Abstinence Challenge

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Abstinence Challenge

StuckinLA;1578445 wrote: Adult maturity is never enjoyable! How dare you perpetuate these lies!

Though come to think of it, I stay in a lot... But the weird thing is that I get out more now that I *don't* drink. I used to just sit around in my apartment, or even just my bedroom, and drink. Now I actually go places - like all those cool bars that I was always too drunk to go to? Yeah, I check all those out now and it's a lot of fun.

That's pretty much my experience. I have to admit that for the last couple of years doing things the way mature adults do them was so novel I have really enjoyed it. Mostly. :H It has led to some pretty fun grown-up-things-to-do.

I definitely get out way more than I used to, and do a lot of really fun things that I just used to think about doing. Today I'm going to a benefit and auction at the modern art museum. I've bought tickets to this event at least 3 times in the past and never been able to make it because I was already drunk by Sunday evening. The theme is brews and stews (beer and...stew), but I won't be drinking anything because I have too damn much work to do. That doesn't faze me in the least! I'm just happy to have a fun break from the work.

My husband has taken the "find a hobby" thing to a whole new level recently. We got a kayak, which he takes out every spare moment. (Even when I wish he wouldn't! grrrr. I'm hoping his enthusiasm dies down a little bit. Soon. ) And has decided to take up kite boarding.

But anyway. I'm not in the best headspace right now. A little bit depressed, I think. Definitely feel bored and out of touch with other people on a daily basis, but still do WAY more and have more friends and fun then I ever did drinking. And the not drinking part becomes completely beside the point after a while. Hang in there!

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Abstinence Challenge

Is this the thread where people were talking about being bored? I wanted to chime in on that...

I think I figured out that for me, boredom is not related to a lack of things to do. There are always things to do. Most of the time there are even fun things to do. But if it doesn't make my mind spark, it doesn't feel "worth it." And sometimes, my mind isn't sparkly.

But most of the time, I find that if I just feckin' Do It, particularly when it involves other human beings, I feel...better. Accomplishing laundry does not have this effect. Spending money definitely does, though it's not for the poor of bank account. (Which we soon will be if I keep spending money! ha!) Video games/computer time? hmmm. I am not so sure about this one. Feels good, yes. (and btw, I've been playing video games since Donkey Kong was in arcades, and they definitely work for me. I refuse to get sucked into the new-ish ones because I'm afraid I will lose my soul. They are ah-mazing. anyhoo...) I can lose an entire day online. This is lovely and I think I actually learn a lot when I spend gobs of hours reading stuff. (The new-age Encyclopedia Brown? Yes. I'm old. Look it up. ) BUT it doesn't feel good after the fact.

I am not sure what will, for me, for the long term. But if I find something, I'll let you know...And if you find something, please post, posthaste! Especially if it doesn't involve getting wet. I'm not a fan of that much to Ed's chagrin. (Actually, that works out pretty well for us... But we're looking forward to getting a canoe.)

[StuckinLA]

Abstinence Challenge

Kite boarding looks AWESOME.

EDIT: Also, I'm departing for a week down in San Diego this afternoon, so may/may not be around much. Unfortunately taking a ton of work with me, but I'll be doing that work poolside with... something approximating a blended drink with an umbrella... in my hand. Assuming I don't slip up between now and then, it'll be 6 months AF on Saturday. Talk about BORING! :H

[Ne/Neva Eva]

Abstinence Challenge

StuckinLA;1579741 wrote: Kite boarding looks AWESOME.

EDIT: Also, I'm departing for a week down in San Diego this afternoon, so may/may not be around much. Unfortunately taking a ton of work with me, but I'll be doing that work poolside with... something approximating a blended drink with an umbrella... in my hand. Assuming I don't slip up between now and then, it'll be 6 months AF on Saturday. Talk about BORING! :H

I know, right? I can't decide if I'm going to get over my fear of sharks enough to actually swim in the bay (?! no sharks in there, ftr.) and do it with him. They're closed for the season, so I don't have to decide until the spring.

Have fun. Poolside and umbrella drinks make work less work-ish. Maybe? And early congratulations, not-so-Stuck. THAT is AHmazing. Truly.

[Lo0p]

Abstinence Challenge

I've been thinking about being a male escort for a very looooong time. But I'm far from bored. :upset:

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Lo0p;1579910 wrote: I've been thinking about being a male escort for a very looooong time.

I was wondering if the EPB was still on tap over there

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 4 AF

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

Ne/Neva Eva;1579522 wrote: Is this the thread where people were talking about being bored? I wanted to chime in on that...

I think I figured out that for me, boredom is not related to a lack of things to do. There are always things to do. Most of the time there are even fun things to do. But if it doesn't make my mind spark, it doesn't feel "worth it." And sometimes, my mind isn't sparkly.

But most of the time, I find that if I just feckin' Do It, particularly when it involves other human beings, I feel...better. Accomplishing laundry does not have this effect. Spending money definitely does, though it's not for the poor of bank account. (Which we soon will be if I keep spending money! ha!) Video games/computer time? hmmm. I am not so sure about this one. Feels good, yes. (and btw, I've been playing video games since Donkey Kong was in arcades, and they definitely work for me. I refuse to get sucked into the new-ish ones because I'm afraid I will lose my soul. They are ah-mazing. anyhoo...) I can lose an entire day online. This is lovely and I think I actually learn a lot when I spend gobs of hours reading stuff.

I totally relate to a lot of this. The mind-spark is something I tend to actively chase, while ignoring all the non-sparky boring stuff. But I usually feel a deeper sense of satisfaction, and less underlying anxiety/guilt, when I tackle a bunch of the boring stuff head-on. Even laundry n stuff being put away does help me with feeling calm.

Speaking of, I'm off to do a bunch of that now. Getting my life in order, even and especially with the boring stuff, actually feels really good. Adult life skills and all that.

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 5 AF

[neophyte]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 4 AF

Skull, I totally agree about needing something to spark your mind. I find that exersize can help. its hard to motivate yourslef but once you start doing something, you get that endorphin hit and the rest of the night seems a lot easier. I've got an exersize routine im going to follow that will have me doing exersize of some kind every night.

[neophyte]

Abstinence Challenge

at 240mg a day, i think ive hit my switch. I realised it last night when i just didnt even think about alcohol, when i did, i just didnt care that i wasnt going to have any. totally indifferent it seems.

It's a strange day to admit this, i always fantasised that reaching the switch point would be this great moment of realisation where i would say to myself, yes, i dont think about alcohol anymore. i dont have to white knuckle things anymore and hope that in 2 long long years the obsessions will be over.

It's strange because, its no watershed moment, i just dont care about alcohol anymore. theres nothing special, its like ive just removed the voice in my head to drink and thats it.

[Juan BH]

Abstinence Challenge

Yeah, it was pretty much the same for me Neo. I just realized one night that I didn't care about alcohol anymore. That was 4 months ago and nothing has changed. I am very happy for you!

[kronkcarr]

Abstinence Challenge

Neophyte,

Yay! Funny, that's the way it was for me too. One day I just had the thought that I hadn't had the alcohol thoughts. Good for you.

[skullbabyland]

Abstinence Challenge

Day 6 AF

[Lo0p]

Abstinence Challenge

Nobody thinks my jokes are funny. I hate this thread. :upset: