Less Alcohol- June 2018- One Day at a Time

LC0924

@lorrainequiche59 “I suppose it is building a life that fills the void.” WOW. Talk about some real talk! Feeling the same lonely moments and realizing that my way of dealing before isn’t the way I want to deal now... Thank you for sharing this

Orphia

I really wanted to start to drink in moderation when I'd completed a dry February.

But it just seemed to be far less mental anguish if I choose to remain AF for now, rather than having to quit again, then decide when to drink, and then quit, repeatedly. Too much thinking required.

Humans get tired from thinking hard and naturally avoid it in general. (See Pulitzer Prize-winning book about logic and psychology, "Thinking, Fast and Slow", by Daniel Kahneman.)

I still would like to be a moderate drinker one day. Never say never again.

But right now, I just don't need the worry of the merry-go-round.

NormInv

Day 5 done and dusted.....I am starting to remember it gets easier day after day

salleewins

Ke22yB wrote: »

I am glad to have found this site I feel it helps me appreciate the trials we all go thru in life I find sometimes I approach my food the way I used to approach my drinking. If I get angry I want to eat or a bit depressed how about a cookie. When you say the prisons are all of our own creation that's seem to really resonate with me. I am sober over ten years and have lost over 170 pounds and my psyche still can reach out and bite me in the butt some times. I appreciate the thought of mindfulness as when I am roaming around the kitchen for no reason but to try to find something to cheer me up I have to avoid mindless and embrace mindfulness to get me to walk out the door without eating

That thinking that I have had about alcohol certainly I can see it with food, too. I want to be free of the food prison, too.

RubyRed427

Today, I looked forward to NOT drinking. I drank a few last night; felt queasy and lacking energy today. So today, it was a no brainer I would not be drinking. No decision making involved. No way did I feel like it. I cant wait for tonight's great night of sleep! I also bought Jason Vale's book. Can't wait to read it! Good night all! Can't wait for July to arrive. Love a clean slate. I have high aspirations for July - it's my birthday month and i want to give myself the best gift- sobriety. Xo

RubyRed427

My June progress report: C+
Good effort, sometimes lacks focus, at times impulsive, needs to stay the course and be mindful
19 drink free days in June so far
10 days with 1-3 drinks
Great improvement compared to last June where I drank 30 days.
See you on the July thread!

How did you do this June?

Orphia

JulieAL1969 wrote: »

My June progress report: C+
Good effort, sometimes lacks focus, at times impulsive, needs to stay the course and be mindful
19 drink free days in June so far
10 days with 1-3 drinks
Great improvement compared to last June where I drank 30 days.
See you on the July thread!

How did you do this June?

@JulieAL1969 Well done!! That's a pretty well-balanced month.

donimfp

I spent June on the merry-go-round @Orphia mentioned but have felt so much better the last 3 days. I AM up after midnight but that's ok. I look forward to no obsessive thinking, planning, regretting in July. Vale contends that that kind of "sobriety" is so painful because one is still under the influence of alcohol, obsessing about it constantly. I think I said back in January that if I have to spend my life thinking about alcohol every day, I'd just as soon be drinking it. I guess that's why his statement rang true to me. I've never wanted a life of slavery to alcohol--whether drinking it or avoiding it. Right now, I'm celebrating being a non-drinker.

kittybenn

JulieAL1969 wrote: »

Dopamine is released in excess by the consumption of alcohol.

And chocolate, LOL!

erikNJ

My June was pretty standard. I mostly stuck to one night of drinking and one cheat meal on a weekend. I occasionally had a weekday event where I had a few light beers but I always hit the gym first to negate some of the calories.
I got a nice 10 hours sleep last night. 100% sober and no alarm to wake me in the morning.
Today is my nephew/godsons graduation party. I’m gonna let loose and celebrate with family. Just spent an hour at the gym and there will be lots of swimming. So a lot of those empty calories are burned

RubyRed427

I slept like a baby last night. I knew I would. No alcohol - was very tired. Slept over 8.5 hours and fitbit says no awake time and only one time restless. World record sleep. So happy!

Link to the new thread!https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10678084/less-alcohol-july-2018-one-day-at-a-time#latest

RubyRed427

@donimfp Do you meditate? I downloaded insight timer app. Then, I go to bed listening to a short 15 min. Sleep mediation. I think it really helps me fall asleep faster. Happy you are feeling better.
I like saying I'm a non-drinker. I'll steal that from you. Xo

lorrainequiche59

donimfp wrote: »

I look forward to no obsessive thinking, planning, regretting in July. Vale contends that that kind of "sobriety" is so painful because one is still under the influence of alcohol, obsessing about it constantly.....I guess that's why his statement rang true to me. I've never wanted a life of slavery to alcohol--whether drinking it or avoiding it. Right now, I'm celebrating being a non-drinker.

That is the kind of sobriety I would have during my previous lapses from drinking. Each day would be a countdown to the "end" of my sober period so I could drink again & It was NEVER off my mind. That is the mindset that does make me a slave to the drink.

Congrats to all of us who were able to go dry this month OR not so dry OR had some slips along the way because regardless of our goal, just sticking it out on this thread is a success. Continuing to share our ups & downs regardless is a success!!!

On to dry July or not-so-dry July whichever!! with the aim of healing our wounds & helping each other to be better people.

Thank you to Julie for starting this group.