I think something I could have done better was stay active. That’s what I do to counter slumps now, maybe you could give that a try. And also just read a lot on here
Ya if i lose all this drive and energy i have i dunno what im gonna do with myself… guess thats probably where this solid daily routine ive established is supposed to help
High Doug,
The pink cloud refers to the renewed energy and enthusiasm from being newly clean. It is possible to fall off it after, say, 6 months when we need to find motivation within ourselves. That is not to say we won’t continue to feel good from being clean, but motivation is less automatic.
The best thing is to ride the cloud and use the time to plan how you are going to keep up the momentum in the longer term eg gratitude lists, reasons for quitting, and how you are going to deal with ups and downs (there will be both ahead).
yeah, routine is a real game changer. I’m trying to get a routine going myself now. And honestly, don’t worry too much about the end of the pink cloud. Today is the only day that matters. It could very well be that you don’t get a slump. Our addictions may have pink clouds in common, but the strength of the pink clouds may vary, which wouldn’t surprise me
Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah i sometimes forget one day at a time. Its hard for me not to look at and try to plan the future, the thought of not having control of the future kinda turns my stomache
You can plan your future, just maybe not in the way you’re used to do it. Like @Piglet is saying. Plan on good activities. Plan on how to improve your physical health, your mental health, your financial wealth, your spiritual health. Not in the sense of deadlines or thinking I need to be there within a x number of days. But do think about the future in how you want to live your life now you’re sober and clean and start making plans accordingly. Chop it up in chunks you can manage. One day at a time. . It’s called recovery. It’s something we have to work the rest of our lives on. And it’s so worth it. It’s a work of love. Love for ourselves first and foremost. i’m very glad to see you’re doing so good Doug. That’s a fantastic start to the rest of your life friend. Just keep going.
Thanks yeah nothing i guess i shouldnt worry too much about now since things are still really good. Im just so scared of a relapse, partly because the stuff here has gotten so strong and if i end up falling off i know imma die if i do even a tiny bit with 0 tolerance. But im gonna take your guys advice so im prepared incase i do hit that wall.
use that fear as a motivation. Use it positively. If you do, you can counter cravings and feel a lot of motivation.
Well you’re right Doug. There very probably will be moments when you’ll crave. Setbacks, mishaps and misfortunes in your life will come and probably addiction will see its change to try and lure you back in. Prepare and plan for that too. Cravings will come, but it’s still you at the wheel. How will you react when it happens? What tools will you have in your sober and clean toolbox? Time to start filling that box now, now you’re going so well.
Yeah for sure, not to sound sappy but ive really noticed how beautiful and valuable life really is since when i was using i really didnt care if i od’d and died, i used to think “well at least imma go out the way i want”. Its crazy to look back at my warped thinking
Hi Doug, you’re not sounding sappy but like you’ve got a healthy appreciation of life and the fact that you still have your life. Could have ended differently. So could it have for me! I’m 1.5yrs sober in a few days and my pink cloud lasted for pretty much six months exactly. My energy and productivity did not cease but build up even more since then, my appreciation for life didn’t slump and I didn’t fall back into the depression I was accustomed to and that had kept me drinking. But what did happen was that problems, critical issues, negative feelings showed up more in my life again. My depression returned, my fears and my bad memories returned. This gave me a chance to really partake in my own life, the fullness of it, not just a happy, mostly grateful to be alive version I got to live for six months. The pink cloud will end but that’s not a bad thing. you’ll get to intensify your grip on your life and live it on its terms as they say. You’ll be fine. Lay the foundations now and just continue on your path Doug.