What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

[Nicky]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

Hi - I had a day off work yesterday because I had the usual bad weekend - upset everyone and especially myself. I got onto the site and the desire to drink last night just vanished. I exchanged the wine for this site and got so absorbed in reading all the posts and still finding out how it all works. Tonight is day 2, so we started on the site together. Perhaps we can keep going on this journey together and inspire one another. I felt so proud of myself this morning, and tonight, but the weekend is coming and my husband is going away for a week - so I will need some real strength and I am going to use this site and the encouragement from everyone here to see me through. Sometimes we come to crossroads in our life (you have heard this before) and the road we choose can change our whole life. I choose to walk along the scenic road with flowers and beautiful colours, not the one spiralling down the mountainside to a sure 'crash' at the bottom. Hey! Wasn't that inspirational! I think I will start writing a book. Chin up, think of this site as your substitute for the empty feeling when you don't have a drink in your hand. Hope this helps - I don't know you but am all the way away in Australia.
Nicky.

[Mohun]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

Well,

I like not having to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom.
I like that I stopped snoring (so does my wife).
I like that my sleep apnea has stopped.
I like that I have lost almost 20 pounds.
I like spending time with my kids again, they are not quite as annoying as before. They must have changed LOL.
I like how much time and energy I have to get things down around the house and outdoors.
I can look at myself in the mirror again without the loathing.

Mo.

[curepool]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

what i love the most about my alcohol free life is that i can face my family without being ashamed. and that i have more time on my hands to do something productive. I sleep better and wake up happier ever since i've given up drinking.

[on my way]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

Sleep, really good sleep. The kinda sleep that lets you wake up ready to kick some butt!! Also, I know I am a much better and effective parent, wife, friend, sister and daughter.

[livingfree]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

Great Thread

As I approach my 6th month AF this is a great time for me to ask myself this question. Thanks for this DG. I can relate to so many of the points posted above me - so I will try not to repeat them but add some:

I love:

~ Knowing I have finally given myself the gift that I have begged myself for ... for many years.

~ Saying "no thank you" when offered a drink. Saying "I don't drink" when the subject comes up. I LOVE THAT.

~ Seeing clearly out of these eyes.

~ Knowing the supplements I am putting in my body are actually working for health instead of counter balancing the negative effects of the alcohol.

~ Feeling like I have climbed out of a dark hole and can see sunlight for the first time in years.

~ Realizing that I really do finally love life

~ Realizing how much I love those whom "I love".

~ Confidence that I am gaining in every area of my life

~ Emotions that are "waking up".

[retteacher]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

I love that I'm not wasting money on booze. Now, when I take the g-sons out for breakfast or buy a really great cut of steak, I don't feel any qualms at all. Mary

[Doggygirl]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

Oh the simple things. I love being sober at this time of day!!!

DG
******

[Cinders]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

I love being sober and able to handle very difficult personal situations with a clear head and a strong heart.

And all my friends at MWO who stand behind me and offer their prayers and support!!

Love,
Cindi

[Miss Behaving]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

Last night I was happy to be able to carry the recycling to the gate - in the past I have had to take the car because there were too many bottles!

[Mags]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

I've read this whole thread and can totally relate to every single word.

I guess my favorite thing about being sober is not having to live a lie anymore.

Thanks DG for this great thread.

[july232007]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

AF is an honest and direct way to live.

Directly & honestly with those who matter most in your life. Real experiences as they happen to be experienced --good and bad-- clearly and presently.

July

[retteacher]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

I want to preempt this by saying I love my husband very much (36 years worth). He is, however, a typical male in that he doesn't think very deeply about showing &/or expressing appreciation or love. I had a brief but meaningful discussion w/him about it this morning. I wasn't judgmental & spoke from my heart. He really heard what I had to say & wasn't the least bit defensive. As he was walking out of the house, I said I hoped he didn't think I was being whiney (wingey to you Brits)...he said absolutely not. I do count my blessings (of which I have many)!

This type of heartfelt expression is not something I would have done if I was drinking. Even recovering from drinking (somewhat sober), I hold myself back from expressing myself, because I feel so guilt-ridden. I really feel that in talking about my feelings, I'll better be able to stay away from alcohol. There are no hidden incentives to push me into a binge.

Thanks for being here everyone.

Mary

[Cinders]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

July,

Thank you for reminding me about how honesty and dishonesty has affected me this last year.

Prior to going into rehab in November, I was at least always open and honest with my husband about my drinking. I never hid it or tried to varnish it as less than it was. Once I went into rehab and then subsequently relapsed, I suddenly felt the need to hide my drinking.

This made my relapse even worse. Hiding bottles, sneaking around; this all added to my feelings of self-disgust and worthlessness. That was already bad enough.

Being AF is an honest way to live and means I no longer have to face those horrible feelings.

I have also resolved that if I ever slip, I will not lie and I will hide. I know this sounds as an "out" but it isn't. I simply cannot ever let myself get back to that dark place of beating myself up and hating myself. If I do, I know I will never be able to stay sober.

Love,
Cindi

[Doggygirl]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

So many great posts, and so MUCH we have in common! I'm planning for this thread to be one of several "life lines" here to refer to in a pinch. Wonder if we should have another one for "What I LOATHE about drinking" just to have the opposite side handy, and in our face when we need a refresher course??????

I love the honesty of AF too. There really is a lot of hiding - both literally and figuratively - when I'm drinking. FREEDOM!!!!!!! Love it, love it, love it.

DG
*******

[retteacher]

What do you love about your AF Life? (Inspired by Cindi)

The hiding was the absolute worst part of my drinking life.
-Drinking wine out of coffee cups.
-My favorite hiding place under the sink...w/all the cleaning stuff...a place my husband rarely visits.
-Pouring wine when he was in the bathroom or on the treadmill.

I absolutely won't go back there. Yes, Cindi, I know what you mean by saying you won't hide it if you ever slip (which you probably won't do). Coming to MWO & admitting the truth is very, very difficult, but if I didn't do that, I'd be off & running into my old life FULL FORCE.

DoggieG asked me to mention that sober sleep (even if it's abbreviated) is much, much better than drunken sleep. I began problem drinking (alone in the middle of the night) when I started to experience sleep difficulties due to the natural aging process & a high stress job. I can't imagine how I ever got up for work w/the hangovers...somehow I managed to do it.

Take care everyone. Again, DoggieG, this is a marvelous thread.

Mary