also gives you someone to talk to and vent to and share with. When I spoke to my spiritual director I did not really plan it ahead . . . just came out with it. It was a hugely positive experience and has really kept me on track. Funny but I am so tolerant of everyone elses struggles but SO ashamed of my own. Why are we like that??

Rivergirl

[RedJib]

30 Days . . . . Why?

rivergirl, great news! 30 days sounds like a long time at first, but it really does 'zing' by. Good to hear that you've shared a bit with a family member about your struggle, too. I'm all for that, no matter how we 'frame' it ("alcoholic" "problem drinker" whatever... It doesn't matter if we just allow someone trusted to know the path we're starting on when deciding to change our lives.) The crowd here at MWO is 100% behind you, too. Stay with your goal; it's worth it!
Jib