AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

[Accountable for Me]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Yes, sorry about your friend, momof3. That is heartbreaking!

Well, 4 days back into sobriety after my slip on Saturday and I still can't sleep. Which is really screwy because it was only for one night after 6 weeks of AF. I am going to buy some melatonin today. It just seems too weird that I can't sleep. I fall asleep around 11pm after tossing and turning for 2 hours and then wake up at 3-3:30am. I honestly think that my body cannot take the abuse anymore. I have been having wicked headaches too. I have been taking a one-a-day aspirin just in case I might have a stroke! (Talk about paranoia - and how scared I am now about ever drinking again!). I have been out walking every day, drinking tons of water, back to healthy eating - I just don't get it after one night of drinking too much.

Anyway, I am glad everyone here is feeling great!!! I love the positive AF posts!!! It keeps me inspired, for sure.

[A Work in Progress]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Good day, everyone! I am at the Sanford public library, using their wireless; have been without television or internet since Sunday morning, and working on house re-hab stuff every day. It's a LOT of work, but I am steadily getting things done. Very happy to be here, and I am more and more convinced that I will be moving down here as soon as I can... even though the cold weather followed me, and it got below freezing here last night. It'll warm up soon.

I am incredibly grateful and happy to be free from alcohol. It feels as if I am finally emerging from a deep dark hole in the ground... the last 6 years, and especially the last year, have been ridiculously difficult and made more so by drinking.

Nice to see familiar names and avatars here... AFM, glad you are quickly bouncing back, and I hope everyone is doing well.

I probably won't be around much until I get back home (Sunday or Monday).

[retteacher]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Regarding the affirmations: I think I've heard that positive ones are the best.
-I abstain from alcohol.
-I am sober & happy.
-etc.
But the negative ones (i.e. "I do not drink.") aren't as powerful.

What happens after the pink cloud has worn off?
-I think that so very early in my sobriety I need to just feel the gratitude every day of being sober...really go over all the benefits.
-I must remember the downside of drinking...all of it. No romanticizing.
-I must bring to closure ANYTHING (big or small) that is bothering me or remaining unfinished...phone calls, pending arguments, day-to-day issues w/loved ones, etc.

I know that as sobriety becomes a way of life for me I won't have to be so mindful all the time. I'm still in the learning curve.

Mary

[retteacher]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Oh & during the learning curve & thereafter: MWO is a daily necessity for me. Without all of you, I wouldn't be where I am today. Thank you, Mary

[Janice]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Just popping in quickly. First time I'm home alone for a while, hubby and son are away on business and daughter is back at Uni.......the perfect opportunity to get the wine poured in the middle of the afternoon without having to hide it. A little thought did cross my mind while I was out shopping - well, more like a "pull" - and I've come in, put the kettle and the computer on. I won't be drinking today.

love to everyone,

Janicexxx

[Accountable for Me]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Way to go, Janice! Glad you are back in the saddle again!

[stargirl]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

I must have crossed you momof3. I'm sorry to hear about your friend. My thoughts are with you.
Janice- Nice work today. Those exact circumstances are my biggest triggers...home alone...day off...a love of wine. Good for you! You rock and are an inspiration that I can make it through the day too!

[DogLvr]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Momof3 - I am so sorry to hear about your friend - I hope all works out for the best.

I like the thread today - I need to come back to the personal mantras - I've been going back and forth for the past few months. And I know that getting a good night's sleep and waking up AF is so much more valuable to me - and I need to keep that in my head when I am offered my first drink....

I was AF yesterday and I will be AF today.

I am in DC - and you cannot believe how electric the air is here.

[retteacher]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Janice: My biggest trigger: being alone in the house. No need to hide it. I just try to think about the end result of a day of drinking (there's no way I'd stop at just 1 or 2):
-headache
-upset stomach
-shame & guilt
-hiding it when husb got home
-having to get rid of the "evidence"

Not a pretty picture, though I've done it many times. No more of that. I think I'll put the kettle on as well.

Mary

[Determinator]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Top of the morning Aberooooos!!

Janice, thanks for the lovely kickstart.

DoggyGirl, just wanted to give you a happy shout-out here. I saw your 'before and after booze' pictures and just wanted to say: WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! what an amazing transformation. keep up the great work you hottie you!

WIP, glad you found a way to log in even when on the road..it can be a challenge sometimes but where there's a will there's a way thankfully.

AFM, I know what you mean about the detoxing getting dramatically worse. I wondered if I'd get through my last detox alive....yeeeesh! lets just be good to ourselves from now on

so...when the 'AF honeymoon' phase wears off what do we do? my recommendation is that before it wears off we start with our homework on a large and incredibly important project called: "learning to live". Being a happy satisfied person takes skills, discipline, an inward-looking set of ears, and tons of honesty. That is not an easy feat, which is what drives a lot of folks to the bottle in the first place. The good news is that personally at least I CAN work on these things sober, even if the progress is not super fast at least it's taking place. When drinking our emotional/spiritual/character development all seem to be frozen in time as I'm sure you all have noticed. I'm glad to say that my work at 'learning to live' has been not only pleasant but I'm rather enthusiastic about it. I've gleaned so much from several teachers such as Ekhart Tolle, Wayne Dyer, audio dharma (thank you WIP). I'd say the two most important things for me to remember are acceptance and self honesty.
There are a good many people in life that appear on the outside to have it made. They are filthy rich, have all the fancy things, but deep inside they are miserable and constantly chasing something they can't even put their finger on.

so here's to your happiness my friends

be well

[Janice]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

thanks Det....well put. I love Dr Wayne Dyer's 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace.....you've prompted me to dig it out and brush the cobwebs off.

Have a friend coming over for supper. She doesn't drink. Should be a nice evening.

love Janicexxx

[on my way]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Det, like your thoughts on contentment. For me; health, love and respect of my family... they're the basics of what i need.

Wip, I'm packing my bags and road tripping to your location. I am sick of hauling fire wood (not really) just done with the cold weather, mini man and I will be there in 18 hours :-)

nat

[on my way]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Hi Janice!!

[momof3]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

Hello again,

Thanks for all of the well wishes for my friend. I am praying for her. She is so very dear to me. We have been through thick and thin together. The thing is, she never smoked, drank too much, etc .We are the same age and I think about the way that I have abused my body...very scary.

Yes, Det...getting on with the business of living your life is a wonderful way of putting it. I am catching up on all of those things that I wanted to do...but alcohol kept getting in the way. I do think having the guidance of great thinkers, spiritualists, or whatever you want to call them is important. There are some strong underlying themes across all of their messages. One of those messages that I am really trying to embrace is to live life in the present moment. I sometimes live so much in the past (regret) and future (fear and/or anticipation), that I miss out on what is happening right in front of me.

Be well all,
M3

[kitkatsue]

AF Daily - Wednesday 21st January

retteacher;525527 wrote: I must keep my wits about me & clear things up as they arise. No escapes!

I'll check back later.

Love, Mary

I'm going through a bit of stress now, for which I know alcohol would only make it worse.

I really like the way you put it, keeping my wits because that is really what I need to do!!

kit