Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

That's awesome El!!!!! Drinking solves absolutely nothing! It creates problems, it doesn't take them away. It's better than good enough that you didn't drink last night. I bet you feel so much better today because you didn't drink. Think of the days where you're hungover vs. not. What differences do you feel? When we wanna drink, we have to think of the consequences that go along with it. First and foremost is that we can't just have one, so we're going to drink too much. What happens when we drink too much? Then what happens to our sleep? Then what happens the next day? Then how does the next day turn into the same cycle? How does that affect our bodies and minds? I could go on and on but I'll stop there. Try and reflect on these things and what the whole cycle of just having one will bring.

[daisy45]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Eloise, that deserves a cheer, not a sigh! Concentrate on what you are doing well.....bet there's loads!
J-vo, good post - steaight to the point! Says everything we need to hear if any thoughts try to invade our sober headspace......

[Eloise]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

thanks for the support ladies... much appreciated. i just finished a nice art lesson, gosh i do wish i had more of these lessons. really helps so much, as much as your kind messages really.
in the past when i stopped drinking i had to ask for anti depressants to get me through.
seems very clear to me how i get into that cycle- no wine, anti-depressants, no anti depressants then i start to drink again. not good. not good.

thanks so much for your support daisy45 &j-vo.
helps a lot.
time to clean up and face going home.

'wine makes things more difficult, not easier.'
'it does matter that i choose not to drink'
'my long term mental & physical health matters a lot'

strength to us all ladies.

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

:cheering:kudos::cheering:
Daisy, You're right. El deserves a cheer! And :goodjob:

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

El, I've been on anti-depressants for a really long time. Just recently, I've noticed a huge difference in myself and my depression has lifted. I went to docs this wednesday and I'm going reducing one of my meds, and he said after that, we can work on the anti-depressants. So, this was huge for me and I'm so glad to begin to have the confidence in reducing them. Maybe being away from alcohol for a good while does that and our brains become naturally balanced. I believe that. Glad you had a great art lesson!

[Eloise]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

day 56 for u today j-vo? i think so. congratulations!
i think i feel better than yesterday, but not 'better' just better than wanting to jump off a building. an okay start to the day i guess?
thanks for mentioning ur experiences w/antidepressants... time, yes, we need to give ourselves some time.
it is kind of amazing that something that can cause such problems, and is so addictive, isn't sold with warning labels... like cigarettes. yeah, don't drink if ur pregnant... pass that bridge when/if you come to it.
i think if that was the case i would never have started with it in the first place.
i never smoked or did drugs because i knew I could be starting a life long problem for myself. why would i ever want that?
ugh.
very cool u are starting to reduce your meds.
i am going to push myself to go out this afternoon. too much time alone isn't good either.
glad i didn't drink anything last night.
starting with one means the bottle anyhow, must keep that in mind. one more day... time....

[NoSugar]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Eloise;1664388 wrote:
glad i didn't drink anything last night.

Just this is worth whatever discomfort you feel the night before, Eloise. It is worth doing whatever it takes to feel this each morning . (And especially when you consider that you'll be more than merely unhappy if you do drink - you'll be sick, ashamed, disappointed, and afraid). Keep going and like you said, just take it a day at a time. All the best, NS

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

So true, NS. The GSR bros in full force makes that next morning hell. It's so wonderful to wake up refreshed and rested.

El, glad you're feeling a bit better than yesterday. It's all about baby steps. And this is a baby step in the right direction. Yep, that one turns into a bottle really quick, doesn't it. No warning labels on this addictive poison unfortunately. It's the cool thing to do! Just like it was cook back in the day to smoke! And both my grandparents died of lung cancer. And my aunt. And my other aunt. My FIL died of cirrhosis of the liver, and alcohol kills just like cigarettes. It makes me so mad to know that it's glamorized everywhere. It pisses me off. Sorry to go on a rant, but it does make me mad that something that kills so many people is still thought to be the cool thing to do. Anyhow, gonna get my day started. Hope you have a great one, El and NS.

[Eloise]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Yup, 7:30 PM & doing okay. Spent a few hours in Amsterdam, Van Gogh museum...first visit. Nice time. Just what I needed. Best thing about this land is the museums & flowers.
Know what ur saying about the 'alcohol glamour.' Every other advert on TV is for some kind of booze. Impossible to avoid the wine section in the supermarket- end caps all over. First thing you see at the entrance- wine on sale Whoopie!
Not to be negative But... Ate some Ben & Jerry's last night, which seems pretty harmless at this stage.... Comparatively speaking I mean.
Hope ur day is going smooth ladies... Quite tired over here. Tomorrow might be a little easier still??? Lets see, going to be happy with today I think.

[Rahulthesweet]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Eloise,

I was in amsterdam just last month. I was there on weekend I was there on weekend and turns out everyone was parting and drinking. I enjoyed too but not the drink ... next morning (early) jogging !!

See pictures here : First few pics are from Amsterdam and rest from Minsk.

Trip To Europe 2014 Photos by rahulthesweet | Photobucket

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

El,
That was certainly a nice idea to visit the Van Gogh Museum! How cool to be able right there and see that. I know you're into art, but don't know what type, although I'd probably not know the difference between styles, but I'd love to learn if you ever want to give me a little lesson here and there.

El, every single day gets a bit easier until you wake up one morning and it's not the first thing you think about. It's kind of like magic. But what it's not going to go away, our thoughts won't be all-consumed with it. That'll leave time to enjoy other things, think of other things maybe we haven't for a long time. Give ourselves a little love. What I do know is that you're heading in the right direction. Be gentle with yourself, but at the same time, you need to continue to be tough and push those thoughts of thinking just one, because we know that end result isn't just one. Someone says, "If just one, then why not none?"

Rahul, I've been following you and the trip details and I'm so very happy for you! Such a wonderful experience and what strength you showed throughout. You really got to experience your visits with both eyes open literally. I used to have to do the one eye shut to see at times...That was such a big, well, I don't want to say "test" but huge freaking milestone for you. I'm going away at the end of the month to a resort in Mexico. Most of the people I'll be with know I'm not drinking and a few do not. Now, I'm not concerned with the who doesn't as I'm feeling more and more confident everyday.

Have a great night.

[NeedMoreInformation]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Hello All

Brand new member. I found this site when I was seeking information on declinol. Any info you have would be greatly appreciated. I drink only at night and maintain a full time job, but I think I have a problem:new:

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Hi Needmoreinformation,
This is the place to get information, for sure, on alcohol and drinking. Please join us in the Newbies Nest. The link is in my signature line. I also have a link to the toolbox which has loads of great information. So glad you joined MWO!

[Eloise]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

Again - helpful words J-vo! It is helping that I continue to focus on the fact that one wine will become a bottle & the struggle starts again. Not worth it. And its just a few hours I need to get through, it is not like I drank from morning until night. The supplements help with the anxiety.
I am most interested in representational art from the renaissance onward. The Netherlands is a great place to be in terms of art, amazing!
Cant wait for all these heavy thoughts of drinking to start to disappait.
This time is easier than my earlier attempts at quitting I might add.

Rahul- yes Amsterdam is a party city for sure. In summer people drink on their boats while cruising the canals. Nice pics, thanks! Good luck to everyone today.

[j-vo]

Just Starting Out...for the thousandth time

El, you're doing the right thing. Whatever that witching time is for you, those few hours, fill that time with something else you enjoy. Anyone can get through a few uncomfortable hours. And the thing is, you won't have to concentrate on those few hours for the rest of your life. It takes doing the work now to get through it, but later it will dissipate to the point of your not even thinking about it. Time is key here, El, and you're doing it. Addiction is a tricky little beast. The longer you're away from it, the easier it becomes until it's not even a thought anymore. But complacency is a part of the beast. Don't ever get too comfortable and think that it's ok to have that sip or just one. Tricky!!!!! But Doable!!!

Representation Art from the Renaissance! I'll have to look that up!