Today I’m reminded of early recovery. Walking into my first meeting before it started. Feeling like crap, lost and confused. People were standing around talking about their everyday lives smiling before the meeting. Wtf?
Of course the meeting started and things got real. I heard what these people went through and couldn’t help but relate. I was left mystified these were all the same people laughing and carrying on half an hour ago. How’d they do it?
Eventually I’d realize I just wanted what they had: Maelstrom lives become simple and peaceful. The most interesting thing about their day now was what they had for lunch.
Today recovery is still the most important thing I take care of every day. But it takes less focus than it did starting out. They taught me recovery is the bedrock but not the reason for recovery. It’s ever the beginning, not the end. I’m done living for The End.
We don’t get sober just to escape misery. The point of recovery is to enjoy life to its fullest.
Yep. Yesterday a friend was visiting from out of town. We tried a Peruvian restaurant which was amazing, then did a really stupid scavenger hunt exploring around the town, because why not?
Great weather, too. It was a nice day full of new memories.
I’ve been learning and appreciating many of these small things… things as silly as driving sober again! Fantastic! Not being knocked out every night or waking up without a hangover… life makes much more sense sober! A new normal! And feel happy about it!
Omg, this one! I didn’t appreciate how much of my day I used to walk around half a zombie. Get up late trying to sleep one off, then not really be all there until late afternoon.
It’s like there’s twice as many hours in a day now!
Never had a hangover in my years of daily drinking. “Woke up” still drunk from the night before and immediately had a beer or two to get going for the day. Wouldn’t allow myself any non drinking time that could spoil or lower my BAC levels, resulting in a hangover. Just keep on drinking…hair of the dog.
