January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

[cyntree]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Night/morning all. Thank you for your support regarding my 'anniversary' and the work I have to accomplish this weekend. I think all your thoughts wrapped around me and made a protective shield, because if you can believe it, I didn't even think about the past, didn't think about this place or the memories it held, didn't think about the challenges I might be having now with it all. Just didn't think of anything except my work there, which was completely unencumbered by anything not in the immediate present. What a present!
Thank you, powerful ones.

Will write personal notes tomorrow - blessings on you all -

[Sky]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Ladybird, I too cannot envisage drinking again at some point, but I know I cannot. I relate a lot to Chillgirl's post and know that if I drink again, ever, I will be on my way back to whence I came. I am now at Day 25 and whilst I still crave the wine a lot, I know I can't go there. I've given up before and have a couple of drinks and think, well, that's all I need, but unfortunately, it's not all I WANT. It always leads back to disaster.

[redhibiscus]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Thanks everyone for all the thoughtful posts. It started my day out right, serious and taking my vow to be AF with everything I have. It is Thursday, and I will make sure tonight to plan for tomorrow. Everyone sharing their struggles reinforces that it is not easy for any of us. I sometimes lose sight of that...the daily fight to remain AF, all of us.

Sky, you stated that alcohol is poison for you. Me too. I still do not feel healthy since last Friday so I know it is just getting more insane then ever to drink, for me. Right now I can only envision this weekend, I can't think farther ahead than that.

Everyone, have a great day.

[dill]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Everything I experience serves a purpose. Today, my past is healed; I am alive,
awake, and free. I have the courage to change.--Glad Day by Joan Larkin

Red, we are all just inches away from a drink. It is just 4 days to finish out January. I'm going for a strong finish.

LBH, You may choose to drink again at some point, or you may content yourself with the knowledge that you could choose to drink, but you'd rather continue feel well. Either way, I know in my heart that you will never return to where you were when you arrived at MWO's doorstep. Nor will I.

Sky, stick with us! It's a struggle, but we are all in it together.

Chill, thank you for sharing your story. It is all of our stories to some degree. I quit driving under the influence (for the most part) long ago, because I feared the repercussions. However, that sent me to the phase or drinking in isolation at home and often on the sly, as Mr. Dill doesn't drink. I've had bruises in the morning, too.

Lode, Lav, Lil, Finding, SD?, Pnut?, Cyn, Soots, Sped, Open, Mandalay, Jessie :wavin:

REMINDER: January Just Do It group chat, Sunday, January 31st, 4:00 EST.

[sooty]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Happy thursday everyone and thanks for the chat reminder Dill - I had forgotten about it, but nodoubt would have remembered on Sunday!
I've just got back from pilates so am feeling thoroughly stretched - its hard work and I don't look forward to going but feel better when I've been
Its lunchtime here and I'm going to make myself a nice healthy salad. I guess most of you are just starting your day - hope its a good one for us all.
See you later
love Sooty

[lilmea]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Just a quick check in this morning. I have to be out and about early this morning. (at least early for me! )

A new name for Feb- I liked Lav's idea of putting Faithful in there. How about Faithful AF Febuary? Other idea's? Come on LHB, Dill everyone. Time to pick a new name.

I got a quick up date from Mighty Mouse. She wanted everyone to know she is busy, busy with her new job, family and all. She misses everyone and hopes to be able to make chat on Sunday.

Wishing everyone a great, af day. On ward and up ward!!

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Morning friends,

Boy did I ever oversleep this morning - think I really was worn out from yesterday!!! Oh & no sun either.....confuses me

Hey Lil - How about The February AF Faithful? (or furballs)

Greetings LBH, cyn, Driver Sooty!

Sky, 25 days sounds like a great number - good for you!!!

Red, hang in there with us - you can do it too!

Chill, Dill, hope you both have a good day. Hope MM can drop in soon.

OK, need to get myself in gear...........
Not an easy task this morning as everything seems to be creaking!
Have a great day!

Lav

[cyntree]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

"It's a struggle, but we are all in it together."
Thanks, Dill for that line, and for the wonderful quote. Red - you can do it!! great idea planning ahead. Sky , great job on 25 days. Woo-hoo to all ontheir respective goals. Like LBH last month, this will be one of the few times that I have gone straight through the calendar month - I am determined to see the 31st AF, and am finding myself now much more excited by the prospect of that goal than the lure of a drink. An inch forward!

Sending you all support today, thanks so much for my support.

[Chillgirl]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Cyn im also looking forward to the 31st Jan and my 1st AF month of many......

Just had a 4 hour birthday lunch with my girlfriends who all enjoyed sharing my quota of wine between them!!

Wishing you all strength for the weekend ahead.

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

That's a great idea Chill - get other people to do your drinking for you :H
Love that idea!

Should be fixing something for dinner right now - just can't find the energy to get started - Ugh!

I'll be back

[lodestar]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Strong finish indeed! We can do this. Sending you an extra boost of :l for the weekend, Red. On my first weekend (one that I didn't know I could get through), I actually told myself I could always drink on Monday if I wanted. Just knowing that helped me push through the fear. That was over three months ago now. I don't know if that was a good strategy, but it helped me to not feel so scared. I don't think that strategy will work for smoking though.

I can't believe January is already ending. LBH, thank you for your post about knowing yourself and Dill for the followup on that. My goal is also to never return to where I was when I joined MWO. That was a terribly unhealthy state. I am quite sure I will choose to drink again at some point, but this is not a decision lightly taken. For now, I'm very comfortable getting to know myself and learning about what happened, so that it will not happen again. One thing is for sure, I'm not in denial of the problems alcohol caused and I believe that I will never be able to be complacent or slllllliiiiiiiiiiiiiiddddde down the slippery slope again. No thanks!

Love to all. I'm still not tip-top and writing is stalled. Wish I had a do-over for this week.

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

lode - I'm sending you some virtual chicken soup - hope you feel better soon!

At the end of January last year I was scratching my head & wondering what the hell I was going to do with myself. I had stopped the antidepressant (that wasn't doing a thin for me), started on the hebal supplement Amoryn. While waiting for the Amoryn to kick in I did a lot of reading, worked the Habit Busting (21 day) program & found MWO in February! It took until March 26 to bite the bullet & go AF but I did!!!! I have no regrets whatsoever - everything is better - not perfect but better
I think each & everyone of us (regardless of where you are in your AFness) is in a better place today. Just being here & part of this powerful group is proof positive!

Wishing all of my friends a good, cozy night!

Lav

[Lavande]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Almost forgot to share another secret with you!
In addition to the wonderful mushroom growers around here we also have a Swiss Chocolatier......go figure! I stopped in here today for some goodies

Gourmet Swiss Chocolate and Chocolate Confections | Neuchatel Chocolates

[lodestar]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

Oooh, Lav. Chocolates and soup? Wish you were here!

Just saw your message about us all being in a better place and that is so true. I love that we support each other in finding our own way out. It is good to feel safe and be able to be truly honest about this process with people who understand. I wish I would have "met" you all a bit earlier though.

As always, gratitude for everyone on the summer sleigh ride.

[Sky]

January: Just Do It! ~ AF ~ Week 4

In regard to Lodestar telling herself she could drink on Monday if she wanted to, I always told myself I could have a drink the next day if I just didn't drink today. And the drink hasn't been consumed.

In regards to the name for February, just a contribution. In Australia there is charity event called Feb Fast where everyone who participates and gets sponsors gives up alcohol for the month of Feb.

Have a wonderful day/evening/night everyone.