We should really introduce a ‘don’t like’ button to this forum 
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I would not go that far @Dirk , I think it’s worth earing. I am not a religious person but I have gold scholar knowledge of western monotheistic branches and I respect the underlying values.
I just happen to work in a field when it is better to recognized when a situation is f*cked, accept it and deal with it rather than entertaining delusion.
But again, no arm done
Alright, time to go back home, this week was challenging but I managed. No drink, no stupid choice. But not as many workout I would have hoped. Those trip are taking their roll. It’s up at 5AM, jet lag, quick breakfast and basically no time to eat decently until you crash at midnight in your bed.
The local team has of course arranged as many meetings as they csn, every day, all day. With business lunches and maybe dinner. Staying away from alcool is very hard and awkward. But hey, that’s what we chose.
Next week at home with the kids will be easier and then up to Norway and in November USA and then back home, then middle east. Then usa. And then Christmas.
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I made it back home after a painful 20h journey over 2 flights. For some reason I managed to hurt my back. It’s really painful and there is no other choice than to live through it as I still had to drive, still had to wake up, take care of the house, prepare for the kids return, and work a bit of course. All with this pain in the back.
I can tell you that moments like this, a good drink to numb the pain is really tempting. Luckily I still had some médecine I could take. It’s not much but it’s necessary to function and I had a few pills left from the last time this happened. - that bad was probably a year ago or something.
So it will be a challenge. Especially when I have to drive. But I went through much worse. So it will be fine. I still managed without a drink yesterday and that I can take to the bank. have a good weekend folks, thank for being here.
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Glad you made it home safe, @Cleon.
I don’t know the details of your back pain, but I have always had good experiences with a heat pack for lower back pain. Maybe that’s something to look into? You can buy disposable ones at the pharmacy or invest in one that is microwave heatable and can be used over and over again.
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Thank you. That’s what I did
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And so today I hit the 20 days mark. I am back at home so it will be easier this week. Next week is trade show. And that is a challenge. Oh and my back is still broken. So not a fun week in perspective and that’s now I wanted to celebrate this 20 days chip, however Virtual.
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Thank you!!!
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Today I start something else. I always wanted to learn music so let’s give it a start. It would be a first very personal project in a long time.
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Some time no see friend. Hope you’re good.
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Hi Mno. Not really. I had to reset my timer. Last week I was at a conference and there were dîners with customers. I have been trapped. Not that I was forced. It was still my decision. It is just that I decided to ease the relationship with those clients to get the business at the expense of my own health. Don’t we all…
No more. I decided that sobriety comes before all else. It’s literally life or death for me. No way any business comes before that. I also doubt very much I have another quit in me. Should I relapse that could very well be it for me.
And also, wasn’t this a perfect moment for the addicted part of your brain to make you drink? Hope you can be sober again. You want to be for good reasons. Take care.
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Yes, one day at a time. My preferred version is “not right now.” Attempting to solve all your problems at this moment in time is not realistic. Make it easy on yourself. Your anxiety will lighten up as you sober up. Anxiety is one of the ways alcohol hooks us. Much of the pain you’re experiencing is alcoholism. I promise you will begin to see a path open if you stay the course. If you have an AA chapter in your area, you might try it. Support from others will be a benefit to you.
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In my experience, business associates and friends only react briefly to your choice of drink. After a few weeks, they’ll carry on as usual and not give you a second thought. Now, everyone knows my preference and will, as a matter of course, bring me mineral water with lemon. You teach them how to treat you. If you are cool and confident, they will respond in kind.
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A bit of advice: don’t discuss your sobriety with your business colleagues. If they ask, just say, I feel better when I don’t drink, and leave it at that. Save your drinking issues for this forum or AA. What they think or how they react is not your business.
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If this is the situation you are in and the ‘choice’ you are facing, it is high time to look for another job!
I used to be ‘caught’ in that vicious cycle of business entertainment, business travel, lack of sleep, performance pressures etc. and yes, they gave me plenty of ‘cause’ to drink. When all is stripped away though, what is true is that only you choose to drink/use… Or not to, hopefully, next time the ‘opportunity’ comes knocking on the door.
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Hi Dirk. Well I consciously know all that. The issue is, after 50y of existence, what I do for a living is literally the only thing that never let me down. The only thing that never failed me or backstabbed me.
Friends, Family and lovers hurt me so much more than the job. Actually, as I said, I did not get caught in Drinking because of the job. But because of a failed relationship.
The job is The one thing in life that is predictable for me. I had different employers, different functions in big and small companies but I am good at what I do. Really good. And people always noticed. Quitting “the job” would be the Ultimate failure. Being left with nothing. I don’t think it’s the right course of action.
I don’t think just working will be enough though. The opposite of addiction is connection. You have your children. That’s a whole lot more than nothing. And yes, people at times will hurt you and sometimes a lot. We still need 'm though. I do for sure and I do think we all do. We exist because of our connections.
Anyway, I am sure you don’t need to drink to conduct your business. It might be less easy at first. Maybe it’s even less easy period although I highly doubt that. Different. Yes. But it not’s necessary to drink to do your work. That’s addictions lying voice.
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Well, you are right, the job does not “require drinking”. It’s just I. Some culture, if you get a deal, and don’t, it’s really tricky. In china for instance. And I did not go over board btw. But it’s still a reset.
I don’t agree with the need for connexion as a general statement. I understand people who need and want attachement and as a species you are right of course. But personally, I don’t think I want to form deep connections anymore.
I don’t want to detail too much what I do for a living or what I have done but I must say it is a job with meaning and impact for many people across the globe. I was blessed with this ability to perform at this level.
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