Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

[prettytulip]

Hello everyone,

I'm new to My Way Out and I'm just hoping
for a little support and advice as I'm not sure
I can do this on my own. I've tried before and
even went to a couple of aa meetings (but the
higher power references didn't sit with me), but
ended up drinking again after two weeks.

The main problem is that I like drinking and
I can't imagine a life of sobriety...dinner without
wine, celebrations without fizz and no beer on sunny
days- it all seems a little bleak.

Alcohol, however, certainly doesn't like me so I need
to find a way to end this abusuve relationship before it
destroys my life. Alcohol has been my `best friend` for
half of my life (im 32) and i'm not quite sure how to do
this. I drink most days, and once i start i don't stop until
i'm drunk. I often have blackouts and my behaviour when
drunk is terrible. The cracks in my marriage (all connected to
my drinking) are widening and i worry that I'm going to loose
everything.

I hope that you can offer some advice and help, and i hope that in
time i'll be able to support and inspire others xx

[Byrdlady]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Gosh, Prettytulip, I would swear I had written this! You have landed in a GREAT spot if you are serious about getting your life back. I drank seriously for half my life, but I'm a lot older than you! So if an old hag like me can get sober, I know a prettytulip like you can. Where do you start? Well, take a look at the Newbie's Nest, the link is in my signature line below. There are people there in all stages of his/her quit. There is safety in numbers! We have lots of success. Once you get there, read back a week or 2 to get to know us. Go to the last page for the most current posts. Also in my signature line, see a link to the Tool Box, in there, you'll find 100's of tips and coping skills to help you thru these first challenging days. I know you are scared...I sure was too...how to give up this friend of mine seemed impossible...until it wasn't. Please don't be scared....there is nothing to fear...what's really scary is if this doesn't stop, right? Welcome aboard, and we are so glad you're here! Byrdie

[halfway content]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Hi, prettytulip,

Welcome to MWO. I am new here too and I have one week AF under my belt, which is quite an achievement for me. My advice is to have a plan and then give it a try. For example, I decided that March 11 would be my start date. Three weeks before that date, I began to taper off by measuring every ounce that I drank. I followed MWO for months and then finally got the nerve to post. Posting has helped me tremendously. Good luck to you.

[spiderwoman]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Hello Prettytulip, the advice and support here is brilliant, the Toolbox helped me heaps at first, still have a look there now and again. Treat yourself kindly until you get used to this new way of life, its absolutely worth it. Best of luck

[Mootsbill]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Hello pretty tulip. My advice to you is one day at a time. Try not drinking for a day, 2 days so on. Look at it like this, if you are drinking everyday think of the damage you are doing to yourself so for health reasons quit for a couple of weeks, whilst doing this drink lots and lots of water with lemons in, take supplements you can find lots of advice about that on this site. Find something to fill your evenings films? Books? Magazines? Cooking etc. eat lots of good food and chocolate.
See how you feel as time goes on the benefits are amazing.
Don' t think about furture social events or parties just take it one day at a time and spend that time thinking about what really is important to you.
I've been where you are and last I've spent the last few years fighting sometimes well sometimes not so well. But what I've learnt is that if you don't try you won't know ;0)
Maybe see a doctor if you think your drinking is due to any underlying depression or anxiety.
Good luck you've come to the right place xxx

[NoSugar]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Not much to add other than :welcome::welcome::welcome:!!!

Hope to see you in the nest, PrettyTulip! NS

[halo]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Pretty Tulip,
I am new to trying to be alcohol free (AF) as well, I have finally committed to follow the AF path after finally facing my demons head on, like you my abuse of alcohol has lasted half my life and was causing major problems in my marriage, like you I finally decided I had enough and joined this site. After reading through some posts and visiting the newbie's nest, I knew that this site would provide me with insight and the support I need to finally become alcohol free and live a better life.
It's hard to do it alone, there are many people here that provide so much wisdom and I am finally listening. Check out the newbie's nest and come check us out at the 311 gang, there are a bunch of us on our seventh day of being alcohol free. Best of luck to you, :welcome:

[free at last]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Hi Pretty Tulip,
Welcome and there's a group -- the 311 Gang who started a path toward sobriety on March 11th. We try to check in every day and encourage each other. You are welcome to join us, there's usually a daily thread in the just starting out section.

I, too, find it hard to imagine a life without alcohol, but after 7 consecutive days AF, and 20 out of 25 days AF, I am beginning to see the benefits of not drinking. Do whatever you can to get through the cravings -- meditate, breathe, yoga, workout, post on MWO-- the main point is the cravings will disappear and you will feel better in the morning after a night without alcohol.

[prettytulip]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Thank you all so much for your support...it is a great comfort to me knowing that I don't have to face this alone. I know i have the full support of family and friends but connecting with people who are fighting the same demon really is empowering me. I spent hours looking through the site this evening and found some great advice...i can do this, you've inspired me to believe in myself!

Like you Byrdlady, i feel like some of the posts could have been written by me. I've just been reading a thread about the glamourisation of alcohol and realised i too am a sucker for the way alcohol is portrayed in the media! This image of drinking being sophisticated really has to go; i just have to remember what a mess i used to get in after a few drinks!

My husband has gone to bed and I'm going to celebrate my first day of sobriety with some sinful calorie loaded treats and make use of my beautiful new notebook (i'm a sucker for nice stationary!)- starting with my plan and filling it full of advice for those difficult times.

Thank you all and congratulations on your sobriety-I'm delighted for u all and proud to be a part of your community
X

[mylife]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

:welcome:Hi pretty tulip! Welcome. You will find great people here who understand exactly how you feel. Stick around!

[Nelz]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

prettytulip;1479188 wrote: Thank you all so much for your support...it is a great comfort to me knowing that I don't have to face this alone. I know i have the full support of family and friends but connecting with people who are fighting the same demon really is empowering me. I spent hours looking through the site this evening and found some great advice...i can do this, you've inspired me to believe in myself!

Like you Byrdlady, i feel like some of the posts could have been written by me. I've just been reading a thread about the glamourisation of alcohol and realised i too am a sucker for the way alcohol is portrayed in the media! This image of drinking being sophisticated really has to go; i just have to remember what a mess i used to get in after a few drinks!

My husband has gone to bed and I'm going to celebrate my first day of sobriety with some sinful calorie loaded treats and make use of my beautiful new notebook (i'm a sucker for nice stationary!)- starting with my plan and filling it full of advice for those difficult times.

Thank you all and congratulations on your sobriety-I'm delighted for u all and proud to be a part of your community
X

Wonderful! Day one in the books..set some close goals....next one 7 days, then 30 days, then 6 months, pretty soon you will be at one year. Life without AL is much better than it EVER was with it. Trust me

Oh, here's your first recognition and small award for what you did.
Next one comes at 7 days

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[TheSunFlower]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

You really are creating a new life. I have learned the hard way.....that everything I feared....was not all that bad. I finally reached that point.....where drinking was harder than not drinking. I keep that mantra in my head.

[prettytulip]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

Thanks nelz!!! I'm proud of completing day one and look forward to getting to seven days!
And thanks for sharing you mantra sunflower, its great to have these tips for if times get hard

[prettytulip]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

DAY 2

Well, day 2 is well underway and it's proving to be quite a tough one so far. I have no cravings or urges to drink but i really am on an emotional roller coaster. I feel quite low and tearful and memories of drunk nights keep coming into my thoughts and bringing with them a sense of doom and shame. I have a couple of hours before work though ( i work evenings which i usually hate but is now a blessing!), so i'm going to try some of the tips and try to keep a positive attitude.

Any advice on how to let go of and move on from this old life will be greatly appreciated

[kuya]

Day 1... first day of the rest of my life

There will be time enough for self analysis later. These first few days just focus on getting sober, be kind to yourself, eat well and lots......being full stops alcohol cravings. Drink plenty and try and rest even though actual sleep may be difficult for a while.

Try not to beat yourself up, we are all simply human beings doing the best we can. Don't be hard with yourself for choosing a route you now regret. I am sure your life has many successful choices also.