Sober March- Who's in??

[skullbabyland]

Sober March- Who's in??

bkyogagurl;1637094 wrote: Pav!!!! 100 DAYS... You rock STAR!! Keep rocking the casbah!

100 days is ALOT in the scheme of things... It's meaningful to you and I have often wondered what it feels like to go that long? I think it is super awesome.

I gotta go surf the boards to see if I can figure out what is going on with my Buddie... Skull.

BK, you're sweet for checking in on me Nothing to be alarmed about though-- I think I was just going through a couple days where a cloud hung over my head randomly... Well, maybe not so randomly- if I'm honest with myself I think it was really just "resistance" (ie, procrastination) over getting shit done that I know I NEED to get done, but when I make the time to do so, I just lose all will to do it. Sometimes getting me to do shit is like pulling teeth and I'd rather mope all day than do shit that's more boring than watching paint dry. Or involves lots of little mini-decisions, such as throwing lots of stuff out or organizing etc.

Basically, I'm the world's worst spring cleaner.

But whatevs. I'm feeling pretty good today. All's going fairly well... thanks buddy! How's BK's world lately? Still training hard?

Pav- soooo happy for you and your 100+ days. And you don't need permission to drop Fbombs, you can rock em whenever you want-- I find they coexist quite well with yoga, too. Fuckin' Namaste!

Spirit- keep your spirits up man, yep alcohol has done a number on all of us and it's important to keep sharing our experiences... that's what this place is for. Keep sharing Spirit!

[free at last]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hi all, a quick note of congrats to everyone on such big consecutive AF days and great progress in an AF March. I am finishing up week three of my intensive yoga/spiritual retreat. Going into silence again tomorrow so will be only doing work related emails for the next couple of days. Really loving the introspection gained from meditation and yoga.

Sending you all thoughts of strength, focus, patience, and peace.

[Pavati]

Sober March- Who's in??

Awesome, Free. I have a friend who spends a silent week each year - not speaking, not on the Internet, nothing, and still goes on with her daily life. She says it gives her perspective.

I have had a couple of long stressful days and wanted a martini on my way home. It was a fleeting thought, not really even entertained, but dang if that beast stays active.

Hope you are all well. Marching right along.

[bkyogagurl]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hey all... Spirit... People are people... And sometimes I think when you might hit a cord with them, they tend to try to put their stuff on you hence asking "you" to revise you. I like you and your post because they feel honest and upfront.. Don't have to read between the lines just good ole straight forward talk.
I think you speak your truth. It's easy from people to take things wrong in writing sometimes.. I have before but then thought this person isn't trying to offend me so I had to look inside myself to figure out where my own insecurity was coming from that I wanted to project these feelings onto someone else...
Your awesome keep posting away.

Skull.. My main sober Buddie! So glad you are doing ok. I don't really like to hear that you are blue even tho I realize it's part of the journey. Cleaning sucks so I would probably a dark shade of blue if I was trying to spring clean.
Are you still eating clean and working out?

Free... You retreat sounds so cool. I wish I was there. I want to try that sometime. I can't imagine not talking to anyone for a whole week..l would probably never come back.. HA! Keep enjoying your time and we will look forward to hearing more.

As for me... Been having a few drinking thoughts after I just said I wasn't having them... Nature of the beast I guess. One day I'm like fuck no way will I ever drink again then the next it's like hmmmm...
Keeping fighting the good fight right.
I have been training ALOT and eating clean with only a few minor cheats as in homemade protein cheats. I wonder if they really are cheats because they are wholesome.. But calories and calories right.
I have not been dropping any weight on the scale which bugs me but I will continue trying to find my beats mode with it... Funny it seems food tastes like 400 times better now that I stopped drinking...
Poop.... Poop... Poop... I will get it dialed in at some point just have to keep trying.

I have much more to say but am tired and need to hit the sack.

((((((HUGS FOR ALL)))))))))

[skullbabyland]

Sober March- Who's in??

YourFriend- sorry I missed your post here the other day. Yeah I know what you mean, the meds forum is getting a bit nasty the last few days. Hopefully that'll subside soon... of course, you're always welcome here on Sober March So cool that you're staying AF and doing well!!!

Free, Pav- that silence thing you mentioned sounds so interesting... I think I like the idea cuz I bet a quiet self would quiet the mind... Free, when you return, you'll have to let us know some particulars on that. Why do you do it, and for how long?

BK- Thanks, pal! All's well in Skullbaby Land. Except for being grouchy about a weight loss plateau for upwards of 2 or 3 weeks now. I'm still eating super clean and training consistently but the scale weight ain't dropping. I know that is pretty misleading though, because for any fat lost, I've been adding muscle tissue, but still... weight loss plateaus suck. Anyway... first world problems.

I totally relate to food tasting so much better than it did before- I think any time spent eating healthy whole foods (and not drinking, of course) resets the mind's reward pathways to a healthy, much more sensitive (in a good way) state. My GF laughs at me because even just fruit, like strawberries, can really send me into a total feel-good-mind-rush-sugargasm. It lights up my cells like a Christmas Tree. Haha.

As for drinking thoughts... when that happens, get angry. Bah, HULK SMASH!

Hope everyone's doing well. We're coming up on the halfway point of March. Also, the weekend is tomorrow... What's everyone doing? I'll be finishing up the stupid spring cleaning, and above all protecting my quit!

[free at last]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hi all,
I have a few moments before I go back to class and start 24 hours of silence (except work email, which I have to keep moving along). A while ago, I started dedicating one day each weekend to no email or facebook. Would check work and only respond if absolutely necessary. That worked wonders for my relationship with my dear husband.

As part of this retreat, I eat all my meals in silence (my choice), which allows me to eat mindfully, to reflect on my day, what I am learning. Then, I try to add an extra hour or two per day of silence. I find the less I speak (both out loud and on email), the less noise is going on in my head. Instead, this stillness tends to take over. If thoughts enter that I don't want (e.g. AL or sugar, though that rarely comes up these day) I focus on my breath. About ten deep breaths and my mind is quiet. I am also becoming hyper aware -- can hear conversations at quiet a distance, hear/see multiple things going on in the room, and am trying to practice awareness, with non-judgement. So cool

The main thing I am learning is the importance of compassion, starting with myself. That doesn't mean I refrain from pushing myself to my edge (of mental, physical, emotional endurance) for that makes me stronger and opens a heightened sense of awareness.

You don't have to wait until you have a month to spend in retreat. Start with giving yourself one hour a day-- of silence, of yoga, meditation, a walk. In tending to my body, mind, and spirit, I have been able to examine my relationship with alcohol, name my demons, and begin to tame them.

Signing off for the rest of the week.

[TJAF]

Sober March- Who's in??

I'm in. Pencil me in for April, May June and July while you're at it...that gets me to a year.

[Pavati]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hi, TJAF - July Year Sober party - I'll be there. I am writing it in pen, however. No erasing.

Free - compassion for myself was KEY for getting sober and getting past the guilt and judgement I had for myself. Doesn't do any good, and in fact it does harm. I agree that moments of silence, exercise, contemplation are important. Right now I am spending probably too much time on MWO, but I am happy to be doing that instead of drinking. I'll wean back when the time is right!

BK - I have the luxury of an absolutely AWFUL drinking weekend and hangover that left me thinking I was going to have to hospitalize myself (psych ward). I say luxury because there is no way in hell I would ever risk going back there and feeling that bad again, so the choice was essentially taken off the table for me. I don't have to bargain with myself - I just look at my kids and know there is no way I can drink. I think without that weekend I would be waffling a bit more (although I would probably have ended up there eventually anyway). Your running and health kick should be a big help, as is the meditation and mindfulness our friends here talk about. We can do this!

Spirit - I think every post here has some feel of "teaching ways." By posting our stories we are hoping to teach ourselves and maybe hoping that some of our experiences, good and bad, can help someone else. Keep on being you!

This weekend will be beautiful weather (well, beautiful if we weren't in a drought), so I am planning a long hike to the beach. I can't wait.

Hope you all have a great one!
Pav

[skullbabyland]

Sober March- Who's in??

Free, thanks for posting about the silence and reflection. I think it is really interesting and I know I need to meditate daily and disengage from the Internet much more often... your post reminded me how valuable simple silence can be as a practice. Thanks and looking forward to hearing more about it. Have a nice zen 24 hour "noise-fast"

[Pavati]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hi, Marchers:

I had an exhausting week and driving home last night after 15 hours at work the thing that I wanted most was...my bed! I didn't crave, want, desire, think about alcohol. Pretty amazing.

Hope all is well. Happy Sober Saturday - half way through a sober March!

[skullbabyland]

Sober March- Who's in??

March is half over! HALFWAY MARK YA'ALL. AWWW YEAAAAHHHH

[spiritwolf333]

Sober March- Who's in??

skullbabyland;1638172 wrote: March is half over! HALFWAY MARK YA'ALL. AWWW YEAAAAHHHH

And Skull, I am just glad for today. (or at least trying to be)

[Pavati]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hi, Everyone:

Quiet around here - I hope you're all just enjoying your weekends.

I had a wonderful one, and am ready for bed. I don't want a drink. Had a team lunch today with my son's basketball team and all of the adults had an alcoholic beverage but me and one other guy. He says to the whole table "I realized I can't just have one - I'm all in if I drink." I agreed with him and told the table I hadn't had a drink since before Christmas - one of my pretty good friends was stunned as he hadn't noticed. It was a pretty big announcement on my part, and went just fine.

Anyway - hope you all have great, sober weeks.

Pav

[skullbabyland]

Sober March- Who's in??

Wow, that's so cool Pav. I always respect it so much when people rock who they are with no shame or guilt- representing their truth and just putting it out there on Front Street. So to speak.
SO cool that he did that, and SO cool that you did that too. We should be proud of these accomplishments-- many of us still see not being able to drink normally as a thing of shame, when it's far better to see it how it is- something that's a serious accomplishment, and one that I'm sure many people envy.

[free at last]

Sober March- Who's in??

Hi all,
Back among the speaking and internet connected world. Have to say, silence is truly golden. I now find myself thinking before I speak "is what I have to say better than silence?" often it is not.

Happy to answer any PMs on this four week retreat. Really an incredible experience.

Everyone is doing so well. Stay with this. We can make March AF and then it is onward to April.

Warmest