11 Days Sober - First Timer

[free at last]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Gosh 3J, how the time has flown. If I remember correctly, did you once write about having alcohol in the house and wondering what to do with it? I think NoSugar and I both wrote -- get rid of it. Wow, you jetted down this path and never looked back. Rocking, I'd say!

[dryer]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Rock it 3J, show us how its done!!!!!!!!!!!!

[lifechange]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Congratulations, 3June!! I've been following your thread since I've been back and am so happy for you on your journey-- that was a great list that you posted. So many positive rewards in such a short time-- very well done!

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Thanks you guys!

Free at Last yep you're right. I gave it all away and still make my son leave his booze in his bedroom, although I'd rather he didn't have it at all.

I find it sad when I see people who can't get through a day without a drink now. Not here, because that's why people are here in the first place, but in real life. Teenagers and college students especially worry me. I know we all had to experiment but how many of them will develop alcoholism before they realize it's gotten a hold of them?

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Lateral Move

Who got called in to the boss's office and offered a cushy new job? Yes with weekends off, day shift, and hopefully a move up in the near future? Wooooooot pumped like you wouldn't believe here!

[free at last]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Wonderful! Do you think being AF contributed toward this promotion? Perhaps you were better able to handle stressful situations? More clearheaded? Just wondering.....

Congrats!

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Free at Last I was wondering the same. I am more confident, I am healthier, happier, fitter.... Could be it shows!

[dryer]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Congratulations, even more money being saved

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Happy Thanksgiving

It's Thanksgiving weekend here in Canada. I think we treat it a little differently from USA. We are all about the harvest, and giving thanks for the bountiful earth. This year I have a huge amount to be thankful for but I really think most of it stems from being AF.

So I will take this opportunity to thank you. Thanks for taking the time to read my posts, to add your words of encouragement, for being honest with me when I needed to hear I was delusional. Thanks for sharing your stories with me and opening up, it gave me the courage to do the same. Thanks for not prying when you knew it wasn't time yet. Thanks to a special someone who provided me with her email address and got me through my first social event where I was stressed to the max about being AF. Thanks for always being here and for showing me that life without AL isn't scary, it isn't boring and it isn't unattainable. Thanks for teaching me that one drink is absolutely pointless and that it will never be one drink anyway. Thanks for the tips on taking in all the calories I needed for the first month.

I really never tried quitting before with any determination. You gave me that and I will always be grateful.

I am an alcoholic, yes, but I am a recovering alcoholic. You taught me that I need to leave the shame behind and hold my head up high.

So from the bottom of my heart, thank you. I hope I can help you or someone else the same way.

[NoSugar]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

You've been an asset to this place from the moment you arrived! Sometimes when I wasn't feeling mentally tough, I would read your determined posts and think, well she hasn't even been doing this as long as I have so I can be strong, too! -- Not competition but inspiration!

Sometimes Newbies feel like they are totally on the receiving end but I've found that not to be at all true. I'm learning from people at all stages everyday.

I sure am glad we both somehow stumbled upon this place :l !

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

[free at last]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Dear 3J,
What a great post. We all have so much to be thankful for, especially the knowledge that it is possible to beat this addiction and live a healthy, happy, and meaningful life. Thanks to you for the inspiration and encouragement you provide.

[Darkest Diamond]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

Inspirational

Just read this entire thread and found it utterly inspirational, thank you for writing it!

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

dd glad you are able to take something from my story. I have never felt better in my life and if I can help someone else get here that's awesome!

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

135 DAYS $1607.29 SAVED

According to my iphone ap I've saved over $1600. I am betting that's a low estimate. I think I used the calculation of 3 drinks a day at $4 a drink. That was based on about a bottle of wine a day at home. But that doesn't include the drinks while out, where a glass of wine costs $7 easily. So I am sure I've saved more. I can't say I see it in my bank account but at least it is being spent on something that makes me feel good (hair colour, nail polish, massages LOL)

I feel a little lost in the nest these days. There are so many new faces and the posts are tough to keep up with! Still I pop in now and again in hopes of encouraging someone to stay the course. If only they could feel for one day what it feels like to be totally rid of AL in their systems they would know that it is worth every uncomfortable moment to get there.

If you're reading this and struggling hang in there, it only gets better!!

[3June2013]

11 Days Sober - First Timer

My Birthday

So I turned 55 today. It is Monday, a long but not too stressful day at work. A year ago I would have been drinking tonight, like any other night only I'd have figured I had a good excuse being my birthday and all. But this is day 141 and I don't drink any more. Thankfully. I love my AF life and I wouldn't trade it for all the tea in China...or all the wine in Australia for that matter. So happy birthday to me. The greatest gift of all is being drug and alcohol free. Well unless you count caffeine but hey one vice at a time eh?