I used to love to write. Somewhere along the way between career and other life stuff that got lost.
I bought a new journal back in May of this year thinking I would like to start writing again. I was hoping it would help me better deal with my emotions and anxiety, but I was drinking pretty heavily at the time and only made one entry which tbh I can barely read (see below).
I am officially now one week sober after Detox and will finally have a chance to start fresh!
For those interested, I believe the undated entry says something like “First entry should have been there days ago, but I’ve been drunk and hungover. Hoping to do better.”
“Why do I [illegible] want to drink [illegible]”
Congrats on choosing to detox and on your week sober! I love journaling/writing also. And like you, I attempted to at times when I was still drinking heavily and have found similar scribblings. If you’re interested, here’s a post about finding one of mine: Journal post
May I recommend you write something below that sentence in response as your new sober self and then start fresh on the next page? I just can see how that would be such a powerful entry and reminder of what you’re leaving behind and what you’re working on now.
Thanks! That is exactly what I am planning to do. Like you mentioned in your earlier post, I too am learning to treat the whole person. I am only now (very belatedly) realizing that the alcohol is just a symptom of something much deeper. Detox, therapy and meditation have been helping, but I have a long way to go. One day at a time.
PS… Your drunk penmanship was much better than mine
Ha! Not by much!
I’m glad to hear that your approach is focusing on your whole self. Getting a grasp of how to do that for my own self has made a big difference in my recovery and overall wellness. Some parts of us require more attention than others at times, and that’s normal. But a big picture perspective is helpful. Hope you will continue to include participating actively in this community as part of that, as the opposite of addiction is connection.
Iv’e gone back and read past entries in my own journal I wrote when I was plastered. Really awful attempts at writing poetry. I must have thought I was Edgar Allan Poe.
Many have said some of the healthiest things come from putting pen to paper. I have a letter to myself, “read me first” before you drink again… and I wrote it when all the demon memories were still new and fresh.
Haven’t needed to look at it since I wrote it. That’s a good thing.
You never, ever need/have to do day 7 again. Be that great writer!
