A big huge congratulations for 1 year sober!
1 Like
That is so awesome, Beachy! Congrats to you on a full year experiencing it sober!
1 Like
Great job! 365 days! 
1 Like
Congrats on 1 year!! That is amazing and I hope you’re proud of yourself 
1 Like
413… holidays were, we’ll holidays. I think it’s B.S. how much stress the holidays are. Who do you get what? What do you cook? What do you wear? What do you decorate? Etc etc. It’s dumb. Maybe I’m jaded because the holidays have always been depressing for me so I try to overcompensate.
Guess I haven’t been in “here” much. Been busy applying to new jobs (the blackhole of hope) to try and get off night shift. It’s really messing with me.
I’ve been branching out into other drinks that taste yummy. I never used to waste money on anything without some ABV, (you know it was a waste if it doesn’t give you a buzz)… but I really like my soda stream- got the kombucha concenrate- that’s way cheaper then real kombucha and NO ABV! Also got a coffee bean grinder for xmas-- so trying out new flavors of beans. And wow they taste so good fresh! And got some vahdam loose leaf tea on clearance - I didn’t realize how many cool flavors there are!
So long story short. I’ve lost about 15 pounds and kept it off with some lifestyle changes. You now actually going outside and doing my working out routine rather regular … and watching what I’ve been eating finally.
When I first quit booze I took all constraints off food- and blew up in size. But I have that back under control now.
So I’m digging my “new” life. It’s not perfect, but everything seems way more manageable and less volatile then when I first started with my “trying to make it through a week without drinking” days.
5 Likes
- I listened to the recovery elevator podcast this morning and they had an interesting topic about your nervous system that really made sense. Essentially we’ve all been trying to fill our nervous systems since they are in hyper mode from all the stimulating in the modern age.
There were other things in there I don’t remember right now, but glad I turned it on this morning.
Hadn’t listened to them in awhile and they are one of my favorite podcasts.
I listened religiously every morning on way to work for months trying to get (and stay) sober
4 Likes
That’s it really! The reason we can’t come at being sober forever-is we desperately want to be NORMAL and LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!
The thing is, the way most alcoholics/‘problematic drinkers’ drink is FAR from normal anyway! It’s the addiction speaking; lt’s a lie!
1 Like
Yes indeed! Our normal is not normal… and their normal isn’t either. It’s an addictive substance that tries to dull you for your true self
2 Likes
Hi Beachy! I just skimmed through your posts. You are such an inspiration. Thank you for sharing.
I also live in Texas and I love recovery elevator.
I am currently on day 24. Longest I have gone in 3 years.
5 Likes
Thank you for the feedback! I do not feel like an inspiration though, Just going one moment at a time!
- Guess I was tired. I overslept my midnight alarm clock by 4 hrs. Yikes!
But at least i might not need a nap to try and hangout like a normal person later this Saturday. I try to work then nap to hangout with my family/friends. It’s hard.
I’m thinking of trying a staffing agency or a resume writer service. Not having much success on my own finding a day job in my desired field.
This midnight work is really messing with me. They delayed the growth in our area also- so that rapid promo to day shift is delayed awhile which really is a killer. I was fine doing this a few months- but now no end in sight.
Although I know this would be way more depressing if I was still drinking. So I’m glad I’m emotionally stable enough to handle the issues I’m facing.
As Dory said, “just keep swimming”.
6 Likes
I know you are pretty far past 1 year now but I haven’t been around. Congratulations!
Sorry the job hunt is so difficult, im sure the right job will come along.
1 Like
Thank you!! 
Sometimes, you have to let go of something to make space for something new.
This happened to me yesterday. I finally put in my 2 weeks (really 1 month after I burn PTO & vacation hrs). I finally accepted that I might not be able to find a new job before I quit this one. I’ll never be able to take the time to craft job specific resumes if I’m working all night. I’ll never be able to have a clear head for the few interview offers I get if I’ve been up working all night. So I put in my notice.
Then, in the same afternoon, a recruiter contacted me about a job I put in for back in November, and a person from another company contacted about a resume I submitted to them via a prior co-worker contact on LinkedIn a few weeks ago.
Now, neither of these are struck deals. But, it really solidifies (to me) to have to make space for change to happen.
5 Likes
- Well, I put that 2 week notice in on Monday… I felt good about it then, and I still do but am more nervous. We’ll be fine with bills, but having that cushion is nice.
I’m just going to focus on making good resumes. I’m still waking up at 4am, though. That’s probably going to take a while for my body to come off night owl hours.
6 Likes
Just linked this amazing thread for someone and wanted to check in on you @Beachy. Hope you are doing well!!
No one knows our bodies and minds better than ourselves. But sometimes we need something and/or someone to point out some things that are not quite clear at the moment.
Like when my girlfriend, also a psychologist, told me “How much coffee today, love? 1L??? Don’t you think you’re being an addict again, just replacing the substance” or “I can’t remember the last time I saw you walking without tumbling around” after I fell on the ground and cut my chin, spilling blood everywhere. This was my limit. My edge. My last straw. I went on to full abstinence - “Just a sip” can be quite dangerous.
I would love to be able to drink “socially” again - but I know I can’t, if I want to stay in this world being something. Being someone.
2 Likes
Thankfully, the trend is shifting towards restaurants and eateries to offer up some nice NA options. I haven’t been disappointed when I’ve gone out on a few occasions and they make me something special with seltzer that I really do enjoy. It’s becoming more “normal”, thanks to the younger generations to not drink.
5 Likes
Being binging on this. Best juice ever. And I’d like to binge on food, I’m 6’2’’ and only 150 pounds, but being a diabetic this can be quite dangerous haha
1 Like