Hello,
I live in the city centre and there is lots of revelary and festiveness as it is friday and I feel like I am missing out and feel like drinking. Any suggestions?
Play the tape through all the way to the end. What will drinking lead to? Probably not where you want to be.
These things, festivities and such, will always happen and sobriety means we step away from that lifestyle. It’s not fun, it’s not sexy, it’s not easy… at first, but eventually that FOMO goes away and new healthy things will occupy your mind and time.
Keep posting here tonight and lay your sober head on your pillow tonight.
Don’t.
Put on headphones or earbuds if the “noise” is too distracting. Listen to music, podcasts, watch YouTube.
Go to the gym. You’ll find many likeminded non drinking folks there.
Stay busy or go to sleep. You aren’t missing out on anything except tomorrows disappointment.
You’re not missing out on anything.
It’s a distraction to the reality of the pain.
I agree with Chevy on tomorrow’s disappointment being the only thing that awaits you if you drink.
You’ll be so happy to wake up knowing you didn’t.
You can do this, you owe it to yourself.
Ok. So what is it I am escaping, I think it is FOMO. thanks, talking here feels great!
I think a lot of us drink to escape, for different reasons. For me, it was to shut the external world out. When I drank, I would get lost in my head, it changed my reality.
Eventually, I learned that I can get lost in my head without booze.
FOMO is a real source of bad decisions, in my experience. Just know, its ok to be bored, or sad. These early days aren’t fun and are uncomfortable, but its that discomfort that will help you grow. It’s necessary; the price of admission if you will.
Do you have any hobbies you can lean on?
I do, but it is generally night time, so I just meditated and going to listen to some podcast
It gets easier with time. I had the same thing you’re going through when I quit. I’m at the point where I can go anywhere and not be tempted in the least. I enjoy myself not drinking. Too many rewards and advantages to list.
Keep this in mind…there are a lot of people in your city practicing revelry and festiveness tonight without a drop of alcohol. It can be done.
Stay sober. You’e not alone.
Staying busy and distracted with positive things is key. Also remembering the reality of what drinking actually does. All of those people that are supposedly having a great time out there are going to wake up feeling like shit tomorrow morning. Think about the morning with the headache, nauseous, unable to eat, unable to fulfill responsibilities, and then if you’re like me You are going to say well I drank last night I might as well drink tonight as well so F it! Then the vicious cycle starts and continues. I think it’s also about perspective as well. My addict and alcoholic brain wants me to think drinking is like a beer commercial and everything is happy go lucky on the beach but for me it’s not like that. It’s not drinking it’s poison. It’s not drinking it’s risking my life. And so forth. The early days Can be tough sometimes and you feel like you’re missing out but that’s not real. It’s cool to be sober. It’s cool to wake up feeling energized and healthy. It’s cool to remember what you did the day before. Drinking is not cool
Great job reaching out Leah. Can you find a meeting to go to? If you live in a city I bet there’s a meeting somewhere.
When I was a newbie and struggling I hit the streets and would do an angry power walk by all the bars I would love to go to. I’d be blaring Eminem and walk my ass off for a good 45 min to a hour. Then I’d hit a really long hot shower. Cried a lot in those showers. I was so angry I cannot drink like a normie. Then have some nice sparkling water and cook a healthy meal.
Stay on here with us. Stick with the winners. I never want to have a day one again.
So basically it is during night time. So I am going to get some nytol or somin to help with sleep. Once I sleep, I am fine through the day. Also one needs to get tired and making friends etc is not easy sometimes.. Yeah I do engage in lots of hobbies etc.
Meeting in the evening might help lots of like minded people there who have been were u are now wish you well
Did not end up drinking, feel a bit more in control and out of the fantasy world…
hey thanks a lot for this. Tbh I am going to print the poster and put it up. Yes, it is so painful. the day one. What gets in my way is the confidence that it would be fine this time… maybe I should write down things that has happened everytime i have this thought, it is quite powerful, the confidence.
do you have such more quotes that you could send me please?
Going to agree with @Ray_M_C_Laren
Night meetings can help a lot. When I was really struggling, I was at an 830 pm meeting every day. Made a ton of friends and had a place to go every night
Depending on where you live, there are often later meetings too. I’ve been to some 10pm and midnight meetings too
Good luck! You got this
thanks. also i am accepting that boredom does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with me. It is attached to being lonely most of my life and feeling intense shame due to it.
haha wow that is amazing