On becoming joyfully AF

[LostSoul33]

On becoming joyfully AF

free at last, thank you for the advice. will do just that. have a great day

[witts end]

On becoming joyfully AF

Hello everyone sorry been away but back and all still good made 20 days

[jenniech]

On becoming joyfully AF

yes, i still struggle. Right now, I have a very big LUXURY problem so I hate to even mention it but what is really driving me crazy is the fact that I do not have a kitchen. We are renovating and are on week 2 of no kitchen sink and no stove/oven. I am sick of take out and I am sick of having everything that once was in my kitchen piled up on my living room.

My son, at this very moment is out drinking and getting high. I know this but I can't stop him. That too is stressing me out but helps a great deal with my resolve not to drink. I mean, what good would I be to him if I did that????

I just miss the outlet. But, then I think about how many years I used alcohol to escape everyday stress. YEARS, not months. I am approaching 5 months and feel really good about that!! There are so many wonderful things that happen when you don't drink. So, even though I still crave it (or rather my disease craves it) I am strong enough to say NO and NOT pick up.

I am fighting this battle and I am WINNING!!!!!!!!

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Hi all, I am resurrecting this thread because I plan to post somewhere daily about my AF journey. I am not looking at counting days, but do want to be accountable to myself and to you all. Would welcome others posting on what was joyful about their day/s.

Today was a victory for me. I asked that the complimentary bottle of wine that comes with my hotel room upon check in NOT be delivered. So, today I am joyful that I had no desire for AL.

[Guitarista]

On becoming joyfully AF

Hi FAL,

Well, it is early Wednesday morning where I am, and I feel great. I don't like being woken by an alarm clock (lol), but I slept well and am ready for action. The day ahead is full of possibilities, and I control what I make of them, and what I create. Oh what a feeling!

This feeling is a direct result of no booze in my system, and being proud of my daily actions to respect, love, and look after myself.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Mr G. you must be doing your best friend.

I have smiled so much over that comment and the subsequent posts. Seriously, you sound joyful.

[witts end]

On becoming joyfully AF

to-days another victory for me 2
day 27 and feeling great

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Let's hear it for daily victories! Woot woot!

[halo]

On becoming joyfully AF

Initially my decision to get help with AL stemmed from my husband hating when I drank. I definitely had issues with alcohol however I refused to admit them, when he would complain , my reaction was "You knew I was a drinker when you married me."

When I finally decided to look for help after some really bad, bad blackout binges, followed by excrutiating hangovers, I was still pretty much quitting for him. He was at his breaking point, and I knew I didn't want my marriage to fall apart. At the beginning of my quit when we would we argue, my thoughts would be why am I even attempting to stop drinking to make him happy when he's being such a _________(fill in the blank with whatever word you call your spouse when you are pissed off). This thought would pass through my mind quite often UNTIL

My joyful moment, which was the day in my quit when I realized I am following this AF path FOR ME, not for anyone else, but for me...That was definitely a truly joyful moment.

[mylife]

On becoming joyfully AF

Free - great idea for a thread. And I do love the idea of being Joyfully AF as well. I have been trying to change my whole mentality about not drinking in the last year.

As Guitarista said - it really is wonderful just to feel good from no booze in the system. I need to remember to appreciate that every day.

Halo - so happy you found that joyful moment. It is great that we are doing this for ourselves. The other thing that is keeping me motivated is that I've been drinking for so many years being a non-drinker should be an adventure of sorts. I know it sounds crazy, but I feel like it gives me a new avenue to see the world through or something.

So, here's my three cheers for daily victories!

[3June2013]

On becoming joyfully AF

By jove I think she's got it. Me, that is. I really am happy that I am a non drinker. I like who I am without AL. I love waking up without AL. Wow a month ago I would never have said that. I was scared of life without AL.

[halo]

On becoming joyfully AF

3June2013;1523994 wrote: I was scared of life without AL.

3June, a very truthful statement, I think we all were and many still are, that is the power of AL. Thank goodness we are finding the tools to no longer feel powerless or fear.

AF will rule over AL :h

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Dear Halo, for me, AL had been the "affair" in our marriage. While my DH was not threatening to leave, he was not happy with how all consuming it was for me. Now, we go out during the week, watch movies (and I remember them!) and life is good. Like you, doing this for me, not him has been a major turning point.

My Life, getting to know this new, or maybe it is old/former me is a new experience for me as well.

3J, you are one of the fastest learners I have seen on this site. You go, girl!

I am joyful because I felt lonely last night when I checked into my hotel, but after some time on MWO connecting with people, I did not feel so alone in this endeavor to rid my life of AL.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Sharing today's victory with you. I was really tired and lonely. Been a long week, in remote places with limited internet access so I wasn't getting the positive reinforcement from posting on MWO. Came back to my hotel room, saw the mini bottle of wine and poured myself a glass. Then, I played it out in my head -- do I really want this? What if I make myself get on MWO and post two times. Before the second post, I had dumped the wine.

So today, I am joyful because I used tools from the toolbox (post, post, and post) and resisted the beast.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

point of clarification -- dumped the wine before taking a sip.