Checking in especially grateful this morning. Yesterday I reached my two year milestone and it made me remember, how I started this journey.
I was so utmost depressed at that point in my life - everything felt joyless, unbearable and unfair. I was angry at the world and I was frustrated when my surroundings and the people wouldn’t adapt to what I secretly needed and provided what I whished for. I was hurt from a breakup with one of the major loves in my life and angry at him too for acually letting go of me, although we had made that choice together. I was lonely and hurt and caught in a victim role I had started to feel comfortable in. I was complaining about everything, judging everyone because it was so much easier to do than actually working on myself. That was the energy I was running on. And I drank and drank and drank to soften the pain and be able to keep doing it another day.
It was my therapist who thankfully said, she wouldn’t continue seeing me, if I kept drinking. I had drunkenly fallen into train tracks a few nights before and someone I have no memory of brought me home. I remember being super offended when she told me. But something inside knew my life could’t stay like this so I listened and stopped. At that point I still thought I’d “simply” quit drinking and all would be good. Little did I know
And maybe that’s the part I am most grateful for - learning, that addiction is a flaw rooted somewhere else. It’s entirely possible to just not drink but still be an addict. Through all of you, your stories and hopes, some AA sessions and some Recovery Dharma here and there, I’ve learned healthier patterns to deal with my frustrations and take up responsibility for myself. It’s still a huge adventure for me to be discovering myself.
I am grateful I don’t have to change the world around me anymore to be able to feel ok.
I am grateful I chose the people who benefit me and I have found a whole new group of beautiful souls, supporting me and inspiring me.
I am grateful for a big part of serenity in my life and an occasional blast of happiness and joy here and there. That’s more than enough.
I am grateful I am starting to love myself.
I am grateful you are all there with me on this exciting path.
Thank you
Good morning sober peeps!
It’s very early on Saturday morning here in southern Wisconsin. I’m up early (4:30 am) because I had a good week of exercise and sleep and good work and no booze. I go to bed very early now so when my body is rested, I wake up!
I’m so grateful for clear headed early mornings. My coffee is extra special when it is not combatting dehydration and the brain damage of the booze.
I’m grateful to have had a good week at work and to have overcome some hurdles on the progress of a project I’m involved in. Yay! We are going forward with what I wanted to do!
I’m grateful to be healthy and able to swim almost 3 miles this week in the pool before heading off to very busy days in classrooms.
I’m grateful to have completed most of my Xmas shopping online last weekend. I’m grateful Christmas is getting easier for me each year as I work on clearer and clearer boundaries for myself. I almost don’t hate it anymore!
I’m grateful for my cozy and safe and loving home.
I’m grateful that at our age, my husband and I are both content with our career decisions and are mostly enjoying our jobs. We have intentionally stepped out of the rat race and have found work that makes us happy and provides enough for our lives.
I’m grateful we are both sober. It is much simpler to live together and love each other without managing or not managing the impacts of drinking. We were not unhappy together before, but we are happier together now.
I’m grateful for my pets. I’m grateful we will get to go on a vacation with them soon.
I’m grateful for this low key weekend and some time to read and journal and process some work I’m doing in my career.
Congratulations on your 2 year soberversary
Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us. Grateful for your therapist and whoever/ whatever got you in this path.
I love this!
Many more milestones ahead… looking forward to celebrating them with you
I am continuously grateful for a full night’s sleep. I think sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Full stop. I don’t think anyone could convince me other wise. Not as important as air or water, but probably on the same level as food.
I’m also grateful my husband got a (professionally done) haircut yesterday. Please understand, I love this man dearly and even after all these years think he is very handsome; but, in general, he will get one haircut a year–that being when I sit him down at the beginning of spring and sheer him like a sheep, and giving him the closest buzz cut possible. He told me he had an important presentation coming up and asked what I thought he should do to look most presentable. My two recommendations were: 1. Get a haircut. 2. Wear a suit jacket. I’m grateful he listened to my suggestions because now I get to enjoy the continued benefits of his hair cut.
@Pandita congratulations on your 2 year milestone!
@JazzyS I have been getting quite a bit of good sleep the last few weeks, thank you. I still feel like I’m making up for lost sleep even so. In this time I have reduced my caffeine consumption from ~800mg to ~200. This has massive positive benefits for me, so I am eternally grateful for that. Because of my outlook on death, I think maybe I am not as affected (or in the same way) as many people, for which I am (maybe morbidly?) grateful for.
The loss still leaves a hole though, and I let myself fully process my emotions, which can also be draining while it happens. I also don’t feel any discomfort being around people who are dying, which I have found has been the unfortunate case more often than you might think (I also think, in some ways, this is a subconscious protection mechanism to avoid the extra, inevitable, pain) , but I think this means I feel that loss more acutely because that time is no longer filled with the other person I made extra time for. But, despite this, I am grateful for that time for myself, and grateful I could be there for them.
I am so grateful to be alive today. Grateful for a chance of healing. Grateful for the time needed for self reflection and growth.
I am so grateful for safety and security.
I am so grateful for my family members taking such good care of me. Grateful for the delicious meal my brother made for me last night.
I am so grateful for clean air to breathe… grateful that my lungs are open and I didn’t cause my major damage from decades of smoking. Grateful that I made 25 months clean of cigarettes yesterday. I honestly didn’t think I would make it past a few hours.
I am so grateful that I am able to allow myself time to sleep. I have been dealing with chronic fatigue for years but this level is intense. I have been sleeping so much in past few days and still feel exhausted. Grateful that this will not last. Grateful that at least my body is resting.
I am so grateful my HP. Grateful for my connection to Him. Grateful that I feel positive and hopeful when I work on my connection to Him.
I am so grateful for my manicure set my dad bought for me. So many tools (some I’ve never seen). Grateful for their sharp cuts.
I am so grateful for lotions, baths, massages, foot soaks, essential oils, warm compresses …SELF care
I am so grateful that I’m 11+ months sober. It feels surreal. How did I manage so many days? Taking it ODAAT, my family’s support and being here around so many fellow addicts ( not feeling alone in this journey) has gotten me to this point.
I am grateful for this community. Grateful for lifelong connections made here. Grateful for our journey
Wishing everyone a fantastic addition free day / evening! Sending you all so much love
Huge congrats to @Pandita and @JazzyS ! I’m grateful for the inspiration and insight you provide.
Today I’m grateful for:
TS
A particular friend of mine who I’ve studied Buddhism with for a long time now. We live in rural area where there aren’t any groups to join, so we are a “sangha” of two. She lives in a local village, I live further out in the countryside. She has also helped me with Al anon. Again, no local groups, so she has become my sponsor. I’m so grateful for her support!
I’m grateful I got out of the house yesterday evening and went with her to the local village art crawl. Visited studios and had treats, it was fun.
I’m grateful that before the event, I had an Al anon type visit with said friend and her husband who is an alcoholic in recovery as well. I am so grateful they understand what I’m going through with my husband’s addictions and are there for support when I need it.
I’m grateful for my 3 Y 11 M AFAF Sober and Clean! Fucking A!!
I’m grateful for my family. My pets. My wife. Not necessarily in that order My coffee.
I’m grateful we got wifey’s car back yesterday. Looks good. Maybe she’ll start driving it again.
I’m grateful for a good nights sleep.
I’m grateful for warm hoodies. And my yellow beanies.
I’m grateful for my chiropractor.
I’m grateful we got the cookies dropped off at the vet. I’m grateful we got our shit ton of errands done yesterday.
I’m grateful maybe it will be a clean up around here day.
I’m grateful for my health.
I’m grateful I get to exercise.
I’m grateful I don’t get to do laundry.
I’m grateful I have cooking skills and I get to cook for us. I’m grateful I don’t get to clean cat littler.
I’m grateful I get to wake up early with all my furry pals and I get to take care of them, even before coffee. I’m grateful they are worth it. I’m grateful the joy all my pets and even other people’s pets or even pictures of pets and animals give me. I’m grateful for pet and animal videos on Twitter.
I’m grateful for my view.
I’m grateful I haven’t found a house in Cali yet. I’m grateful there’s no rush. I’m grateful to have patience with this as I like where I am right now.
I’m grateful for all the gratitude shared here by all of you.
“Reflect upon your present blessings—of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.”
Charles Dickens
My sobriety
Hubbys sobriety
People with longterm sobriety, gives me hope
Celebrating every day we have sober
This place
Got my ass to the gym and kicked ass for 90min
Im greatful @JazzyS is leading the way and showing me its possible to live without nicotine
Treating myself to pumpkin spice overnight oats…mmmmmm
Boscoe, poor guy might be getting sick bc hes not acting like himself
My folks…love em dearly
My brother in law is planning a surprise 40th for my sister
My brother in laws sobriety
My family
Everyones safety
Opportunities afforded us
Freedoms
Hope
Love
Growth
Self reflection
Saturdays
This awesome community and all ya gratitudes!
Good morning my friends! I’m grateful for extra Saturday morning snoozes and snuggles. I’m grateful for lazy days and date plans. I’m grateful for these silly beasts and how much joy and love they bring me. Buster is so funny, like he still hasn’t figured out his caboose is connected to the engine. He’s like two people in a horse costume, with one in the back and one in the front I’m grateful he’ll probably figure it out someday and I’m also grateful it’s not today.
Today I’m grateful I woke up well rested. I don’t know where the day disappeared but now it’s bedtime I really don’t know what happened. I’m grateful I heated the furnace and the kitchen stove, the cats were so funny today, I proceeded with tidying up and I’m grateful and proud the kitchen is cleaned and cleared, it can stay like this as I’m leaving mid next week to bring the cats to my cityhome and catsitter. The logistics for organizing everything living at the countryside are challenging.
I’m grateful I aired the house twice today. I’m grateful the snowfall was sooooo beautiful. I’m grateful I didn’t give a fuck about things I have to do downtown and stayed home. I’m grateful my late mum’s house runs on automatic heating for 1,5 hours / day and I really do hope it is enough to keep the water pipes from freezing. forecast tomorrow is -14 degrees celsius. so I have to drive over and check the heating and temperature in the morning. iiieeeks.
I’m grateful I made a beautiful Advent arrangement today. I rarely have an Advent wreath and this year I decided to make a nice arrangement with a beewax candle. Posted it on the holiday decorations thread.
I’m grateful I’m mostly done with laundry. Tomorrow the bathroom rugs are the last machine before christmas. I’m grateful I got ALL the blankets, linen, rugs, pillows and covers washed before christmas🙏 Yes, I give myself a pat on the back.
I’m grateful I did a bit of officework today too. Well, I’m grateful now I see where the day has gone …
Grateful to go to bed sober. ODAAT
I’m grateful to God and I pray for his healing light to help save and guide me to do the right thing, if that is his will, and to keep my darkness at bay.
I’m grateful for music that I dance to, laught at, scream from, cry to, attempt to write, sing along with, meditate too and sometimes turn off.
I’m grateful for recovery meetings, treatment centers, churches, educational facilities, apps like TS all that try to help people.
I’m very grateful to be a part of this gratitude home thread, sometimes post and read a whole lot, sometimes a little. It’s value to me and yours (ya yours) over the past four years is immeasurable.
I’m grateful for my clean safe place and that I get to share it with my kitten Peace now, or maybe he share’s it with me
I’m grateful for acceptance, awareness and accountability.
May our higher powers grant us freedom from addiction, just for today.
Thank you for sharing this and congratulations that is a HUGE milestone!! I also was able to get sober with some firm guidance from a therapist, who basically said that it didn’t matter what else we tried, nothing was working because I was still drinking. So why not try not doing that? And because I trusted her completely I was able to. She probably saved my life and I was able to bring my daily anxiety from a 9 to a 1-2 most days with tools that I still use to this day. I miss her! So my gratitude today is for her
I am grateful that my ex’s disease is turning out to be more manageable for him and proving my worst fears wrong. I am still working on my own anxiety and ableism and trying to overcome my fear of caretaking because everyone needs it eventually, and it’s not a good reason to keep people at arms length.
I am grateful that I have a doctor appointment on Wednesday because my jaw hurts so much and I am maxed out on Tylenol and I can’t keep going much longer like this. I feel like it’s karma for my above issues. I am grateful to be gaining understanding of what a chronic and debilitating consition is like.
I am grateful for my family friend who helped raise me and just passed away. I am grateful that I visited her last year at her new home and that she showed me photos and told me stories all about her family and her life. I am grateful to have been raised by a community of strong, smart women, even if they are a bit much.
I love this!
My coffee.
I’m grateful he’ll probably figure it out someday and I’m also grateful it’s not today. 
I really don’t know what happened. I’m grateful I heated the furnace and the kitchen stove, the cats were so funny today, I proceeded with tidying up and I’m grateful and proud the kitchen is cleaned and cleared, it can stay like this as I’m leaving mid next week to bring the cats to my cityhome and catsitter. The logistics for organizing everything living at the countryside are challenging.
