James Avery was a craftsman here in Central Texas. He started simply making "camp jewelry" for all the summer camps in the area--symbols of the different cabins, "tribes," activities, etc. but then grew into a very popular brand. You can Google him (he has long since passed away).
I picked out a much cheaper little bracelet from Etsy with the date in Roman numerals: X-XIII-XX for 10-13-20, followed by a "C" for 100. No one but me will know what X-XIII-XX-C means.
I love the Roman numeral bracelet!!! Great idea. I have not gifted myself anything yet, maybe on 01/02/21... can also celebrate the end of this lovely year.
I am 216 days sober and I thought it would be way easier by now. I kind of think it is harder. Is it bc of birthday week? Because I’m home this weekend and my husband is drinking like a fish?
No worries, I am pressing thru!
I have made HUGE strides getting my house fixed (from the July toilet rupture) this weekend. I could not have done this if I had not been sober.
I do feel totally out of my routine though. It will be off again tomorrow and back again Monday. I love routine!!!!!
@Beka3695, I am totally with you on routine. I love my work routine and was so glad when we went back to school in early August. Being in a juvenile detention facility, our kids are gradually being released as usual but because of COVID no kids are coming in to replace them at this time. So we may be out of jobs for a while after December depending on what happens. It’s the thought of losing my comfortable routine that most concerns me. I’m not very good at winging it. Maybe that’s yet another skill to learn.
I am home, sober, from an unpleasant evening with friends, where my husband drank 2 beers and 3 scotches and got completely wasted and embarrassed me by being loud and annoying. He's over here, passed out snoring on the sofa next to me now. I was the only one not drinking. I finally just said, "give me the keys, we are leaving". I will let this incident further reinforce that I NEVER want to be in that position myself, again. He will be mortified and anxious and feel like crap tomorrow and I will not, it is as simple as that.
In happier news, due to motivation from some of you fine people, I have lost 5.6 lbs by eating well, exercising, and of course, remaining sober.
I am at 30 days tomorrow. I inched my way to one month and haven't done that in many months. Anyway, my brain is saying "let's celebrate with a drink!".
I am also thinking you have come so far and resisted during stressful and good times, why ruin it now and then I'd have yet -another Day 1.
I decided to keep the streak going. I feel good. My face looks good- not puffy. Skin clear. Feeling calmer, much less anxiety overall. No wasted hours in bed nursing a hangover. No fast food to soothe my nausea. Plenty of free time to get lots of things done. Able to drive anytime without worries. No negotiations with myself over how much to drink or if I will stop and get wine. Saved money and saved organs.... Just random thoughts swirling in my brain.
I ordered some curious elixirs. I ordered a mixed bunch. 8 AF drinks per month. It's a monthly subscription. I can cancel at any time. https://curiouselixirs.com
I ordered 8 cocktails in four bottles for $29/month.
Hello to All...YES, it does get easier...as I've said before the first year was the most difficult of this entire process...now I rarely think about alcohol and any "craving" has been a fleeting thought...almost like a knee-jerk reaction out of the blue, but I would not describe it as a temptation...I've had lots of situations in the past couple of years that would have called for a drink (s) if I was still drinking, but I've learned other ways to cope...although tbh food is still a coping tool which is a work in progress...for the most part I am facing my demons in a much healthier way.
I think it was @JenT304 that referred to the ups & downs of life...we can not drink them away because alcohol only compounds what we are trying to avoid...not only are our problems, sadness, disappointments, messed up world situations etc still there the next morning, but by drinking we may add a hangover, shame, guilt more disappointment, sadness, depression, anxiety etc on top of what we were trying to temporarily escape. It is a trap.
One of the best ways to stay on the AF path, in my opinion, is to keep counting the benefits of sobriety as many do in this group as opposed to "missing" the ritual of drinking...It's really a mind shift that changes our perspective to continue on the path to better health, better relationships, and so many freedoms...@RubyRed427 listed "able to drive anytime without worries" among many other benefits...but that is huge. I LOVE being sober, and I am so glad that I stuck it out through the rough times.
Continue to Stick it out...it WILL be SO worth it!!
Well done, Ruby! I love your list of positives. Our brains are SO weird. I’ve journaled every day since June 15. Last night, day 90 AF, I started musing that once I’d passed the year mark on July 6 maybe I’ll allow myself one martini per year. What is THAT nonsense about??? Anyway, I’m finding the positives just keep building.
On the Curious Elixirs, like I said I’ve had good luck mixing them with tonic and/or Perrier and/ or grapefruit juice. That way I get 4-5 drinks rather than 2 per bottle. Plus I like them that way. I like that they allow you to customize your order if you prefer or don’t prefer a particular one of their 4 versions. I happen to like them all but find #2 quite weird. I hope you enjoy experimenting with them! Their shipping can be slow. That’s my only small complaint.
@lorrainequiche59, you are so right. I love focusing on all the great benefits of not drinking. Right now I’m loving that I can see a big difference in my “Zoom face”!
But when I’m tempted I find pulling out my “What I Hated About Drinking” list we made on day 2 of Kate’s course is my strongest motivator. The painful recollections of panic, anxiety, bloat, dry mouth, nausea, shame can be more powerful for me at times than the list of positives. Luckily I’m having to pull out that list less and less.
@donimfp Your post is why we all need to keep coming here. A great reminder of why we want to be sober in the first place. For me, the temptations have been fewer and farther between though saying "never" still feels like stepping off a cliff.
We all had a lovely time at my sister's (socially distanced, outdoor) 50th birthday party. I ate what I wanted, including a cupcake so will not weigh in for a couple days as I return to my new normal way of eating. Like I said before, eat the cake. It is harmless compared to the 4 glasses of wine I would have consumed in the past, as well as the cake.
I have not posted on here in a long time. Quick update. My eldest son (28 yrs) was killed in California Sept 2. We buried him back home in Illinois Sept 15. He left behind 3 young children. My world was turned upside down and I was in a tailspin of depression. Especially drinking. I realized the more I drank the more depressed I was becoming. And I was getting into a serious funk.
I am getting back on track cutting out alcohol, going back to the gym everyday and going to grief counseling sessions. I am feeling better and taking it day by day. But it is hard. I miss him every single day. Just writing this is making me tear up.
I have not posted on here in a long time. Quick update. My eldest son (28 yrs) was killed in California Sept 2. We buried him back home in Illinois Sept 15. He left behind 3 young children. My world was turned upside down and I was in a tailspin of depression. Especially drinking. I realized the more I drank the more depressed I was becoming. And I was getting into a serious funk.
I am getting back on track cutting out alcohol, going back to the gym everyday and going to grief counseling sessions. I am feeling better and taking it day by day. But it is hard. I miss him every single day. Just writing this is making me tear up.
@dbanks80 my deepest condolences for your loss. 🙏❤
This year really sucks. My husband and I will make it through. I have my youngest son 26 and I have my 3 grandbabies. My faith in God and so many wonderful friends and family.
They say the grieving of a child takes 5 -10 yrs!! I am praying it doesnt take me that long good grief!!! LOL
Good morning~ I have a day off today- hooray. Much needed. School has been awfully stressful but the students make me so happy and my heart so content.
Tomorrow will be 5 weeks AF for me. I just keep trudging along. Sometimes, I really resent that I can't drink. Last night, reading my LIVING magazine, there were a lot of fall cocktails, alcohol ads, wine articles, etc. It's not fair. Boo hoo for me. But it is what it is. I just can't have another day 1. That is enough of an incentive to stay away.
Wishing you a peaceful day. It's hard to feel peace during Covid and political angst. It's ok to cry too.
@dbanks80 I think of you and feel so sad for you and your family. Sending you warm hugs and lots of love.
@RubyRed427, I get the resentment about missing out. As much as I am loving my sobriety and don't intend ever to give it up (Today is day 96, so I know I'm just a baby at this game), I don't care what Kate Bee or anybody says . . . an ice cold dry martini can taste mighty wonderful. Thus my fantasy of a once-a-year martini day. But keeping a daily journal really helps with that. Just last night I went back and re-read the whole darned thing starting June 15. There are enough entries about my motivations not to drink and how good I feel not drinking and how bad I felt drinking to more than balance out the "I wish I could have a martini" entries. For me, I'm finding that really yummy alcohol-free substitutes make a big difference.
Oh, my journal also has plenty of entries about the 2020 political and racial upheaval and the pandemic. I'm wondering if my grandchildren will read it as a matter of historical interest in addition to an account of a journey into sobriety. More likely I'll burn it at some point.
Replies
Almost 100 !
I picked out a much cheaper little bracelet from Etsy with the date in Roman numerals: X-XIII-XX for 10-13-20, followed by a "C" for 100. No one but me will know what X-XIII-XX-C means.
I am 216 days sober and I thought it would be way easier by now. I kind of think it is harder. Is it bc of birthday week? Because I’m home this weekend and my husband is drinking like a fish?
No worries, I am pressing thru!
I have made HUGE strides getting my house fixed (from the July toilet rupture) this weekend. I could not have done this if I had not been sober.
I do feel totally out of my routine though. It will be off again tomorrow and back again Monday. I love routine!!!!!
Great job on 216 days!! (Aka CCXVI)
In happier news, due to motivation from some of you fine people, I have lost 5.6 lbs by eating well, exercising, and of course, remaining sober.
I am also thinking you have come so far and resisted during stressful and good times, why ruin it now and then I'd have yet -another Day 1.
I decided to keep the streak going. I feel good.
I ordered 8 cocktails in four bottles for $29/month.
I think it was @JenT304 that referred to the ups & downs of life...we can not drink them away because alcohol only compounds what we are trying to avoid...not only are our problems, sadness, disappointments, messed up world situations etc still there the next morning, but by drinking we may add a hangover, shame, guilt more disappointment, sadness, depression, anxiety etc on top of what we were trying to temporarily escape. It is a trap.
One of the best ways to stay on the AF path, in my opinion, is to keep counting the benefits of sobriety as many do in this group as opposed to "missing" the ritual of drinking...It's really a mind shift that changes our perspective to continue on the path to better health, better relationships, and so many freedoms...@RubyRed427 listed "able to drive anytime without worries" among many other benefits...but that is huge. I LOVE being sober, and I am so glad that I stuck it out through the rough times.
Continue to Stick it out...it WILL be SO worth it!!
On the Curious Elixirs, like I said I’ve had good luck mixing them with tonic and/or Perrier and/ or grapefruit juice. That way I get 4-5 drinks rather than 2 per bottle. Plus I like them that way. I like that they allow you to customize your order if you prefer or don’t prefer a particular one of their 4 versions. I happen to like them all but find #2 quite weird. I hope you enjoy experimenting with them! Their shipping can be slow. That’s my only small complaint.
But when I’m tempted I find pulling out my “What I Hated About Drinking” list we made on day 2 of Kate’s course is my strongest motivator. The painful recollections of panic, anxiety, bloat, dry mouth, nausea, shame can be more powerful for me at times than the list of positives. Luckily I’m having to pull out that list less and less.
We all had a lovely time at my sister's (socially distanced, outdoor) 50th birthday party. I ate what I wanted, including a cupcake so will not weigh in for a couple days as I return to my new normal way of eating. Like I said before, eat the cake. It is harmless compared to the 4 glasses of wine I would have consumed in the past, as well as the cake.
I am getting back on track cutting out alcohol, going back to the gym everyday and going to grief counseling sessions. I am feeling better and taking it day by day. But it is hard. I miss him every single day. Just writing this is making me tear up.
@dbanks80 my deepest condolences for your loss. 🙏❤
This year really sucks. My husband and I will make it through. I have my youngest son 26 and I have my 3 grandbabies. My faith in God and so many wonderful friends and family.
They say the grieving of a child takes 5 -10 yrs!! I am praying it doesnt take me that long good grief!!! LOL
Tomorrow will be 5 weeks AF for me. I just keep trudging along. Sometimes, I really resent that I can't drink. Last night, reading my LIVING magazine, there were a lot of fall cocktails, alcohol ads, wine articles, etc. It's not fair. Boo hoo for me. But it is what it is. I just can't have another day 1. That is enough of an incentive to stay away.
Wishing you a peaceful day. It's hard to feel peace during Covid and political angst. It's ok to cry too.
@dbanks80 I think of you and feel so sad for you and your family. Sending you warm hugs and lots of love.
Oh, my journal also has plenty of entries about the 2020 political and racial upheaval and the pandemic. I'm wondering if my grandchildren will read it as a matter of historical interest in addition to an account of a journey into sobriety. More likely I'll burn it at some point.