Checking in daily to maintain focus #65

[Lighter]

Thanks Joe! Someone else here mentioned Insight Timer. Yeah, I am going to give it a try. Do you think it will help if I get a meditation robe?

[Lighter]

Thank you TragicF!

[tifflynn07]

Checking in day 121…

[Jasty2]

@Lighter

if I get a meditation robe?

I guess it can’t hurt

[Twizzlers]

Day 42

Well… Today was a close one.
Had planned to drink. I then had to take it each hour at a time.
I went to the shops to get some bits to go with dinner, I was planning to buy it then.
I told myself just wait you can come back to the shop later if this is what you really want.

I looked up meetings as I told myself : before you pick up you must go to a meeting. I had missed the few closest to me at the times they were finished. There are some tonight.

I just got my tool bag and the wood and just went out and made another piece for the catio. I feel so much better and so glad I’m sober too. It was too close for my liking I need to really get hold of this and get to meetings.
I feel it’s just a matter of time if I keep on like this and right now I have a chance to help myself I can’t let it slip away.

Today is a good day. Today I will not drink.

[JazzyS]

@abbynormal Nicely done with 5 days friend! Tattoo therapy sounds perfect. Share your tats with us if you like on the tattoo thread
@acromouse this made me laugh. Wish I could say “you should look at the other guy” but alas the other guy doesn’t exist. I am sorry you are still feeling depressed – do hope you are able to talk this out or sort it out – here for you friend. Keep stacking up the days – your timers are gaining momentum
@2jtravnz always good to see you posting – glad you are recovering from the flu. Way to go with your Nic free days – keep that going strong
@mischa i really need to work on my hearing cause many times I can’t hear nothing. 10 months and kicking ass my friend – keep stacking up the days sending you strength and energy to deal with the time off with the kids
@moosetracks Way to go with your 600+ days of sobriety. Love seeing you check in. Glad you are starting to feel better all around. Enjoy your upcoming holiday – smart to have your support systems in place.
@lighter WOOT WOOT 2 months is amazing Marie. Glad to hear that you got some sleep. OMG birthday tomorrow too… I absolutely love it. Hope you treat yourself my friend. You have been doing so well. Be patient love – it took time for me to find a balance and routine that worked.
@selflove_42 double digits! Great work friend
@twizzlers Great work Twizzler – you were able to step back from the temptation and practice utilizing your supports. The urge does fade and you didn’t cave! BADASS! 42 days and going strong
@Butterflymoonwoman Morning Dana - hope you are well and are able to have an enjoyable day today. Hopefully get some rest my friend

Checking in on Tuesday morning – coffee is made and i’m going to head over to mom’s. eye is still a pain but oh well - i’m sure it’ll heal in its due time. have a lot of phone call catch up type work (which i hate)… hope it goes smoothly.
it is a beautiful sunny day but already very humid so not sure if an outdoor walk is possible. we will play it by ear.
Wishing everyone a wonderful addiction free day - sending you all so much love

[Steve14]

Congratulations on 60 days!!! Also glad to read you got some much needed Have a great day Marie.

[Laner]

Day 26 it was another good day spent celebrating with my friends. I had a bit of anxiety which usually comes alongside group events/social gatherings in larger groups but it wasn’t too bad and didn’t ruin my good mood. Man it was a good party! Now I’m tired and needing some antisocial time. I again had a brief thought about celebrating on my own with a drink when I came home. Made me realize I have come to associate alcohol with rewarding myself over something as well as something I go to when too stressed out.

[Chevy55]

@Twizzlers

Had planned to drink

Wait! You planned to drink??

I’m happy to hear that you refrained and was able to implement your techniques to avoid. Just struggling to understand the “planning” part.
I always thought (perhaps wrongly) if drinking or partaking in any stimulation like that it would be more spontaneous.

Welcome back from the edge

[Twizzlers]

Yep I woke up and planned it.
Yh that’s pretty shocking when I read it back!

I definitely feel like it’s only a matter of time if I keep just doing the same thing and not adding more to my tool box.I do have the resources to help myself I’m realising I need to be doing more though.

[Dazercat]

Congratulations on your 60 days Marie.

That’s amazing!!

[Pattycake]

Checking in on day 293. I’m just a little under a week behind ya, @Mischa84 ! Congrats!
Congrats to @Lighter , on your 60 days! Keep doing the amazing work!
@SelfLove_42 , congrats on reaching double digits!
Have a good one, all​:peace_symbol:

[Just_Laura]

First post I read this morning! Thanks for making me laugh I did sleep pretty good but woke up with some bad allergy symptoms Give and take Hope you have a good day

[Dazercat]

@Lighter

Are there ADD meditations? Or maybe I’ll start with a minute at a time.

Hey Marie.
The Insight Timer app has been a valuable tool for me. Lots of us here use it.
There’s a search engine for almost anything.
I try plugging in ADD but I think it was using the word “add,” but when I plugged in ADHD I got this.
There’s tons of great beginner stuff on there too. I use to beat myself up because I thought I was doing it wrong. Or I couldn’t do it. My mind kept wandering and I couldn’t turn my mind off. I’ve since learned, I been doing it awhile. It’s ok. And I just keep doing it. It’s almost impossible for my to not think about things while I’m meditating. I’ve learned, with lots of practice. Let it happen and remember to go back to my breathing. Like sobriety it takes work. Like practicing free throws.

We got a thread for that too if you’re interested. Meditation for Serenity 2021-2024! (tips, tricks & discussion/ 3 years running woot!) - #1518 by Dazercat

If you’re strong enough to get 60 days sobriety you are strong enough to learn how to meditate.

Sorry to go on so long. But it’s a HUGE tool in my tool box. And I finally don’t care if I’m doing it right or not. I just do it now because it works. Hell most times I fall asleep. Must of needed it.

Oh and 1 or 2 minutes at a time is also a great way to start. See what happens.

[Laner]

This is really cute. Got me laughing

[Steve14]

Those sound like pretty great mornings The shit we put ourselves through!!! Glad you’re not there anymore Joe! About this jogging to work though let’s just calm the fk down

[acromouse]

@Dazercat

My mind kept wandering and I couldn’t turn my mind off.

Just to be clear: You can’t turn your mind off. Never. It’s never off. Not as long as you are alive. It’s like your heart. When it stops beating you know you are in trouble
Same with your mind. You might not be conscious of your thoughts - like when you are asleep. But your mind is always thinking. Meditation is being actually conscious of your thoughts. As long as you try that, your meditation in on

[acromouse]

I see. I need to tune my magical jinx powers a bit, but we are heading the right direction

[Steve14]

Mid morning Tuesday check in. All is good over here! Hoping you all have the day you deserve

[Dazercat]

And that was my stumbling block. And it kept frustrating me. And also learning there’s no wrong or right way to do it helped too.