On becoming joyfully AF

[NoSugar]

On becoming joyfully AF

Great post, Free.

From the people ahead of us, I get the impression that the occasional temptation never goes away but that the frequency diminishes to the point of not being a problem as long as we can stay alert and not trick ourselves. I've had a couple rough patches in the last 4 or 5 weeks but overall, I'm bothered now much, much less than in the period of time on either side of 100 days. Actually, I think I tend to over-react when I do have that addicted voice messing with me because I'm so used to it being gone. I think we just need to learn to recognize it for what it is immediately, dismiss it, and move on. It's a good goal, anyway !

And, not all of us have such easy, open access to alcohol to contend with like you do. You are a very strong woman - I am so impressed with what you've accomplished without the luxury of burrowing in a Dry Hole for a few months like I did.

:h NS

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Thanks, No Sugar, for your kind words. I think we each have a tough row to hoe. I have a supportive husband and no AL in the house but constant free booze whenever I am away from home. I greatly admire those who can overcome this addiction while having AL in the house and a partner/roommate/spouse who drinks. In my mind, they are really remarkable.

Off to the hotel lounge where I will walk past the booze and snuggle up with a seltzer water and lime and a good book over dinner. That's sounding joyful!

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Feeling oh so happy to be living an AF life. Life is good, now time to call it a night.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Today is the start of 77 AF days for me. It's been over six months that I have been REALLY trying to remove AL from my life. These past 77 days, while difficult, have given me a glimpse of what my life was like before I allowed alcohol to become center stage. I remember what it is like to feel joy, amazement, curiosity. As hard as this journey is, I am so glad to be plodding along on the AF path.

[NoSugar]

On becoming joyfully AF

Things get so much easier when you're glad to be doing them rather than trying to do them. Even when I've been worried about upcoming situations recently, when I've actually been in them, maintaining an established pattern seemed normal - even easy. I think we really are creatures of habit. The trick is to develop the habit of not drinking. Since habits supposedly require 21 days to establish, 77 days are great! .

[halo]

On becoming joyfully AF

Very, very proud of you free!!! :l

The fact is that you are doing everything to make you successful, taking the AB I believe is a sign of strength because you are really listening to yourself and are in tune with what you need..I am doing well

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Thanks, No Sugar, for the encouragement. More and more, I find I WANT this to be my last quit.

Halo, thanks, too, for your stawart support. How is the trip going? Glad to hear you are well.

[corgipups]

On becoming joyfully AF

I'm (wittsend) with you free this will be my last quit

i'm also greatful for all the support you have all given been a great ride

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Wittsend! Corgipups,
How great to hear from you. I know you had computer trouble -- will take me a while to get used to your new name. You, too, have come a long way. Bet it feels pretty good, eh?

Warmest,

[dryer]

On becoming joyfully AF

HELL Yeah, I see Free at last all over hi fivin, send out the vibe. Thanks alot for helping all of us.

I feel good about the quit too. It is real sticky man, you know what I mean vern.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Thanks, Dryer, for your kind words. When I encourage others, it also helps me stay motivated. Heading out for the airport soon--happy to start day 78 joyfully AF.

[Quakegirl]

On becoming joyfully AF

Free, you are such an inspiration to me. I travel a lot, too. While I had easily given up drinking in airport lounges, hotel club lounges are tough for me. And long haul business class...I don't know how I will do that. It's always been such an escapist treat. It feels like the stupidest thing to hold onto, but honestly, it's the thing I dread doing sober, the most.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Dear Quakegirl, I know how hard the long haul flights are and how tempting it is in delve into the "zone" especially while flying business class. I am on planes at least four times a month (7-8 hour flights each). During the period of March to July (before I went on AB), I took at least 16 international flights (8-12 hours) all AF. The hardest part is getting the first no thank you out of your mouth. Then, once you've done one flight, you can do another and another. But yes, when I boarded a plane yesterday and saw the opened champagne I had a tinge of longing. But then I said "no thanks."

In July, I started taking Antabuse (am taking one 125mg tablet every 7-10 days) because the mind chatter was getting to be too much and my travel schedule will not let up until Dec, possibly May. Since July I have been on 12 international flights. In several cases the AB would have been out of my system and I it would have been "safe" to drink. But in each case I chose not. It is starting to become a way of life for me. And, I can hit the ground running even faster than before.

You'll even remember the cheesy movies you watch, or in my case movies I saw 15 years ago because I have seen everything on the Recently Released menu, and am now reverting to Classics.

You can do this. You just have to start. Let me know how it goes.

[free at last]

On becoming joyfully AF

Arrived this afternoon at the conference site I am participating in. Because I didn't realize there was a new, third choice of ways to get here, I spent 8 hours in transit yesterday, overnighted in one city (couldn't sleep, new hotel for me) then up early to get to the airport, only to encouter delays and more delays. Decided to practice meditation in a crowded VIP lounge with sports channel blaring. Finally in the air, and the hostess is doling out the AL--no thanks, but I thought about it. Again practiced deep breathing to quiet my mind while the guy next to me drank several small bottles of red wine.

Arrived at hotel to find my reservation was not made by the gentleman I had been emailing with. There is a room tonight, but not the remaining days. Will have to find somewhere else to stay in a city with limited hotel accommodations. While at the ticket counter I started thinking about heading straight to the pool and having a glass of wine. Realized I was hungry so went to the pool, but ate.

Saw the spa and thought "hmmm, think about alcohol all night or get the double extra cellulite removal massage." Logged onto MWO while waiting for my massage appointment. While heading to the bar for my decaf latte to take to my room, I run into a work colleage who is eating dinner, working on his second glass of red wine. I looked at his glass and had no desire for wine. None.

Now, what got me through a tough day? Meditation, Food, MWO, treating myself to something special, not wanting to blow this quit, not wanting to tell MWO friends that I caved. Whatever gets you through the momentary craving.

I am so grateful for this day. Thanks to all for your support to me and others on this journey.

[Quakegirl]

On becoming joyfully AF

Hi Free -thanks for the words of encouragement. I just need to look at it differently, I think. It's great to hear from somebody else who's been there...and continues to go there. I won't be 'tested' til next month, so will be interesting to see how that shakes down..

Gosh, you did well with all of your recent travel dramas. There's something about that combination of many moving parts, all out of your control, and away from familiar people and places, that makes it so easy to lose resolve. And travel is such an escape, anyway (even if it is work), that it's easy to see it in sort of a vacuum and say 'to hell with it'. You did so well holding onto your intentions and remaining clear headed.
Hotels are hard places to be, if you're trying to live a business-as-usual sort of a life, because they really are set up for hedonism and to encourage us to just throw away our usual inhibitions. What you described is so familiar - and it's like walking through a (800 count) minefield. I love your idea of giving into the urge for some indulgence in a constructive way (the massage)...I'm gonna note that one down on my list of coping skills. Thanks for sharing all this - it really does help me.




PS it sounds like you need to fill up an ipad with your own movies etc!