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[Yourfriend6116]

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Thanks Sam and gratitude! I do exercise every day. I also do daily activities with my kids. I've never been a real hobby-person. Maybe the drink stopped me from being able to ever have one. I've thought of training for a 10 k? I've done one a while back, but the goal setting could be good. Thanks again!

[spiritwolf333]

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YF -There are so many different ideas and opinions on this topic it is amazing. And it so varies by the individual. One thing is for certain though, at least for me, and that is this; I had (and still do) have to change what I was doing and how I was doing it. It was always suggested to me that if I got out and helped others, then I would spend a lot less time thinking about myself -ha, what do they know?

What I did find for me was that if I was comfortable turning right onto a road, I started making myself turn left. Everyday, for several months, I had to change the ways that made me feel comfortable -just to realize it was all going to be ok somehow and that I could then go with flow regardless of direction.

The biggest thing for me at that point of the recovery game was that I had somehow gotten back to a stage where I loved learning new things. I became a learning-olic. My mind did not want to be distracted by anything -including alcohol. Ipad in one hand and open road kept my mind busy -and I felt like I was on purpose. And maybe that is what all my rhetoric is saying; finding a purpose and diving in -pre baclofen, my only purpose was to drink and not run out.

[skullbabyland]

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spiritwolf333;1612503 wrote: YF -There are so many different ideas and opinions on this topic it is amazing. And it so varies by the individual. One thing is for certain though, at least for me, and that is this; I had (and still do) have to change what I was doing and how I was doing it. It was always suggested to me that if I got out and helped others, then I would spend a lot less time thinking about myself -ha, what do they know?

What I did find for me was that if I was comfortable turning right onto a road, I started making myself turn left. Everyday, for several months, I had to change the ways that made me feel comfortable -just to realize it was all going to be ok somehow and that I could then go with flow regardless of direction.

The biggest thing for me at that point of the recovery game was that I had somehow gotten back to a stage where I loved learning new things. I became a learning-olic. My mind did not want to be distracted by anything -including alcohol. Ipad in one hand and open road kept my mind busy -and I felt like I was on purpose. And maybe that is what all my rhetoric is saying; finding a purpose and diving in -pre baclofen, my only purpose was to drink and not run out.

I can relate to this- in my current still-new sobriety I've suddenly become interested in all manner of things I never cared about. Health, fitness, sculpture, gardening, self defense, sustainable/clean food and nutrtion, cooking, even sewing/leatherworking, all sorts of stuff. When I was drinking I would never have even considered them as options for fun but all of a sudden I find them interesting. Even if I never do much with these other than domestic life, I enjoy the pursuit of learning, to someday be a Jack of All Trades...

[Yourfriend6116]

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You guys are great! I love to read and have been doing way more reading which I couldn't do while drinking (even though I tried...I'd forget everything I read!) but I like the fitness an other ideas to start to learn about. I guess it's just getting used to the freedom of doing stuff and not being held back by hangovers or a drunk brain. It's a very weird, liberating, but scary feeling.

[spiritwolf333]

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skullbabyland;1612919 wrote: I can relate to this- in my current still-new sobriety I've suddenly become interested in all manner of things I never cared about. Health, fitness, sculpture, gardening, self defense, sustainable/clean food and nutrtion, cooking, even sewing/leatherworking, all sorts of stuff. When I was drinking I would never have even considered them as options for fun but all of a sudden I find them interesting. Even if I never do much with these other than domestic life, I enjoy the pursuit of learning, to someday be a Jack of All Trades...

Skull, what is so strange about this phenomena with me is that I am still quite intrigued with so much. I love being a "Jack of All Trades" except that it is a hindrance when it comes to paying the bills. Furthermore, once I got started on this new found love for learning, I created lists -lists upon lists, of all that I was discovering. Hell, my wife thought I was, once again, going insane. I still keep my list today -everyday. Writing down something new I learned or discovered. I was never this way when I quit drinking -cold turkey, so to speak.

I also remember both Kronk and NE commenting about this "wanting to learn" phase. I am just so grateful that it is still with me. It keeps my mind entertained and thoughts of alcohol at bay.

[spuddleduck]

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friend, I too am one of the lucky ones that have a zillion 'hobbies', im another jack of all trades. trouble with that is though I spread my 'talents' so thinly im never that good at any of them. there is a thread somewhere with 100 things to do to fill the extra time now you're not drinking but I cant find it. I think jackieclare may have posted it. ive been doing everything from woodcarving to painting by numbers and origami.... just for the hell of it, and even just being on here can fill in more time than I have to spare. hope you find something that floats your boat. im sure if you asked the question on the general discussion someone will post the 100 things for you.

[DreamThinkDo]

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Spuds and Spirit, here's the link

https://www.mywayout.org/community/f9...ing-53608.html

[Jazi's Mum]

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Hi Yourfriend, I haven't stopped by for a while. I'm so glad you are doing well with the baclofen. It never ceases to amaze me to read the stories here of people who see such a difference on it.

Things are going well for me too, racking up a few AF days, which I have not had for a long time. I find I'm thinking about this a lot though. Guess this will pass as I get used to the bac and NOT DRINKING becomes the new normal.

DreamThinkDo, thanks for posting the link to the list - amazing!!!!
JMum

[skullbabyland]

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spiritwolf333;1613000 wrote: Skull, what is so strange about this phenomena with me is that I am still quite intrigued with so much. I love being a "Jack of All Trades" except that it is a hindrance when it comes to paying the bills. Furthermore, once I got started on this new found love for learning, I created lists -lists upon lists, of all that I was discovering. Hell, my wife thought I was, once again, going insane. I still keep my list today -everyday. Writing down something new I learned or discovered. I was never this way when I quit drinking -cold turkey, so to speak.

I also remember both Kronk and NE commenting about this "wanting to learn" phase. I am just so grateful that it is still with me. It keeps my mind entertained and thoughts of alcohol at bay.

Totally agree- like YourFriend, one other thing I found super enjoyable was TONS and TONS of reading, mostly about all the other subjects I was interested in learning. This eager-to-learn phase was one of the most enjoyable (and surprising) elements of getting sober. I thought everythihng would be boring, grey, and blah for the rest of my life. I truly did. I was very pleasantly surprised when after a few weeks the learning phase appeared and I decided to just go with it. So far, I'm still in it and it keeps me pretty well engaged (and distracted from thoughts of drinking).

YourFriend, how ya doin today? You're at Day 17 or so, right? Hope all's well with you my friend

[Yourfriend6116]

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Hi Skull!! Thanks for stopping by! Yes, day 17! Every Friday, I do get anxious cause I was used to getting all hyped up for the weekend because of drinking. Now I try to get excited about the weekend cause I can enjoy the days and not feel overwhelming guilt for drinking too much and not being 100% for my kids-who don't deserve a hungover mom. It's a process...
DreamThinkDo-thanks so much for that list...I plan on "drinking it up" this weekend. : )
JMum-I read your thread daily and I'm so happy for you and your daily progress. Thumbs up!
Spud--MWO is taking up a lot of my time, also-but I know i'm learning tons and getting lots of positive thoughts and ideas in my "bank" to refer to when I'm having a tough time.
Thanks again to everyone!! I could have never got 17 days AF without MWO and baclofen to stop my alcholic mind from controlling me.

[Jazi's Mum]

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Hi Yourfriend. I just re-read your thread from the beginning. Quite amazing how you have progressed and how good you sound. Please keep checking in and saying how you are doing.

Baclofen is just such a great idea. I wish more people knew about it, and more people would take a chance on it.
JMum

[spiritwolf333]

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Rock on YF -17 days is huge. And wow, not having to plan for the weekend drinking or how to get back on your feet for Monday?

[Yourfriend6116]

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HI All!!
Day 20 AF and I've gotta be honest, it's been a tough day. When I was planning out how to explain what's really made my day so "bad" or "tough" it sounded like a bunch of dumb-ass "first world/rich people" shit so I'm going to just say that I've had a lot of triggers today and I've managed not to drink-however I only think it's because I've made the promise to myself not to drink in January--"make it an AF month" and all. (insert cheerleader emoji). I've even looked up some AA meetings to go to (big deal cause the last time I went to an AA meeting when we lived in Canada it was full of people drinking mouth wash to get drunk--different strokes..but it wasn't working for me).
Everything is annoying me and I just wanted to vent. But I'm worried about what will happen when I have this day on Feb. 18...or March 10...etc, you know? Thanks everyone.

[Juan BH]

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Hi Yourfriend-

I think MWO will be available on Feb 18 and March 10 for venting Nice job on the 20 days, btw! I really dislike AA too, but I'm going to try to get a meeting in this week... maybe tonight. Hang in there. January is 2/3rds of the way over already.

[Jazi's Mum]

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Hi Yourfriend. Sorry you are not having such a great day. How's the baclofen going? Side effects? Should you increase a bit to help? I think Dr. Ameinsen took the odd 10mgs when he felt he was having a tough day. Have you considered that?

Looking forward to reading your posts!
JMum