Hey your story is really inspiring and i’m so glad it is on here. You started choosing fulfilling, worthwhile endeavors over short term pleasure that doesn’t bring true satisfaction. You chose self development over time wasting. Respect.
In my life I had two massive issues:
#1 I couldn’t stop drinking for 20 years. I was a hardcore drinker.
#2 I was chronically depressed, suicidal and anxiety ridden.
In my case nothing worked except giving it to Jesus and asking for help. He first removed all urge to drink. Then I asked him to remove any unclean spirits of depression, any unclean spirits of heaviness etc from me and my home in Jesus’s name. He did this. I actually experience happiness today (I rarely / never did before).
I was analyzing your story and your success and crossing elements of it against mine. I just wanted to warn you I noticed the people around me were a major factor. My father was evil, did stuff with kids… many stories etc. He was the biggest encourager of my drinking even when I started to have health problems and it was obvious it was going to kill me. I read a lot of your posts but not every single one of them. I have two thoughts.
#1 I’m wondering if some people left your life either by chance, divine intervention or you kicking them out etc that were a negative influence.
#2 I just want to warn you… I had friends that would say in 100s of different ways “you can drink theres nothing wrong with drinking”, “it’s all about self control” all the way to bringing alcohol to me. Be very careful of people talking like this. Today I understand these are word curses and good people don’t try to feed your addiction / issue when you have told them you need help and are struggling.
Anyway I’m happy for you and as someone who recently got back into the gym life and being outside more I understand how beneficial they can be.