Everything is triggering me

I’ve been sober for 160 days and nowadays it seems like everything is triggering my anxiety. I’m seeing the way people treat me and the way my life is at face value and a lot of things are bothering me. I’ve been snapping at people and not feeling bad about it because I don’t feel that they are remorseful for how they treat me. Where I would go chill out and have a drink and push my feelings to the back burner, nowadays I sit in my feelings and get vocal about what is bothering me. It is starting to get more constant now as I have spoken up at work and now I have to be around the people that I have “gotten vocal” with. I’m fine with speaking my mind and hoping for results, but a lot of people can’t respect that and like to keep drama going. So that is where my life is right now. Ugh :persevere: but at least I’ve remained sober.

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Nice job on 160 days!

I hear you, without alcohol or drugs to add a filter to life, things come at you at full force and we’re left to just deal with it, it’s uncomfortable and it sucks sometimes, and its ok to feel angry, frustrated and pissed off, it’s normal. Dealing with these emotions in a healthy way is important too.

I constantly have to remind myself that I have no control over others. I actually have little control over my life and what happens to me. In fact, the only thing I can control is how I react.

I also remind myself that the person responsible for all of my problems is myself. Whatever situation I find myself in, I did it to myself. Also, the person who is responsible for getting me out of it, is also me. No one owes me anything.

These reminders help me keep things in perspective.

And of course, when all else fails and I have that pent up angst, I have a chat with a friend who will just listen to my gripes, then all is right in the world!

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It can be difficult.but like resentment and guilt you can turn it over to your higher power.your sobriety is most important.none of us are perfect all the time. Good luck to you ,we can do what I could not.

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Suggest you take an honest look at these interactions with people, and assess how much your words, actions, demeanor contribute to these situations.

Understand that while someone else might be having a bad day, if it seems like everyone around you has become disagreeable, make sure it’s not a reflection of how you treat them.

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You sounded just like my first sponsor. She didn’t pull punches on me and always when I needed it. It always had me sitting down and reflecting honestly about situations. I wasn’t always aware the way I handled things spoke more about my frustration than it did me trying to set boundaries in a healthy way.

I’m not saying that is what is going on with the OP but it is something to be thought on.

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Lol, sorry but this sounds like “tit for tat”. Doing to others as they do to you keeps the cycle going and doesn’t improve anything…
I think if there are genuine concerns that you’re addressing and getting ‘vocal’ about at work, the way they are addressed goes a long way… in particular, ‘diplomacy’ and ‘assertive communication’ comes to mind… I recently did a course on assertive communication and it was super interesting to learn about the different and most effective ways of communicating. I’ve attached a link if you’re interested in finding out more about it - it might help the situation you have going on at your work :slight_smile:

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The article was really good, thank you!

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No problem :slight_smile: Learning about assertive communication has even helped me on the home front with how my children and I speak to eachother, it really can make a huge difference. Pretty interesting stuff.

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Honestly I’m burnt out on counseling. It helps a lot but I’m who I am so I always revert back to old feelings when I go through situations. I realize that counselor’s can’t stay with me forever, I’m supposed to grow. But I feel like I’m in a constant emotional rut.

I still have anxiety after seven years sober but I don’t have to drink over it.