Stay the course! Play the tape through. There is a solution - and it isn’t alcohol! Try to eat something somewhat healthy. Eat sugar/carbs if you need it to combat the cravings. I ate lots of cake and chocolate in early sobriety. And drank cases of fruit flavored sparkling water. Drank hot tea at night. Which I had never had before. Reach out here if you need to. Just don’t pick up. 
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Checking in - seems like I have some sad feelings still lingering although generally I’m doing okay, like I’m making progress but there’s always something hanging on me. I spent the day just sort of being with the feelings and myself. Tried not to isolate too badly but I think my husband feels like I’m a bit absent at the moment. There are a few things weighing on my mind, plus some physical pain from a muscle strain in my ribs that hurts when I breathe, it all piles on. And here comes the heat, starting tomorrow for real, though today was pretty hot, it’s just the beginning. The heat and I don’t mix well! I sometimes don’t check in here when I feel like all I can say is not the most positive leaning, and I also definitely can’t keep up with this busy thread. It is neat to see so many new folks here, though, along with some long time folks, too.
I’ll end this check in with a few pics of the not so secret path my husband found recently in our neighborhood that empties out into the downtown area and then another path up to the empty lot behind our house. What a find! We walked past the opening to it so many times and didn’t see it! Makes for a great evening stroll. The view of the Mississippi River and the bridge, etc., is lovely.
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Your right a small thing shouldnt matter to much and now it dont but when it happened it did lol. Hope you have an awesome day aswell.
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Checking in on day 9,
Keep fighting 
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Checking in between shuttling the kids around. Soccer practice next. Giving in to tons of sweet cravings right and left. Seems like I just can’t fill that emptiness. Oh well tomorrow is a new day for us all. A drink won’t help me, and I’d be right back where I started. Which was a mess.
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Sweets are better than booze. But at some point, I highly recommend addressing the emptiness. It doesn’t go away on its own. Sending you strength. Keep growing those sober muscles. Do it one day, one hour, one minute at a time if needed. 
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Day 26. Still having anxiety attacks and mood swings but it’s a little better today. Cravings are more manageable but they are also more insidious and sneaky.
My elder son returned to his college yesterday. It’s his last semester. When I hugged him, just before he went into the airport, it was a strange feeling. Time passes by so fast. Somehow, before I even realised it, the kid who used to ride on my shoulders, has left the nest. Sad but inevitable.
My motorbike is almost done too. Took it for a test ride today morning. Just enough to open the throttle a wee bit. The feeling is still the same. A feeling almost primeval. It still needs a bit of fixing and a few more parts need to be replaced. After that I will be ready for the mountains. My ankle is getting better too. Everything is healing.
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A beautiful day.
Did some running around for my daughters birthday, got myself all irritated because it took longer then I wanted - vented to my hubby a bit and hes like what can I do? And I said, nothing I just have to stop rushing. Why am I rushing? Calm down. Things take as long as they take, sometimes longer. I have been going at such a high speed with the 3 kids, have to learn to slow down. Not just what Im doing, but my mind too.
I am: fitting my little work outs in, sticking to 2 cups of regular coffee, watching the moments when they present themselves, writing things down, pausing to be greatful.
Today was my daughters birthday. Its the most emotional one for me I can remember. She seems to be going from a little girl to a big girl, and I am so grateful for her and her spirit. I am realizing the shame/guilt that starts young for girls to be good girls, and how society shames girls who deviate from that. Recognizing shame/guilt in myself and how I want to heal and challenge those assumptions I have internally, so I can helo my daughter deal with these expectations that will be placed on her as well and come to recognize how we internalize them - and how to reject them. I know the best thing I can do for my children is to continue to work on myself, and deal with things inside of myself that are challenging so I can be an example for them. Not a perfect one, but a human one.
So grateful for today. Her excitement and joy, and watching her share that with us and her brother and grandparents. When it came time to make her wish she said her wish had already come true, to have the best birthday with her family. I gave her a big hug and told her how sweet that is, and she can wish for something else - fun and silly even. She thought a minute and then excitedly turned to her brother and said “I dont need a wish, c’mon lets blow out the candles!”.
Theres something to be taken from that. What a beautiful soul.
Wishing you all another 24. Everyday cant always be sunshine, but the joy wouldnt feel so good if it wasnt for rain. Xo
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4 months clean from marijuana!
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Thanks @JazzyS 
.
Day 23.
Waiting for the metal show to start 
. Did NOT get hand stamped for booze. 
Was running around busy before my boyfriend got off work, so I’m taking a rest day from working out. To be honest, I’m pretty sore, and could use a rest day.
Wishing everyone the best! 
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Check in Day 5. Hit a meeting after work today to get the week started on the right path. Thankful for everyone sharing, I am soaking it in. (Never learned anything while I was talking) Hope this damn insomnia passes soon!
Keep up the good work 
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1508
My mini vacation is over alas. Three early shifts await to get back in to the swing of things. I did have a good time and do some good things. Yesterday I took Luna to the vet which went OK. She lost some weight. But she’s 18+ with kidney failure and a heart condition. Taking that into consideration she’s doing fine.
After that I played the tourist in my own town. Which was nice. If you want to explore my city, do it early in the day. Otherwise it gets too crowded. Have as good a day as you all can friends. Sober and clean. Love from Amsterdam.
Pic shows Zeedijk, which was a no go area in the 80’s. Dealers and junkies ruled the street. I didn’t dare to go there in my teens. One of the reasons I never became a heroin addict. Lucky me for being chicken. Love fom Amsterdam.
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Hi all, checking in on day 1 no alcohol and day 1 no marijuana… Attending zoom meetings as I can’t access in person meetings for 7 days…
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Checking yo keep myself honest. I’m not drinking but I’m finding myself shopping online non stop. I have replaced one addiction with another. I will not beat myself up but I will overcome this as well.
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Day 288
Another day down. I made an appointment to see a therapist. Something I would have never done while I was using. One more step in the right direction.
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Happy Tuesday everyone! I’ve got back to reading a big way lately and just finished the book “A Prayer Before Dawn” (it was made into a movie if your not a big reader, well worth a watch). There’s a great quote in there, I think it may be used in AA but it helped the author and for anyone struggling maybe it will resonate with you too now you are on this forum:
This guy’s walking down a street when he falls in a hole. The walls are so steep, he can’t get out.
A doctor passes by, and the guy shouts up, “Hey you, can you help me out?” The doctor writes a prescription, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
Then a priest comes along, and the guy shouts up “Father, I’m down in this hole, can you help me out?” The priest writes out a prayer, throws it down in the hole and moves on.
Then a friend walks by. “Hey Joe, it’s me, can you help me out?” And the friend jumps in the hole.
Our guy says, “Are you stupid? Now we’re both down here.” The friend says, “Yeah, but I’ve been down here before, and I know the way out.”
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As long as your not getting yourself into debt, you should always treat yourself Dana! My replacement is walking and trying to get my resting heart rate lower and lower as I get fitter, it’s a fixation now 
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Day 4 checking in 
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Day 106 checking in sober
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14.39 days sober
6.55 days without the cigs/vape
Craving both quite a bit. Weed a vape. Just tired this morning after working 4 days pluse today so 5 days straight. I can deal with not smoking weed but this vape thing is tough to quit. I’m just too tired but I won’t give in. I work today then have 2 days off. Just 8 more hours. No1 else came in during the morning shift so I’ve been by myself there which is ok I guess but difficult at the same time. Let’s just get through the day
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