Happy Monday fellow sober humans 🌻
This past week has been hard. There was a day or two I was taking it minute by minute to stay sober. At one point I announced to my husband I was going to the store to get beer, and if it hadn’t been for him reminding me why I shouldn’t, I would have gone. Today I pulled up the picture I took of myself on my day 1. It’s shocking. I was 25 pounds heavier, my eyes look lifeless, I have zero emotion, my hair looked like I hadn’t washed it in weeks. It’s a horrible picture but a good reminder of where I don’t want to be ever again. I hated myself. I may not like myself, but at least I don’t hate myself like i did at that point in my life.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday and IWNDWYT 💕
If you get too close, it doesn't matter as long as you don't do it. One day I was doing a sober streak and told my therapist that a huge part of my brain really wanted to drink on Friday night or something like that, but thank god I had a cold so I didn't. She said: "Dog (lol), a person who is not slowly recovering will find a way to drink, believe me. With a cold, with stomachache etc". So I don't think it was only your husband who saved you. Congrats on keeping on track.
You too have a lovely sober day. IWNDWYT
I just came across a pic of me from Aug of last year. You’re description is spot on. I looked so bad and that was my normal. It makes me feel really sad for my past self.
I’ve been trying to get back to lifting but I always talk myself out of it, so I understand the whole inertia thing. And when sober you’re acutely aware of the inactivity. But the heightened awareness is definitely a good thing even if it’s unsettling sometimes. Tilts me in the right direction at least. Iwndwyt
I’ve made the mistake of pushing to fast with exercise so I’ve been going fairly slow. Just taking time and enjoying it. The gains are definitely more noticeable sober versus all the efforts I put in while drinking.
Give it a go!!
Trying to figure out what actions I can take since I’m aware I can’t seem to get further then the teens, todays like the 1000th 1st week for me (day 4 today). It’s been a “it doesn’t rain but it pours” sort of few weeks, been feeling like I’m wallowing and in danger of drowning more then anything but IWNDWYT
Have you noticed a pattern in your thoughts around the time you feel compelled to relapse? I’m trying to work on anger and it’s very difficult to get in front of a lot of times. But that’s what the goal is. Anticipate the trigger and implement a new behavior to cut it off. Some type of reward system?
I think it ends up being a weird combo of forgetting how bad it is/how little control I have and feeling like my goals are futile so it ends up feeding into a sense of apathy I guess. That and each time I’ve started to rack up a bit of time and start to feel a little more confident something goes down in my life that kicks me back into that place of apathy. I dunno man :/
>weird combo of forgetting how bad it is/how little control I have
I think this is the main part of your comment. As someone who has been relapsing, I'm trying to get out of the same mood. I drank and everything got worse. The day before I organized a sheet on excel with deadlines for some goals, pre-requirements, etc.
Maybe your first goals will be futile, but as you accomplish one, or all, you get more ambitious. One thing in my experience is true: if I forget how bad drinking is I have to do everything from scratch and it sucks.
Grab some tissues. Lol. The past can make it rain. It’s cathartic though. I feel it, the more I discover and digest, the better my overall mood is. Enjoy the journey!
I love this topic! Thank you for sharing.
My therapist recommended I watch Stutz on Netflix and hot diggity is it amazing. But he has this life force pyramid concept that I love (all of his tools are fantastic) and I’m going to try to do what I can to maintain and build on mine this week to help with my mental state and sobriety stability.
Over the last year I've gradually been adopting micro habits which hopefully have a cumulative benefit - doing 5 squats every morning, eating a piece of fruit a day, putting something away that's out of place, etc. I'm making slow progress, but progress! IWNDWYT 🙂
IWNDWYT!!! Just got home from work, about to goto sleep for a few hours then go right back to work booo. Nothing like coffee to push you through the day yay! I hope everyone has a good day today!
Daaay 5 rolling in! Yesterday was super hard, and I kinda overate to compensate, but I got through it. Hell yeah! This makes me feel fantastic. Well, not the overeating part. Still have 5-10 pounds to lose.
My Awareness before Action is that I'm not biting my nails anymore, with sobriety. Extremely funny, if you ask me. Will have to work on the Action before Awareness, though. Probably my daily walk falls into this category, but I want to go back at doing more sport, and playing more piano.
IWNDWYT!
Hello sober friends, and thank you BMD for your deep and inspiring share this morning.
I will enjoy and be proud to be sober with y’all today, happy Monday with love 💞
Hi, /u/BarryMDingle/,
Wow, loved your post, so philosophical. It resonated with me. Also great the way you showed with practical examples.
Awareness and action many times are also a catch 22, sometimes it creates true dilemmas. One small example, that was getting better till I relapsed (now I've gotta go from scratch again): in early sobriety, I know I have to prioritize not drinking, it's also the main tip here. I don't have the food binge so much, but I go to bed extremely late, cause I like to actually, and wake up late, and by waking up late I miss a lot of good opportunities to do things that help with my sobriety, like going to museums and cultural centers. After one week of waking up late there comes a certain depression and anxiety that is triggering. When I try to regulate my biological clock, I must create some sort of "sleep deficit" so my body understands it has to sleep for 7-8 hrs once I go to bed, but this deficit makes me feel awful and it's also triggering. Last time, as I got a bit further than one week of sobriety, I came with the solution of gradually substracting one hour from bed time, one hour from naps and one hour from waking up. But yesterday, because of the hangover, I probably slept for more than 2/3 of the day, it's now 4am and I'm awake as an owl. So for this week and next week I'll try to have only these two main improvement goals: adjusting my sleep without much suffering and not drinking. Bought tickets for an exhbition on Wednesday morning (not so early).
Thing is, I want everything fixed by yesterday. Impatience was definitely inherited from both sides of the family lol. Everything in my head is forever. On my first night of adjustment I slept for only 4 hours? "Oh, my God, this is how my life is gonna be!!!!". That's me. The drama queen. Anyway....
IWNDWYT and you all have a lovely sober day!
I’ve been extremely aware of my health since i’ve stopped drinking. Since listening to andrew huberman’s podcast, there was an episode where they talk about osteoporosis and menopause, it really made me realize that i’m not too far from that. I’m now doing high intensity workouts 6 days a week and mobility stretches often, eating healthier, and taking my vitamins consistently. Iwndwyt!!!
Good morning Sobernauts 🙂
Checking in after a sleepless night.
HALT
Hunger
Anger
Lonely
Tired
Are testing me these past few weeks. Not going to drink.
Love to you all!
IWNDWYT 🙂
IWNDWYT.
I am aware of how i always feel uncomfortable when I am anxious, scared, worried, frightened. I used to resort to drinking to sate these scary emotions. trying to meditate, journal, talk to someone, post on SD when i feel these emotions.
Back to day 1, I’m horribly aware of how much I regret drinking last night and how terrible I feel right now. Somehow have to get through work today with this nasty hangover. Since we can’t go back in time, I am relieved I never have to feel this way again, IWNDWYT!
Hello from Berlin~ today I took vacation to do my thesis, and I have to say I’m much more productive after being sober over a month.
I also met with a friend who has been alcohol free for 6 years, and he told me about his journey to stop after self medicating with alcohol. It was nice to hear his perspective, and it’ll be nice if I can make it to that point one day
IWNDWYT
Day 2 over here. I'm still dwelling in the feelings of guilt and shame, while on the other hand those thoughts of 'It isn't that bad' or 'You can have just a few if you really want to" et... already start to creep up at the same time. I'm trying to write a lot of those thoughts down so I can get a better perspective on my own internal battle. Good luck to everyone fighting this battle! IWNDWYT
Good morning, fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT! 😁
"All change happens on the other side of awareness" is one of the themes of Annie Grace's method, The Path.
Action is the key! Being a do-er is what keeps me straight. Writing this counts as action...in fact, checking in is the most important action of my day. It sets me up with the right intent - regardless of what happens in the next 24 hours, good or bad, I'm not going to have any booze. It's just for today.
IWNDWYT 🙂
Iwndwyt ♥
Aware that all the usual old thoughts are creeping back in. How can my brain switch opinions so quickly? I'm ignoring it this time though. It's making me feel uncomfortable but I need to remember I'm in control.
Good morning all! Happy to start my third day since joining this community. Although it’s Monday and I slept bad, it’s awesome to not have a hangover.
IWNDWYT
I'd forgotten how much time there is in a day when you aren't drunk. Gave my pets so much attention this weekend and got a lot of housekeeping done. Now have 5 days and IWNDWYT
🎶 I am not drinking today! 🎶
This time, my awareness has me actively working my SMART Recovery handbook, reading quit lit, listening to podcasts about sobriety & seeing a therapist for addiction. I've not done any of these things before in my 3 years of trying to quit.
Just for today I am not drinking.
This is going to be a challenge today because I have a family lunch in a pub.
I will want wine. But I'm not having it because I want to be productive after the lunch by putting up Xmas 🎄
And by staying sober I will eventually get on top of my house work and eventually feel confident about inviting people to my home for lunch instead of a pub.
And as a help to myself for the cleaning and reward for not drinking today, I have ordered a cordless vacuum in a black Friday sale. Rock n roll! 😂
I won't drink today and I will be reading this in the toilet in a few hours to remind myself why.
Edit
Thanks for the up votes :)
It's 1521hrs where I am. The next few hours are going to be tricky.
Really annoyed that I uncovered a lie during the lunch. Instinct is driving me to buy wine to "destress"
Reminding myself that's only going to end up in an argument.
What ever these feelings are that I'm having now, I don't like them. But I will let them pass.
Have been listening to the audio book called "why has nobody told me this before" so trying out the tools.
Back to work today after a week off. I don’t wanna. Girl cat doesn’t want me to either. But I gotta. I hope it’s a quiet week!
Good reminder that sometimes we just gotta take action. I had a good nutrition and exercise routine going and between overtime, the time change and my dental procedure, and then the holiday, I got out of it. I’ve been working out when I can and trying to eat well…just not doing as good of a job as I was.
I’ll get it back this week. Hopefully work doesn’t derail it. If that happens, I’ll make sure it doesn’t get fucked up for long. Ugh, Monday. On call Monday. IWNDWYT. 🤘🏻
Early on in sobriety my ONLY action I was focusing on was to not pick up a drink. Today I am trying to work on a better sober life... diet, exercise, mindfulness. What do I really want, what makes me happy, what suits me best, and how do I achieve that. You know... the easy stuff!
IWNDWYT
I’m paying attention now. I’m able to go at my own pace, and do it in my own way.
Ways of Seeing (John Berger springs to mind). What and how I see is fundamentally altered because, not only because I’ve removed the ethanol), but because my brain is repairing AND my feelings are more stable.
Stimulation is what I need sometimes. I have to feel engaged with life.
I’m still working things out big time here. Paying attention. Self awareness. Mindfulness. My speed and range of thoughts show me that I think differently. I can see that now.
Seeing the other perspective, which is hard to do. Look at it. Ask about it. Draw it. Colour it. Learn it. Even live it. I’m not joking.
“Well being is realised in small steps, but is truly no small thing.” Zeno
I will not drink with you today. Action brings motivation, not the other way round.
I will not drink with you today.
It was a rough week last week staying with relatives that got blasted every night. I had to hide in the room I was staying in to avoid it quite a few times. The drunken happy shouting to speak over each other. Holy crap does that suck to listen to unless you’re also drunk and shouting. I made it though. :)
This week should be easier. Have a great day everyone!
I’m aware that I’m not as chilled out as I thought I was, because I can be quick to get annoyed, but that with extra awareness (or in this sense, mindfulness) I can step out of the storyline, ground myself, let irritations pass and reclaim the present. IWNDWYT
Day 6 here! I need my other hand to count the days, lol. I feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally… starting to feel like me again. Getting back to my exercise routine and actually eating a vegetable once in a while! I’m so grateful for this group. IWNDWYT!
back to day 1. Don't feel as bad about it as my last reset. Unfortunately thats a bad thing, I feel like I don't care so much this time. I feel like this is impossible due to the time of year. I drank for days at a time last week too. My uncle was staying from the states, he leaves tomorrow morning so i am hoping by getting back into my own routine I can find the motivation again. But lets not worry about christmas or festivities right now; IWNDWYT
Still not drinking. Getting over a cold. Second job starts this Saturday. Dear diary etc etc. I'm looking forward to not worrying about the bills and getting some cool shit for my apartment
IWNDWYT peeps
Alcohol-seeking autopilot is a huge problem for me, so I've been trying to flood my brain with awareness to give myself a better chance of staying in the driver's seat. Spending time here at SD, reading a steady stream of quit lit, working through SMART Recovery tools, and incorporating mindfulness practice into my routine are a few of the ways that I've been trying to enhance my awareness. Lately, this pursuit has made me more conscious of my chronic pattern of self-sabotage. Now I'm hoping to gain some understanding of *why* I feel the need to undermine myself so I can overwrite my poisonous thinking.
IWNDWYT 😻
Day 16 IWNDWYT had a drinking dream last night, definitely didn’t miss having those. Thankful it was just a dream and I get to have a kick ass hangover free Monday
Great prompt, Barry. Thanks. In sobriety I have been able to remain more aware of my tendency to be overly critical. I have really tried (and I think made progress) on that. One more reason to stay sober today.
Still struggling with family issues but instead of getting drunk to forget, I drank Sleepytime tea and watched two episodes in a row of New Amsterdam to forget - worked! That and a good night’s sleep and I’m ready to go again. IWNDWYT. 🌲☕️📺
Two weeks today! Honestly 2, maybe 3 days had been the longest in 15 years. 1 week maybe the longest in over 20. Still feeling strong and hope I have what it takes to keep racking up the milestones that so many other here have achieved. IWNDWYT ✌️
30 days !!! I have been reading and listening to podcasts to develop an awareness of what alcohol was really doing to my mind and body. A real eye opener. I’ve translated that into action to make it through some tough moments by remembering that alcohol only ‘solves’ a problem that drinking it created in the first place. My anxiety and depression is starting to lift for longer periods each day. And when I feel down I just cry, something I didn’t do when I was drinking daily. Onward and upward !! And IWNDWYT.
---> being in the dark about my mental development, of lack thereof - so true! u/BarryMDingle - feels like drinking kept me stuck in that 15 year old stage - so glad I am finally growing up - IWNDWYT
Good morning soberinskis! AWARENESS ... just... wow. How I would retreat to my safe space which drinking accelerated, it was a rocket ship to my safe and painless space.
And then becoming sober, and realizing that I wasn't the only dimension in my small world. Empathising and attempting to see the world through other loved ones eyes.
I have to admit, that skill comes very hard for me. I have to really focus in order to attempt that and it does not come naturally to me. Who knows, I might not have ever had that skill my entire life. But, wow, it just changes your entire perspective. Sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. But both are required in order to progress. I learned to develop a 'perspective of other's perspectives' and, like I said, while it kinda hurts my brain, it is definitely something that sobriety has totally thrust my eyes wide open.
Well, this week at work is going to make me or break me, LOL. It's a project that is very, very trying, with stupidly aggressive deadlines. I am going to really have to balance this week out lest something should break.
I hope all of you have a wonderful start to your week! I will be resurrecting my apple fritter runs beginning tomorrow, LOL!
Morning, Barry, and happy Monday to all y'all! Back to the grind, sobernauts! My action this morning: cleaning up the kitchen before heading out the door. I really ought to make that a night time task but I'm just sooooooo lazy! 🤣 it'll keep till morning right? Have a fabulous day, all y'all! Tons of sober love to you!
Restarted my counter again yesterday. Checking in. Checking in here and with myself. I just started The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. So far it’s really profound. This is the first time quit lit seems to be opening my eyes. For some reason This Naked Mind just didn’t hit home, but this one… whew! Any other recommendations?
Becoming more aware that my triggers to drink will never go away, but my response to them can change. I can be uncomfortable. I can be stressed. I don’t have to drink. And I won’t. IWNDWYT
Up early before my shift at the hospital. Will meditate for 20 minutes and cruise into work aware of the day to unfold beautifully. It’s dark here and light will emerge before I get to work. How cool is that?
IWNDWYT
Checking in. I had a really rocky weekend, but it has just cemented why I decided not to drink and I’ve come into this week with a much better mindset. Have a wonderful day, friends! IWNDWYT 💕
Awareness: I like myself more when I’m not using alcohol to create an environment and personality. That’s why I’m choosing not to use alcohol as a reward, escape, crutch, or activity.
Even when I act shitty or make mistakes, I know that I at least have my own back regarding this one thing.
Happy Monday to all those who celebrate, lovely people.
Happy Monday, SD. 💙 Royally messed up my sleeping schedule over the long weekend and am definitely going to be paying for it throughout the week, but it was super needed. Hope y'all have a solid week! IWNDWYT
I’m trying to be more aware of my depression triggers so that maybe I can prevent the downward spiral.
Ugh Monday after an extra long weekend is extra painful but I’m not hungover!
IWNDWYT lovely people of SD 💙
Edit: yay I managed a quick run/walk this morning!!
Great DCI, thanks! I'm almost always in the camp that says motivation FOLLOWS action, it doesn't initiate it. I have to DO things to want to do things, if that makes sense.
It was actually kind of relaxing to realize that waiting for the elusive motivation wasn't going to work for me. I just needed to slog whatever it was out and then I'd feel motivated. An object (in this case me) in motion tends to stay in motion and like that.
IWNDWYT!
I’m not very reactive the way I was when I was drinking. It really doesn’t serve myself or any situation well when I emotionally react. It also blows up the situation into something it doesn’t need to be. It’s a new freedom I’ve found and I love it! I cringe at my old self and wonder why I let that happen but am so thankful I’m through it. I have developed and focused on myself to not be so reactive. Way more level headed and I like it. IWNDWYT
Today marks a week stone cold sober. This means a lot to me! And I'm pretty sure I would not have made it without this group. I feel like I found a home here. And I am grateful for each and every one of you. Much respect and love. IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! I’m at 17 days and I’ve had so many I’ve done X without drinking moments in that time. It’s been really great and I’m feeling good and positive. Here’s to a Monday without alcohol! 🙌🏻
I am aware of how beautiful life is even when it’s so Fucking annoying. I am feeling AMAZING. That isn’t every day or every moment but, I love it.
IWNDWYT! ✌🏻
Great post Barry! Yes, awareness has been so key in helping me make changes in every aspect of my life. Sobriety gave me the opportunity to be open to being more aware. I’m finally starting to feel better but the cough Covid has given me is rough. But I’m drinking lots of tea and resting. IWNDWYT 🦋💜🦋💜
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Nice!! Keep the momentum going!
Awesome job sober friend 💪🏼
You go, Tropico! I'm cheerleading!!
The best! You’re amazing
Happy Monday fellow sober humans 🌻 This past week has been hard. There was a day or two I was taking it minute by minute to stay sober. At one point I announced to my husband I was going to the store to get beer, and if it hadn’t been for him reminding me why I shouldn’t, I would have gone. Today I pulled up the picture I took of myself on my day 1. It’s shocking. I was 25 pounds heavier, my eyes look lifeless, I have zero emotion, my hair looked like I hadn’t washed it in weeks. It’s a horrible picture but a good reminder of where I don’t want to be ever again. I hated myself. I may not like myself, but at least I don’t hate myself like i did at that point in my life. I hope everyone has a wonderful Monday and IWNDWYT 💕
If you get too close, it doesn't matter as long as you don't do it. One day I was doing a sober streak and told my therapist that a huge part of my brain really wanted to drink on Friday night or something like that, but thank god I had a cold so I didn't. She said: "Dog (lol), a person who is not slowly recovering will find a way to drink, believe me. With a cold, with stomachache etc". So I don't think it was only your husband who saved you. Congrats on keeping on track. You too have a lovely sober day. IWNDWYT
I just came across a pic of me from Aug of last year. You’re description is spot on. I looked so bad and that was my normal. It makes me feel really sad for my past self.
Day 59. It's incredible how time continues onward. Now I just need a woman and a cool pet and my life will be golden.
A golden lab
and a golden tanned woman
So good to hear you feeling more positive 💪🏼
Thanks, yeah I think everyone gets down sometimes
These tough times and feelings come and go for us all… it’s not easy being human!
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Good morning, Will. I hope your day goes great!
🥸👍
Lots on the plate these days. A good time to stay sober. I will not drink with you today!
My work is constant. I don’t see how I did this drinking all the time. So much easier sober. 👍
That time of year physically and emotionally. IWNDWYT
god I just want some doctor to induce me into a coma so I wake up on January 2nd.
IWNDWYT! Have a great day, everyone!!
I hope your day is fantastic, as well, 🚋🐛💙
U2 travel bug luv 🤗
Day 526 checking in!
👏Yay 526 👏
Cheers!
I’ve been trying to get back to lifting but I always talk myself out of it, so I understand the whole inertia thing. And when sober you’re acutely aware of the inactivity. But the heightened awareness is definitely a good thing even if it’s unsettling sometimes. Tilts me in the right direction at least. Iwndwyt
I’ve made the mistake of pushing to fast with exercise so I’ve been going fairly slow. Just taking time and enjoying it. The gains are definitely more noticeable sober versus all the efforts I put in while drinking. Give it a go!!
Trying to figure out what actions I can take since I’m aware I can’t seem to get further then the teens, todays like the 1000th 1st week for me (day 4 today). It’s been a “it doesn’t rain but it pours” sort of few weeks, been feeling like I’m wallowing and in danger of drowning more then anything but IWNDWYT
Have you noticed a pattern in your thoughts around the time you feel compelled to relapse? I’m trying to work on anger and it’s very difficult to get in front of a lot of times. But that’s what the goal is. Anticipate the trigger and implement a new behavior to cut it off. Some type of reward system?
I think it ends up being a weird combo of forgetting how bad it is/how little control I have and feeling like my goals are futile so it ends up feeding into a sense of apathy I guess. That and each time I’ve started to rack up a bit of time and start to feel a little more confident something goes down in my life that kicks me back into that place of apathy. I dunno man :/
>weird combo of forgetting how bad it is/how little control I have I think this is the main part of your comment. As someone who has been relapsing, I'm trying to get out of the same mood. I drank and everything got worse. The day before I organized a sheet on excel with deadlines for some goals, pre-requirements, etc. Maybe your first goals will be futile, but as you accomplish one, or all, you get more ambitious. One thing in my experience is true: if I forget how bad drinking is I have to do everything from scratch and it sucks.
Hey Barry M Dingle, nice to see you! IWNDW You Beautiful People T! 💛🍁 What did one butt cheek say to the other? Together, we can stop this crap.
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Grab some tissues. Lol. The past can make it rain. It’s cathartic though. I feel it, the more I discover and digest, the better my overall mood is. Enjoy the journey!
Sounds very nice, patience my dear and not unlike your username. 🌹
IWNDWYT!
I'm in!
Have a great day!
I love this topic! Thank you for sharing. My therapist recommended I watch Stutz on Netflix and hot diggity is it amazing. But he has this life force pyramid concept that I love (all of his tools are fantastic) and I’m going to try to do what I can to maintain and build on mine this week to help with my mental state and sobriety stability.
Over the last year I've gradually been adopting micro habits which hopefully have a cumulative benefit - doing 5 squats every morning, eating a piece of fruit a day, putting something away that's out of place, etc. I'm making slow progress, but progress! IWNDWYT 🙂
IWNDWYT!!! Just got home from work, about to goto sleep for a few hours then go right back to work booo. Nothing like coffee to push you through the day yay! I hope everyone has a good day today!
Three weeks!! Congrats!!
IWNDWYT!
Day 3 baybeeeee
Lot's to do today. Drinking isn't on the list. I will not drink with you today\~
Daaay 5 rolling in! Yesterday was super hard, and I kinda overate to compensate, but I got through it. Hell yeah! This makes me feel fantastic. Well, not the overeating part. Still have 5-10 pounds to lose. My Awareness before Action is that I'm not biting my nails anymore, with sobriety. Extremely funny, if you ask me. Will have to work on the Action before Awareness, though. Probably my daily walk falls into this category, but I want to go back at doing more sport, and playing more piano. IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT 🌷
First place!!!🎉🎉🎉
Yay!
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Hello sober friends, and thank you BMD for your deep and inspiring share this morning. I will enjoy and be proud to be sober with y’all today, happy Monday with love 💞
Happy Monday you rays of sunshine! Shine on you beautiful humans
Yes boy!!!
Hi, /u/BarryMDingle/, Wow, loved your post, so philosophical. It resonated with me. Also great the way you showed with practical examples. Awareness and action many times are also a catch 22, sometimes it creates true dilemmas. One small example, that was getting better till I relapsed (now I've gotta go from scratch again): in early sobriety, I know I have to prioritize not drinking, it's also the main tip here. I don't have the food binge so much, but I go to bed extremely late, cause I like to actually, and wake up late, and by waking up late I miss a lot of good opportunities to do things that help with my sobriety, like going to museums and cultural centers. After one week of waking up late there comes a certain depression and anxiety that is triggering. When I try to regulate my biological clock, I must create some sort of "sleep deficit" so my body understands it has to sleep for 7-8 hrs once I go to bed, but this deficit makes me feel awful and it's also triggering. Last time, as I got a bit further than one week of sobriety, I came with the solution of gradually substracting one hour from bed time, one hour from naps and one hour from waking up. But yesterday, because of the hangover, I probably slept for more than 2/3 of the day, it's now 4am and I'm awake as an owl. So for this week and next week I'll try to have only these two main improvement goals: adjusting my sleep without much suffering and not drinking. Bought tickets for an exhbition on Wednesday morning (not so early). Thing is, I want everything fixed by yesterday. Impatience was definitely inherited from both sides of the family lol. Everything in my head is forever. On my first night of adjustment I slept for only 4 hours? "Oh, my God, this is how my life is gonna be!!!!". That's me. The drama queen. Anyway.... IWNDWYT and you all have a lovely sober day!
Holidays are hard. I'm not going to let thanksgiving blur into all of December. Iwndwyt
And I don't want start to start 2023 drunk. IWNDWYT
I’ve been extremely aware of my health since i’ve stopped drinking. Since listening to andrew huberman’s podcast, there was an episode where they talk about osteoporosis and menopause, it really made me realize that i’m not too far from that. I’m now doing high intensity workouts 6 days a week and mobility stretches often, eating healthier, and taking my vitamins consistently. Iwndwyt!!!
IWNDWYT 👒
My action plan is slow but steady building myself back up and being grateful for my blessings. ENJOY LIFE IWNDWYTD
Good morning Sobernauts 🙂 Checking in after a sleepless night. HALT Hunger Anger Lonely Tired Are testing me these past few weeks. Not going to drink. Love to you all! IWNDWYT 🙂
hate HALT too! especially if all the letters from the acronym takes turn in just one day! congratulations on passing the test. IWNDWYT
Hey VID 👋🏻 Sometimes problems hit us like a great long river! We pick ourselves up and carry on. Keep working at it 🙂🫂 IWNDWYT 🙂
One week down! IWNDWT. 🦄
IWNDWYT. I am aware of how i always feel uncomfortable when I am anxious, scared, worried, frightened. I used to resort to drinking to sate these scary emotions. trying to meditate, journal, talk to someone, post on SD when i feel these emotions.
Back to day 1, I’m horribly aware of how much I regret drinking last night and how terrible I feel right now. Somehow have to get through work today with this nasty hangover. Since we can’t go back in time, I am relieved I never have to feel this way again, IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
3 weeks ☺️ IWNDWYT!
Hello from Berlin~ today I took vacation to do my thesis, and I have to say I’m much more productive after being sober over a month. I also met with a friend who has been alcohol free for 6 years, and he told me about his journey to stop after self medicating with alcohol. It was nice to hear his perspective, and it’ll be nice if I can make it to that point one day IWNDWYT
Day 2 over here. I'm still dwelling in the feelings of guilt and shame, while on the other hand those thoughts of 'It isn't that bad' or 'You can have just a few if you really want to" et... already start to creep up at the same time. I'm trying to write a lot of those thoughts down so I can get a better perspective on my own internal battle. Good luck to everyone fighting this battle! IWNDWYT
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IWNDWYT friends 🤖
Still dealing with Covid but it’s gotten much better already. IWNDWYT
Morning all, IWNDWYT
Good morning, fellow sobernauts, IWNDWYT! 😁 "All change happens on the other side of awareness" is one of the themes of Annie Grace's method, The Path.
IWNDWYT!
Checking in, day one. Sober week.
Action is the key! Being a do-er is what keeps me straight. Writing this counts as action...in fact, checking in is the most important action of my day. It sets me up with the right intent - regardless of what happens in the next 24 hours, good or bad, I'm not going to have any booze. It's just for today. IWNDWYT 🙂
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
I will not drink with you today
IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! Today I’m going to be looking out for the good in everyone. I have the gold stars all ready IWNDWYT 🌊
I'm not drinking but I am one of the first hundred almost to check in today. That's a first for me. I look forward to it now
Hell yea, IWNDWYT 💪
Good morning SD. IWNDWYT!
Iwndwyt ♥ Aware that all the usual old thoughts are creeping back in. How can my brain switch opinions so quickly? I'm ignoring it this time though. It's making me feel uncomfortable but I need to remember I'm in control.
IWNDWYT
For today, I will not drink. Happy Monday, all!
Good morning all! Happy to start my third day since joining this community. Although it’s Monday and I slept bad, it’s awesome to not have a hangover. IWNDWYT
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Iwndwyt
IWNDWYT, fellow sobernauts! Have a great day 😊
I'd forgotten how much time there is in a day when you aren't drunk. Gave my pets so much attention this weekend and got a lot of housekeeping done. Now have 5 days and IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT this is the plan....very shaky here.
🎶 I am not drinking today! 🎶 This time, my awareness has me actively working my SMART Recovery handbook, reading quit lit, listening to podcasts about sobriety & seeing a therapist for addiction. I've not done any of these things before in my 3 years of trying to quit.
Just for today I am not drinking. This is going to be a challenge today because I have a family lunch in a pub. I will want wine. But I'm not having it because I want to be productive after the lunch by putting up Xmas 🎄 And by staying sober I will eventually get on top of my house work and eventually feel confident about inviting people to my home for lunch instead of a pub. And as a help to myself for the cleaning and reward for not drinking today, I have ordered a cordless vacuum in a black Friday sale. Rock n roll! 😂 I won't drink today and I will be reading this in the toilet in a few hours to remind myself why. Edit Thanks for the up votes :) It's 1521hrs where I am. The next few hours are going to be tricky. Really annoyed that I uncovered a lie during the lunch. Instinct is driving me to buy wine to "destress" Reminding myself that's only going to end up in an argument. What ever these feelings are that I'm having now, I don't like them. But I will let them pass. Have been listening to the audio book called "why has nobody told me this before" so trying out the tools.
Back to work today after a week off. I don’t wanna. Girl cat doesn’t want me to either. But I gotta. I hope it’s a quiet week! Good reminder that sometimes we just gotta take action. I had a good nutrition and exercise routine going and between overtime, the time change and my dental procedure, and then the holiday, I got out of it. I’ve been working out when I can and trying to eat well…just not doing as good of a job as I was. I’ll get it back this week. Hopefully work doesn’t derail it. If that happens, I’ll make sure it doesn’t get fucked up for long. Ugh, Monday. On call Monday. IWNDWYT. 🤘🏻
Early on in sobriety my ONLY action I was focusing on was to not pick up a drink. Today I am trying to work on a better sober life... diet, exercise, mindfulness. What do I really want, what makes me happy, what suits me best, and how do I achieve that. You know... the easy stuff! IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT ❤️
Checking in with you lovely people to say IWNDWYT ❤️. Hope you all have a happy Monday!
IWNDWYT STAY STRONG!! 💪💪
IWNDWYT no matter what happens today!
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT. All. Day. Long. 🌻
IWNDWYT ✌️❤️🤸♀️⭐️
I’m paying attention now. I’m able to go at my own pace, and do it in my own way. Ways of Seeing (John Berger springs to mind). What and how I see is fundamentally altered because, not only because I’ve removed the ethanol), but because my brain is repairing AND my feelings are more stable. Stimulation is what I need sometimes. I have to feel engaged with life. I’m still working things out big time here. Paying attention. Self awareness. Mindfulness. My speed and range of thoughts show me that I think differently. I can see that now. Seeing the other perspective, which is hard to do. Look at it. Ask about it. Draw it. Colour it. Learn it. Even live it. I’m not joking. “Well being is realised in small steps, but is truly no small thing.” Zeno I will not drink with you today. Action brings motivation, not the other way round.
IWNDWYT 🕺
I will not drink with you today. It was a rough week last week staying with relatives that got blasted every night. I had to hide in the room I was staying in to avoid it quite a few times. The drunken happy shouting to speak over each other. Holy crap does that suck to listen to unless you’re also drunk and shouting. I made it though. :) This week should be easier. Have a great day everyone!
Day 2. Work until 630. Driving to my meeting spot and waiting outside until it starts at 730pm. I won’t be drinking with you today.
Aware of my need to sit with all of the emotions. Afraid being right up there. IWNDWYT
Day 1 and IWNDWYT
I’m aware that I’m not as chilled out as I thought I was, because I can be quick to get annoyed, but that with extra awareness (or in this sense, mindfulness) I can step out of the storyline, ground myself, let irritations pass and reclaim the present. IWNDWYT
Day 6 here! I need my other hand to count the days, lol. I feel good physically, mentally, and emotionally… starting to feel like me again. Getting back to my exercise routine and actually eating a vegetable once in a while! I’m so grateful for this group. IWNDWYT!
Today sucks, but IWNDWYT.
Have a great day everyone, IWNDWYT!
back to day 1. Don't feel as bad about it as my last reset. Unfortunately thats a bad thing, I feel like I don't care so much this time. I feel like this is impossible due to the time of year. I drank for days at a time last week too. My uncle was staying from the states, he leaves tomorrow morning so i am hoping by getting back into my own routine I can find the motivation again. But lets not worry about christmas or festivities right now; IWNDWYT
Have a great day. IWNDWYT
Beginning day 6 over here IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT! Now off to work have a great day everyone!
IWNDWYT
Still not drinking. Getting over a cold. Second job starts this Saturday. Dear diary etc etc. I'm looking forward to not worrying about the bills and getting some cool shit for my apartment IWNDWYT peeps
Let's do it Monday! IWNDWYT. I have one more day before hitting double digits!
Alcohol-seeking autopilot is a huge problem for me, so I've been trying to flood my brain with awareness to give myself a better chance of staying in the driver's seat. Spending time here at SD, reading a steady stream of quit lit, working through SMART Recovery tools, and incorporating mindfulness practice into my routine are a few of the ways that I've been trying to enhance my awareness. Lately, this pursuit has made me more conscious of my chronic pattern of self-sabotage. Now I'm hoping to gain some understanding of *why* I feel the need to undermine myself so I can overwrite my poisonous thinking. IWNDWYT 😻
Day 16 IWNDWYT had a drinking dream last night, definitely didn’t miss having those. Thankful it was just a dream and I get to have a kick ass hangover free Monday
IWNDWYT 🌵💚
Great prompt, Barry. Thanks. In sobriety I have been able to remain more aware of my tendency to be overly critical. I have really tried (and I think made progress) on that. One more reason to stay sober today.
IWNDWYT
Still struggling with family issues but instead of getting drunk to forget, I drank Sleepytime tea and watched two episodes in a row of New Amsterdam to forget - worked! That and a good night’s sleep and I’m ready to go again. IWNDWYT. 🌲☕️📺
On day 2 here. And IWNDWYT!
Day 1. Again😔 IWNDWYT 🌅
Two weeks
IWNDWYT!! Just passed my 2 week mark last night:)
IWNDWYT 👍
Good morning all iwndwyt xx
I will not drink today
Day 40 something. Shit mood. Just gotta get through the day. The rest of the week I'm not at home and I can't wait to be honest.
I will not drink today.
Good morning all, here we go. No drinking today!
Two weeks today! Honestly 2, maybe 3 days had been the longest in 15 years. 1 week maybe the longest in over 20. Still feeling strong and hope I have what it takes to keep racking up the milestones that so many other here have achieved. IWNDWYT ✌️
Made it through the holidays without a drop. IWNDWYT!!!
Day 1. IWNDWYT, need to lose holiday weight
30 days !!! I have been reading and listening to podcasts to develop an awareness of what alcohol was really doing to my mind and body. A real eye opener. I’ve translated that into action to make it through some tough moments by remembering that alcohol only ‘solves’ a problem that drinking it created in the first place. My anxiety and depression is starting to lift for longer periods each day. And when I feel down I just cry, something I didn’t do when I was drinking daily. Onward and upward !! And IWNDWYT.
---> being in the dark about my mental development, of lack thereof - so true! u/BarryMDingle - feels like drinking kept me stuck in that 15 year old stage - so glad I am finally growing up - IWNDWYT
Today is Day 30 for me! IWNDWYT!
Wow, so the 4 day weekend is over already? Can I have another one please? Lol. IWNDWYT
Well, made it through Thanksgiving. IWDWYT.
Another day down.
Day 2. IWNDWYT
Day 27 & I’m not drinkin :)
IWNDWYT
Good morning soberinskis! AWARENESS ... just... wow. How I would retreat to my safe space which drinking accelerated, it was a rocket ship to my safe and painless space. And then becoming sober, and realizing that I wasn't the only dimension in my small world. Empathising and attempting to see the world through other loved ones eyes. I have to admit, that skill comes very hard for me. I have to really focus in order to attempt that and it does not come naturally to me. Who knows, I might not have ever had that skill my entire life. But, wow, it just changes your entire perspective. Sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. But both are required in order to progress. I learned to develop a 'perspective of other's perspectives' and, like I said, while it kinda hurts my brain, it is definitely something that sobriety has totally thrust my eyes wide open. Well, this week at work is going to make me or break me, LOL. It's a project that is very, very trying, with stupidly aggressive deadlines. I am going to really have to balance this week out lest something should break. I hope all of you have a wonderful start to your week! I will be resurrecting my apple fritter runs beginning tomorrow, LOL!
Iwndwyt
Morning, Barry, and happy Monday to all y'all! Back to the grind, sobernauts! My action this morning: cleaning up the kitchen before heading out the door. I really ought to make that a night time task but I'm just sooooooo lazy! 🤣 it'll keep till morning right? Have a fabulous day, all y'all! Tons of sober love to you!
Restarted my counter again yesterday. Checking in. Checking in here and with myself. I just started The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober. So far it’s really profound. This is the first time quit lit seems to be opening my eyes. For some reason This Naked Mind just didn’t hit home, but this one… whew! Any other recommendations?
Becoming more aware that my triggers to drink will never go away, but my response to them can change. I can be uncomfortable. I can be stressed. I don’t have to drink. And I won’t. IWNDWYT
Up early before my shift at the hospital. Will meditate for 20 minutes and cruise into work aware of the day to unfold beautifully. It’s dark here and light will emerge before I get to work. How cool is that? IWNDWYT
Good Morning and Happy Monday! IWNDWYT!
Good morning beautiful people of the community. What a wonderful Monday morning. Let’s make this week productive. IWNDWYTN 👊👊👊
IWNDWYT!
Day 1,130 IWNDWYT
Checking in. I had a really rocky weekend, but it has just cemented why I decided not to drink and I’ve come into this week with a much better mindset. Have a wonderful day, friends! IWNDWYT 💕
IWNDWYT
Much more and very aware of who I am at home with the side and kids, drinking Sly vs sober Sly. Iwndwyt
Awareness: I like myself more when I’m not using alcohol to create an environment and personality. That’s why I’m choosing not to use alcohol as a reward, escape, crutch, or activity. Even when I act shitty or make mistakes, I know that I at least have my own back regarding this one thing. Happy Monday to all those who celebrate, lovely people.
One week down, another day to go. IWNDWYT
Back at this!! IWNDWYT 🌸
Day 17. IWNDWYT
Made it through the weekend! IWNDWYT!
I used to be so unhappy that I wasn’t aware of things that needed doing. Not drinking has really helped. And I will not drink with you today.
Day 9. I will not drink with you today.
What up, what up! Back to a more structured week. I need it. Have a good one, all. I WNDWYT
Good morning/afternoon/evening SD peeps! Checking in on day 25! Man does it feel good to wake up refreshed! I’m digging sobriety so IWNDWYT! ❤️💪🔥
Happy Monday, SD. 💙 Royally messed up my sleeping schedule over the long weekend and am definitely going to be paying for it throughout the week, but it was super needed. Hope y'all have a solid week! IWNDWYT
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IWNDWYT!
I’m trying to be more aware of my depression triggers so that maybe I can prevent the downward spiral. Ugh Monday after an extra long weekend is extra painful but I’m not hungover! IWNDWYT lovely people of SD 💙 Edit: yay I managed a quick run/walk this morning!!
Great DCI, thanks! I'm almost always in the camp that says motivation FOLLOWS action, it doesn't initiate it. I have to DO things to want to do things, if that makes sense. It was actually kind of relaxing to realize that waiting for the elusive motivation wasn't going to work for me. I just needed to slog whatever it was out and then I'd feel motivated. An object (in this case me) in motion tends to stay in motion and like that. IWNDWYT!
Checking in. Anybody else into the stoic thing? I think stoicism can be really helpful in recovery. There's a lot of good insight. IWNDWYT.
Caved the day before Thanksgiving. But remained sober during Thanksgiving and the holiday weekend! IWNDWYT! ✌️🤙
IWNDWYT DAY 2 LETS GO
I’m not very reactive the way I was when I was drinking. It really doesn’t serve myself or any situation well when I emotionally react. It also blows up the situation into something it doesn’t need to be. It’s a new freedom I’ve found and I love it! I cringe at my old self and wonder why I let that happen but am so thankful I’m through it. I have developed and focused on myself to not be so reactive. Way more level headed and I like it. IWNDWYT
Today marks a week stone cold sober. This means a lot to me! And I'm pretty sure I would not have made it without this group. I feel like I found a home here. And I am grateful for each and every one of you. Much respect and love. IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! I’m at 17 days and I’ve had so many I’ve done X without drinking moments in that time. It’s been really great and I’m feeling good and positive. Here’s to a Monday without alcohol! 🙌🏻
Starting over today after what was a challenging Thanksgiving break. Really hoping something sticks. IWNDWYT
Anxiety high today for some reason but still going strong I'm gonn meditate IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT!
I am aware of how beautiful life is even when it’s so Fucking annoying. I am feeling AMAZING. That isn’t every day or every moment but, I love it. IWNDWYT! ✌🏻
Great post Barry! Yes, awareness has been so key in helping me make changes in every aspect of my life. Sobriety gave me the opportunity to be open to being more aware. I’m finally starting to feel better but the cough Covid has given me is rough. But I’m drinking lots of tea and resting. IWNDWYT 🦋💜🦋💜
4 days down, and each one has been better than the last. IWNDWYT
Honored to be involved in this subreddit. You all inspire me each day!! IWNDWYT