MARCH MOTIVATORS

[sunshinedaisies]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Good Morning everyone! WW - so pleased you are doing so well - that is awesome for you! Keep it up! The same for all of us who are doing well too. for those of us who have had a slip - we can do this and are back on that horse!! Positive thinking and onward! SL - that must have been a really tough decision for you - not one I would have cared to have had to make at all. Good for you for having the strength to make the right one!

Have a wonderful week everyone - I will post when I can but know that I shall be thinking of you all,

Hugs, sun X

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi Everyone,

Wow, I had a really rough evening last night. Nothing unusual was going on, but out of the blue I broke down, started crying and lamenting the fact that I couldn’t drink again.......which is such bullshit and I know it. So, here’s what I learned from that episode.

Our brains really have multiple facets that can switch gears. I am fundamentally happy about not drinking in the mornings, all day, and most evenings…….but something snapped yesterday. There is something indelibly etched in my brain about the cocktail hour and how it’s tied to cooking dinner. My husband and I always drank during that time, and it was fun (before it wasn’t)……

So, lesson learned is that I have to shake up that time of day. I don’t know if I’ll eat earlier, or what………but I’m going to change it up for a while. Many nights it’s not a problem, but last night was a bitch.

My Life, I have had the exact same thoughts as you……….but I know there are people out there who get past these bad places and live a much better life. I’m going to force myself to go two years without alcohol. If you read about PAWS, it really does take a year to get past the first major hurdle. Sure, we get better as we go, but for me, 46 years of drinking isn’t going to be cured in a few months. I am determined to make it that first year, and then a second year. That is another major turning point according to PAWS. Truthfully, I wouldn’t feel out of the woods for even longer because people relapse so often. I read a statistic that only 1 in 20 make it. Those aren't great odds, but I want to be one of those. Congrats on coming up on your first 30………that’s how we have to work it……….and I’m really starting to understand why they preach one day at a time in AA.

R4L, I hope things are getting better for you. You have my undying respect to be handling your life sober.

Allswell, I can’t be around others drinking either. I have a situation coming up that is going to be a tough one where I have no choice but to be, and I’m dreading it. But, I’ll figure out a way…….I know I’m going to be stuck in these settings from time to time. I’m just thankful it’s not often.

Choice, Ginger, Blonde, Sun, Nora, SL, WW…………hope everyone has a good AF day!

Hugs and love :lilheart:

[K9Lover]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Good Morning Marchies!

It was tough getting up this morning after the time change...it was so dark at 6:30! BUT, much easier without a hangover, that goes without saying. Thinking back, I still don't know how I managed to get it together enough to make it to work after a night of binging...years of doing that definitely takes it's toll!

UW - Sorry to hear you had a tough time last night. I've learned that things like that are just gonna happen...usually when you least expect it. Normally I don't even think of alcohol and I don't really associate it with anything anymore, and then suddenly out of nowhere, I have the biggest desire to sit down with a 12 pack. Half of my brain knows it makes no sense, but the other half just doesn't care anymore. Like you said, drinking used to be fun...until it wasn't. It stopped being fun a long time ago for me, and that's what I force myself to remember.

I'm comparing this year's calender to last years, and I noticed that last year I was sober from March 1-11, then the rest of the month I drank. I hate that I've been struggling with this so long, but I love the fact that I'm definitely making progress.

I hope you all have a great day!!!

K9

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello Guys - quiet thread today!

I have been busy with work and am sitting in a Hotel room right now sipping Perrier. Last night we had a big company dinner. Luckily the two women sitting right next to me joined me in not having any wine. (They just don't care for it).

UW - sorry you had a hard time yesterday. I really do go through stages of grieving my long lost friend - but I really know it's just the addiction talking. Al was never my friend!

K9 - I suffered this morning as well and I will tomorrow too. It's a really early morning for me.

Hope you all have a great evening.

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hey, thank you Jane. I forgot you were posting on this thread. So glad you're here.:l How is it going?

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Jane, definitely peaks and valleys to all of this. Stay close to the boards, though. It makes a difference!

[Running4life]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi Unwasted, Congratulations on four months. Quite an achievement.
Let's keep racking up the days. It is wonderful not to wake up with a hangover.
I am feeling quite sad this evening. I went out for a few hours and came home to find our cat laying dead in his favorite spot. I have no idea what happened. Lately he had been vocalizing more but I thought that it might have been because my son moved out and we were making changes in the house. We are all grieving. I love my pets but it is heartbreaking when they die. Our dog is over 15 years old and the cat was a few months older than her. They were great buddies. The dogs health is failing quickly as well. I am dreading loosing her.
On top of the husband issue it has been a rough few days.
Hope everyone is having better days than I am right now.
R4L

[allswell]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Running,

So sorry to hear everything that's going on right now, hoping the rough patch is over quickly and brighter days are ahead soon.

Unwasted, Sunday was an unusually difficult evening for me as well. I couldn't say it came out of the blue as I have been thinking about alcohol more often lately but it was intense and I did not like it. I've also started drinking coffee again which I quit when I quit drinking along with all processed sugar. I wonder if that has anything to do with it. I'm going to stop the caffeine and sugar again today and hopefully I'll be back where I was a week or so ago where alcohol was a passing thought and didn't dominate my thinking. Definitely peaks and valleys.

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

R4L, I'm so sorry about your kitty. My cats are like my kids and I love them as much as I love people...........and if that makes me crazy, so be it. I can really relate to your loss and understand how deeply one can grieve for a pet. :lilheart: It seems like bad things come in waves, and I think you've had a tidal wave going. But, it also seems like after that we get a good phase.......I'm hoping your painful stuff is going to clear out and that you get a break! You've had so much lately, my heart aches for you.

Allswell, I guess we just have to accept these tough times. Thankfully, for me, even this early on my challenging times are rarer than the good ones. I'm committed to keeping it going because I know where drinking leads. I don't know what a truly long-term sober life is about and I want to exeprience that. I just always think....nothing is worse than hangovers, and I know I'm remembering only the good buzz of alcohol which had changed dramatically by the end and wasn't nearly as appealing as my alkie brain wants me to think it was.

Well, today is my four-month anniversary and I'm feeling really happy and proud!

Hope everyone has a good AF day..........

[allswell]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Four months is amazing Unwasted. Congratulations!!!

[daisy45]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Unwasted, I am soooo happy for you. I have been with you on various threads and remember a time when we were at the same point - here I am now at 10 days and you at 4 months! - a tinge of jealousy on my part? yes, a bit, but more than anything happy for you and inspired to go forward....
In a bit of turmoil this morning; my son headed away for his 150 days in Canada yesterday - on numerous occasions was asked did he need a visa - he said he had gotten advice and did not need one. He was stopped by immigration and told he has to return today as his stay is over 100 days. I cannot believe it and am so frustrated that I can't do anything. I thought he could have changed his ticket or something....haven't spoken to him yet but hopefully soon to see what's next. They are saying he cannot return for a year.....mmmmmmm

[Unwasted]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Daisy, I know you've been gone a while. You know, though, back when I had my two major fails at quitting, there were people who sailed ahead of me. I think to a point it's just part of the process. Of course, there can come a time when we just become chronic relapsers, and I'm thinking that I'm past that. I hope this is your time......it really is a better life - not perfect but better. Sorry about your son's hassle. I know that's the kind of frustration that makes us want to drink, but making it through it will make you stronger!

Thanks Allswell!

[GingerDust]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hi everyone.

Hang in there R4L. Life is really piling on you right now and my heart goes out to you! :l I wish I could think of something more comforting to say. You will get past all this sadness. Just hang on.

I'm dreadfully behind and am not going to try to catch up either. Still sober, still swallowing the pill every day, still ripping out my kitchen, which is kind of scary. I'm tired a lot and have reverted to drinking Coke as a pick me up. I figure that for now, I'm cutting myself some slack on the caffeine and carbs. Simply sober is good enough for now.

Have a good day everyone.

[K9Lover]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

R4L - So sorry about your kitty :l I can imagine the pain of losing a pet. I've had my dog for 12 years so she must be about 14 and I cannot imagine life without her. Take some comfort in knowing how good your kitty's life was, you made each other happy.

UW - HUGE congrats on 4 months!!! WOW...way to go. I am on day 78 after wondering if I'd make it past day 40. I still don't feel like "celebrating"...I'm just taking it step by step. Maybe when I get to day 180 I will do a little happy dance. Also, I hear ya' on loving animals as much as people, that's how I feel about all my critters. Although looking at my cocker spaniel right now you'd think he was an unloved little homeless guy, his hair is in dreadlocks and he's covered in fleas! I have been trying to brush him, but the poor guy is very timid sometimes. He was in and out of shelters his whole life. And he doesn't growl as a warning, he will just turn his head real quick and nip. So I'm always cautious as to where I am touching him. I'm getting him into the groomers this weekend. He is miserable and I feel bad for him, so he's going to have to endure the muzzle for a bit in order to get well!

Jane - Sorry to hear you were feeling Blue. I got like that yesterday too which is sort of rare for me, but I guess emotions come out for no reason sometimes. Pick yourself up and think about what you want. You know you have the strength to get back on target. And please do keep posting. I want to see your hilarious avatar all over the boards. That little guy and his "rug" crack me up.

Well, guess I'd better get to work. Is it Friday yet? LOL

Have a good day everyone!

K9

[mylife]

MARCH MOTIVATORS

Hello All!

UW - CONGRATULATIONS ON FOUR MONTHS!!! Let's just try to get to 2 years and see how we feel. !! I have been reading about your ups and downs and although I'm 3 months behind you I can see them coming for me as well. This is going to be an emotional roller coaster - but I want to post calmly in 2 years about how much better my life has become. I won't know unless I try it.

R4L I'm so sorry about your kitty! Our dog of 17 1/2 years died last year and I just still miss him so much. I've thought about getting another pet but I think I'd feel like there was an imposter in our home. LOL. I can completely understand how you feel.

Jane - sorry to hear about your slip. This is definitely a challenging road and I certainly know how things can be.

Ginger - happy to hear you are still sticking with the plan. I'm still popping those pills every few days as well, and they are working. At a work function on Sunday they poured everyone glasses of champagne to toast a co-worker and I raised it to my lips but was very careful it didn't even touch my mouth! LOL. I'm terrified of Antabuse! After the toast I just put the glass down and pushed it off to the side. So did a lot of other people I'm noticing now.

K9 - I think you need to celebrate 78 DAYS!!! That's awesome. And I agree - CAN IT BE FRIDAY YET PLEASE???!!!