Hello! Checking in , still sober thank God!! 147 days , making my way to 5 months the longest streak I’ve had since starting to drink at 15. 10 years ago , crazy!
Was just watching videos (somewhat of vlogs) I made of myself when I was hungover and miserable. Every year for the past 3 years I’ve tried to take a video every day to track my progress over a year. I always fall off (caused by drinking and no progress lol) but I have good videos to look back on to see how down bad I was. It gave me almost ptsd of feeling that shitty.
My bloat and digestive issues have been slowly healing , not perfect or fully back to normal but I am happy to feel and see improvements.
I sleep better, my rosacea has improved, I’m more patient, I haven’t missed a single day of work since the day I got sober dec 3rd 2025.
It’s been a lot of work but I was so ready. I had wanted sobriety for years before I was ready before I desperately NEEDED it. I am sad to have let it get so bad but am happy I am here now and working towards the life I want (which I still don’t quite know what that is). Figuring out who I am , one day at a time.
Congrats on your 147 days sober @bettertimesahead !!! That’s amazing!! So happy for you and all the positives that are coming your way I love to read your updates. I know what you mean about wanting it vs realising how much you desperately needed it! I was there, too. I felt absolutely broken and in so much pain and I needed it to stop. I’m so glad to have unburdened myself from that suffering that drinking alcohol was exacerbating what a relief it is to be sober; I’m truly thankful for the hard work I put in to recover
Well said !! Thank you for your words , so happy to be sober and fighting for the life I deserve with every one of you! No matter the place we are on our journey we are all in the same boat and have the same need for a sober life. Unburdened and relief are definitely huge feelings that I didn’t realize would happen, I was in my own personal hell at the end of my drinking and life now seems so light and peaceful. To let go and to surrender was and is actively the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.
So happy you are feeling good and reaping the benefits of sobriety. Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
I have been thinking about today - making it to 5 months sober for a couple weeks now. I had a busy day and was just sitting down to journal and then realized today was the day!
I really am starting to like and respect who I am. My core roots and values that I once was fond of are slowly defrosting after years of drowning them away. I still have lots of work to do - healing, reflecting , & forgiving. Those things that lead me to self medicate and become reliant on the distraction of alcohol are all defrosting too. Taking things slowly and one day at a time, not to get overwhelmed. It can be scary when thoughts and memories or even realities that make me anxious or sad come to light.
I have had thoughts of envy for those able to drink or even fear of missing out feelings but they have passed and I have been able to beat them and stay in control. Those thoughts keep me on guard and make me fully aware that I’m not out of the woods yet and that’s okay with me. Where I am now is astronomically better than any life I thought I had with alcohol. I’ll sit in the woods and ponder as long as I need to, to keep me aware of the beast that is always going to be there. For five months I have beat the beast and I hope to continue on this journey to where the beast is not quite as loud or scary.
It been a good weekend. Been getting lots done in my garden and enjoying the outdoors. Something really did have time when I was drinking lol the time. It feels good to be active and doing things. Besides nursing hangovers and drinking.
How are you @bettertimesahead ? I hope you have a good weekend. I sure have been enjoying these spring days. Got my back patio all done. It will be so nice to sit enjoying the evening on, in the summer. It is nice now but a little chilly. I’m heading to the beach this weekend. Looking forward to some beach walks and the hot tub. Keeping life simple one day at a time!
Beach and hot tub sound like a great time ! How was it ??? And nice on the patio being finished!! I know how good it feels. Still have a few things left to do on mine, but find the weekend projects fun and fulfilling.
Being doing good, been dealing with some thoughts of alcohol being glamorized in my head lately and I’m really working through them with the tools I’ve picked up so far. I have been telling myself that if I am glamorizing or wanting something that I truly don’t need it is the addiction talking. There’s nothing good that comes from alcohol and I would be devastated to lose the progress I’ve made.
Heading into another weekend! Going to spend time with my nephews and clean up my outdoor space and clean in preparation for my boyfriend’s family coming to visit. Do you have any plans ?
Likewise. As a woman I have beat myself up all my life for my size or looks just all of it. That bad habit started long before alcohol. Been working through it and the need to be skinny or beautiful. I just simply want to be healthy now. The glow of sobriety ( and my organs finally having a chance to heal) has definitely helped.
Thank you for your words! I want to say I’ve appreciated your presence on this platform since I’ve joined. The Doberman pic also always has intrigued me. Do you have Dobermans ?
@bettertimesahead The beach was nice, thank you for asking. It been a little stressful here in my world. Hubby lost eye sight in one of his eyes and has been in the hospital for a few days getting treatment. Good news they expect him to gain full sight back in a few months.
Sorry to hear you been struggling a little more with that demon lately. Don’t let it win, my friend. You have come so far and life is better without it. It would be just one or one day. Trust me on that I did let the demon win awhile back after stacking over sixty days and very hard to put it back in the box. But eventually did in fact today is 80 days.
It is good that you recognize that no good can come from having a drink.
Keep using your tools! You, have come so far from when we first started talking. You should be very proud of yourself. You are feeling much better. Keep going my friend you got this one day at a time. Doing whatever it takes to get that head to the pillow sober!! We can day one!
Hey Von…. 80 days is amazing. !!! I was reading back thru this thread and you have been such great support. You deserve your 80 days and a lifetime more Keep it up.
Thank you! Looking forward to many more sober days! Some moments are harder than others. But I know that I can get through those moments. And one of the biggest motivators is know how hard it is so hard to start from beginning, again. Getting those first, ten days back was definitely hard. The demon leads you to the not good times. And I know I was getting dangerously close to it. One day at time!
I agree …. I certainly needed the detox kickstart. Even that was hell… but a lot more manageable than trying self-will. Not to mention much safer. I spent 15 days in the ICU after multiple seizures when I tried cold turkey the first time. NEVER AGAIN God Willing
Very good! Currently having a coffee in my little garden watching the birds! True peace, no hangover.
Sorry to hear about your husband , that is stressful but glad to hear he should regain back the eyesight in his eye! Thoughts and prayers to him and your family !
I appreciate your words always friend!! You have been a shoulder to lean on from the start of my journey to sobriety! I’m happy we are in this together !
CONGRATS on 80 days !! it’s tough work to go against that demon in our heads and you deserve a huge pat on the back for being so strong ! It’s a fight worth fighting.
Thanks. Glad to hear you are enjoying life AF. Yes, is a little stress about hubby hoping for the best. Sounds like it will take sometime.listening to the rain and telling myself I need to get up and go to work. But I’m joying lying here listening to the rain.
!
the longest streak I’ve had since starting to drink at 15. 10 years ago , crazy!
I love to read your updates. I know what you mean about wanting it vs realising how much you desperately needed it! I was there, too. I felt absolutely broken and in so much pain and I needed it to stop. I’m so glad to have unburdened myself from that suffering that drinking alcohol was exacerbating 
what a relief it is to be sober; I’m truly thankful for the hard work I put in to recover 
! My friend, you have come along ways on your journey. And Your words are so beautifully true! I’m so happy for you!
not good times. And I know I was getting dangerously close to it. One day at time!