Feels very much like each day is broken into seconds, minutes, hours of pushing through. Can see positive changes and weight loss already but hiding at home away from friends / social stuff. Entertaining on Fri for neighbours and wondering how to navigate that one, I am always the drunkest, loudest, probably most obnoxious person around the table. Now feeling very quiet, reflective and properly awake for the first time in + + years. No shouting from the rooftops for me, feels like a very quiet time, healing time:
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Maybe you could say you aren’t feeling super great, ir that you have stuff to do tomorrow/later so you dont wanna deal witha hangover? Im still working on reaching day 2 so not sure that its good advice but maybe it can help you think of ways to navigate.
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It will come in time, I journal daily as it helps and definitely occupies some of your time. I’ve had several instances when I was only going to write a little bit and ended up writing a few pages. Maybe try to think back and remember some of your hobbies or try new random things. I go to car shows craft shows antique places things of that nature but for each individual it’s different. I also volunteer at a local food pantry. I learned that I had to drop people places and things and that when it comes to friends it’s quality of quantity. Keep your head up you got this.
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Welcome, Mel. This is a great place to be. Lots of support , so read around and see what helps you. I can see why you might be a bit concerned about entertaining Friday, especially if you’re not drinking anymore, but everybody else is. Might not be something you want to do even. If you do want to host, it would help to have a plan. Ie, what NA beverages will you have? Is there a partner who can take over if you need to escape? Things like that. I’m wishing you well!
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Welcome! As others mentioned, it is early days still and hiding away will serve you well the longer you can do it. Like everything in my experience, we don’t become a master at sobriety right off, we learn and grow and gain strength the longer we remain alcohol free. Yes, we don’t take the drink, but in early days I found that babying and nurturing my sobriety was essential to making me feel stronger in social situations. You don’t need to hide away forever, but it took a long time to get to where we are now drinking, it will take some time to heal and grow and incorporate true change in our lives. And that is okay.
Idk if you can cancel your Friday get together, but if at all possible, I would. Choose YOU and your sobriety first. You can reschedule for a month from now when you feel and are more solid. If you feel like you cannot, then have some Ginger Beer (not a real beer) or sparkling water in your hand always and the second you start thinking of a drink, take your phone to the bathroom and come on here and read and get some help. The light is always on. Or take a quick walk.
It gets a lot easier, truly it does, but that takes time to get there. I had to remember to CHOOSE ME over and over. It helped me to remember the me I longed to be, not the drunken fool who I was. 
Keep us posted!
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Thank you, that meant the world to me feeling supported here and receiving your messages. It has been such a boost, one I needed as it is getting harder, although my mindset is still really strong. I am finding my head racing a bit and I’m dealing with that by making some art and taking my daughter out to see an exhibition and I have another planned for tomorrow. If feels like I have to fill every moment to distract a busy head. I’m hoping this calms down after a while and more peace creeps in. To feel relaxed and happy in my own skin would be really good, not quite there yet.
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It will calm down and you will get stronger. It does take time tho. You are doing great. 