Journey into Sobriety...

[xtexan]

Journey into Sobriety

Hi everyone. Hope you are doing well, and staying on top on your selves.

Sunday evening here, and I now have three weeks of vacation ahead of me. I sorely need to make a journey out west, to clear some cobwebs out.

The clear and good feelings have persisted, and things look great. I eagerly anticipate the call of the road, a journey to find the new Neil.

You see, I have done this before. Taken long road trips out west. Only before, my usual mode of operation was to stop somewhere, hit a bar and get ripped with the locals. So I would drink myself silly, and sleep right up until check-out time before dragging my sorry hung-over carcass out of bed. Then back on the road to the next stop. Booze was a major reason to “enjoy” the trip. The new bars, the new people to get drunk with, and so on. Booze was an essential element of the trip.

Now, I am well enough I think, to do this thing as a whole new person. I crossed the 18 months sober line this past Friday. I’ve gone a whole year and a half without a drink. I feel a new confidence in myself, and a feeling that there are new things waiting for me out there. No longer will the choice of hotel/motel to stay at be dictated by a bar on premises. It will have no weight at all in the choice of where to stay. No longer will I call the front desk to ask for another hour or so of checkout time, because I am too hung-over to get my act together.

My senses are clear in a way, that I have not known in years. Probably since I was a teenager. I am healthy, and strong, and should be able to make the journey with much less difficulty than in the past.

So anyway, I will try to update this thread as I go to new places. I’ll take my little road laptop, and log on when I can to update the journey. Where am I going? Don’t know for sure right now. It will be an adventure, as nothing is really planned. Just hitting the road for a couple of weeks to see more of what is new inside myself, rather than checking out the sights.

Be well.

Neil

[paula]

Hi Neil, you have done so well, 18 months you must be so proud.
Enjoy your journey and keep in touch.
Best wishes Paula.

[Java]

Sounds good Neil, and congrats on the 18 months, that must feel amazing!

[cpn1004]

Neil,
Cool plan. Keep us posted. I too have planned stays at hotels based upon the bar. Now not so much.
Later,
Phil

[lushy]

Neil, I cannot wait to hear your tales from the road. I have missed you posting lately and want you to know how pivotal you have been in changing my thinking about drinking so please keep it coming.

[SKendall]

Neil, I am so proud for you to be taking this journey sober.

You have been such an incredible inspiration for so many of us.

I wish you happiness and safety on this journey.

I drove across the U.S. last summer from Seattle to Toronto with a via to Dallas to see my kids, I managed to put on 7200 miles on a 91 Honda. It all happened very well except for a new radiator in Dallas. Never missed a turn, and never got lost. I did this trip sober and also, never gave in to burgers. There are a lot of places out there where you can get salads, etc. and just good food.

I wish you well my friend.

Hilary

[irishlady]

Happy holiday Neil, I am looking forward to hearing about your trip as you go along... Congratulations on reaching the 18 month mark, you sound so happy and positive now.. I am just over the 8 month mark and although it is much easier on a day to day basis then it was in the beginning some days I really hit the wall, but I will NEVER give in, this is one battle I am determined to WIN...

Have a good time, love, Louise xx

[southernbelle47]

Neil,
Thanks for "taking" us with you. I can sure use the diversion from everyday work and life!
What's "our" first stop!
Can't wait to hear all about it...

Nancy

[sujul]

Good for you, Neil! I,too, will be looking for road reports!!

Right now, I'm in the Green Mountains in Vermont--what a wonder it is to get away from the city...part of my own journey to re-discover myself after racking up well over a year of sobriety myself...

Happy Travels!!

susan

[cassy]

Hi Neil and Sujul...well done both !!and enjoy the break.

i love going away on my own for retreats for a few days/ i read a little, walk a lot, sit by the river..eat nice food/ If i am lucky i go some place where i get spiritual direction/talks.........it really gives me peace in my life. Then i have to go back to reality and show love in action. no good learning this new way of living and not holding onto the peace it brings.

LOVE IN ACTION has to be my motto...............Have a fun sober break

I,m not on the same level booze wise but i ham happy with how my journey is going at present..no boozing weekdays........heaven!!

Regards Cassy