Am I an alcoholic? 20 years of drinking...is it time to admit?

Wow i just built my first vision board ever at 36yo. It was awesome. I have such a sense of wellbeing after a guided meditation and class to envision what my 2024 will become. Woooyeee ill share details later. For now, i rest

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So…my 2024 vision quest…

It was a lovely, guided experience. We were given craft supplies, directions, and a guided meditation for motivation.

We drew a large circle and identified the areas in life i would want to focus on in 2024. I chose health, relationships, sobriety, career, intuition, and savings. I will share one of my top affirmations for each category.

HEALTH: I will meet my weightloss goal by the deadline.
RELATIONSHIPS w/ Others: I communicate clearly and concisely with compassion
RELATIONSHIPS w/ Self: I am beautiful and accept myself for who I truly am.
SOBRIETY: I have strengthened my relationship with my higher power.
CAREER: I am confident in my abilities.
INTUITION: I trust my intuition.
SAVINGS: We will fully fund our emergency savings fund.

This was such a wonderful experience and I left with such a warm, positive sense of wellbeing. I feel a level of acceptance, humility, and hope.

I accept that I can not control people, places, or things.
I am open and humble so as not to be driven by ego.
I have hope of another year full of progress, not perfection, but progress.

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That’s pretty cool!!

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Amazing! Thanks for sharing this with us CJ. A wonderful note to start off the new year! Many great affirmations :heart:

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Thank you so much for sharing. I’m exactly where you are at, as well. This was my first sober NY eve in probably 30 years. I’ve done dry January for the last 3 years to prove to myself that I’m not an alcoholic. Then comes February and I jump back into my old pattern. This year, I’ve tie another goal to my focus - to get down to my ideal weight. This will take me past the 31 days in January.

Your not alone, stay strong!

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Congrats on getting thru your 1st new years sober in a long time! Those first are daunting but so rewarding when you’re on the other side. Good luck on your weightloss journey. Alot of us post to the below thread to hold ourselves accountable

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Good morning sober fam,

Im due to update my thread on my sobriety journey.

20.8 months sober from weed and alcohol
5 months and change sober from a very serious vaping addiction

Life is very hectic at the moment. Work stress. Relationship kinks. Personal expectations. The continous reminders that i can not control everything.

Ive officially won my weightloss bet! 50lbs in a little short of one year! Thats massive. Yet ive made it and im not satisfied. Im working thru this in therapy bc its an ongoing theme. I set a goal. I focus. I achieve the goal. I feel very little satisfaction from meeting my goal and set a new goal. Ive always been like this. Im not sure where that comes from but an idea ive come to is the thought of “im not good enough yet” i plan to explore this subconscious thought pattern this year.

Its just hard because goal making and progress and determination are great traits of successful people. Its just i think i take it to an unhealthy extreme. Thats what im learning, or trying to learn, in this second year of sobriety is balance.

Leaving on a once in a lifetime vacation in less than a week! This time next thursday i will be flying to coasta rica. Im soooo excited. I worked with a local travel agent so im hopeful things like lodging and transportation go smoothe. Its a small fortune for this 12 day adventure. Ill be sure to make the most of it. Good thing i wont be wasting time drinking or hungover.

Continuing my life towards surrender and acceptance and balance. One fricken day at a time.

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Oh i do hope you are able to unwrap this. So very proud of all that you have done my friend. You have done so much in 20.8 months! Hoping that you will find so sense of accomplishment. In the mean time i will be extra proud of you :hugs:

Super excited for your upcoming vacation! You deserve to have a fantastic time CJ!

ODAAT :hugs: :muscle:

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I love reading your journey and your honesty. You’re doing amazing :blush::heart:

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Awesome! My spouse and I are heading there in July for two weeks on a tour. It’s kind of a pre-retirement scouting trip for us. The blessings of sobriety shower all over us!

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I’m so proud of you Cjp for achieving all your goals.
I know that feeling of not being satisfied the way I wished and feeling not good enough.
But yeah working on a balance is a good work for me too.
I really love the vision quest you posted above.
The affirmations are very inspiring.
Thank you @Cjp for sharing and supporting me and everyone else :pray:
You’re a wonderful person!
Wishing you a wonderful vacation. Have a great time :sun_with_face:

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Awww thanks so much you guys for sharing today!

@JazzyS thanks for the praise, one day it will sink in! Until then we’ll just chat about our crazy intricacies

@adeygaga49 your comment touched my :heart: Yeah i started this thread to document my journey so i dont forget but also to share because reading others stories here has helped me too

@SinceIAwoke where ya scouting? Im heading to the touristy parts. Ohhh have you heard of blue zones. Its a designation for areas where people live a good quality, long life. Apparently on the west coast peninsula theres one blue zone. It Maybe magic water :slight_smile: or lifestyle or genetics who knows

@happyfeet thanks so much for sharing anne balance has always been a struggle for me and ever since acknowledging im an addict it made me realize how i do alot in extremes. I look forward to reading how you are finding balance in your journey

Love you guys

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You are inspiring to watch CJ. Enjoy your trip, you definitely earned this reward.

I am also a goal girl which makes staying present hard. I always tend to look forward. Maybe make your goal, no new goal until you get back from Costa Rica?

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Great advice @TrustyBird my goal is no new goal. Just enjoy the coasta rican adventure

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Holy moly apparently with the fun and excitement of vacation i only need like 6hrs of sleep. Im powered by my curiosity and desire for adventure.

I had a wonderful moment in tamarindo costa rica. Hubby and i sat in a bar, listening to live music, him drinking an orange fanta and me drinking a refreshing fresca. I had an out of body moment of perspective. I was overcome with gratitude at the realization that if i told past me 1.75yrs ago in active addiction that i would be sober, on vacation in costa rica, and having so much fun i woulnt have believed you. This is an amazing adventure. Pura vida.

1,300,000yr old guanacaste tree

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No words needed, your facial expressions tell us you’re having the time of your life. And you’re surfing! How awesomely fun is that?! You go girl!
Thank you for sharing such a special time in your life will all of us. Couldn’t be prouder of you. :heart_eyes:

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Aww thanks @Lisa07 powered by sobriety

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Oh my gosh!!! This is simply amazing and beautiful to read and see!! It looks so incredibly magical and you look so relaxed and gloriously happy!! Thank you for sharing your story and joy!! Viva sobriety!!

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Random thoughts on this costs rican adventure

You never know how big a roll you play in someones story
Bimbo my surf coach
Bianco our lovely driver who talked with me on the 5hr
drive bw cities
Us in someone elses wedding photos at the base of
Arenal volcano, she asked

How powerful mother nature is and how humbling it is in the wild

How small you are in the scheme of things

Check your ego at the door and listen to your body cues

Pura vida

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