What I Love About Being Sober

Life in Recovery
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I wanted to start this thread for everyone to share what they most love about being sober in hopes we can encourage others that may be struggling to get to that point. Maybe the words we share here can serve as inspiration to help them on their journey to feel the feelings we “love” about being sober.

I hope that this can serve as encouragement that you can also get through that ugly “hump” of feeling caught in the feelings of addiction and know that everything DOES get better, there is a light at the end of that treacherous tunnel, and that you will find greener pastures on the other side of it.

I have now personally been sober for over 2 years and 7 months. I never thought I would get to this point. I have been through some tidal waves through my journey, and I thank God for the blessings I have today, which are many.

As a mom, the thing I love most about being sober is living 100 percent in the moment with my kids. Living without those annoying “urges” that get you anxious in the moment and take you away from the moment mentally because you just need to get your “fix.”

I have learned over the years that time is fleeting. Kids grow up with the blink of the eye, and we get older with the blink of an eye too.

Time is all we really have, and not a second of it that we are blessed with is even guaranteed. It is so incredibly important to savor each and every moment and LIVE those moments with those that you love.

My oldest kiddo is almost an adult, and my two littles are “little” but they are getting so big. They still have that twinkle in their eye when they are spending time with me (the kind that seems to fade when they become teenagers and would rather be with their friends who are way “cooler.”).

I am enjoying being sober and observing that twinkle. It makes my heart so happy to see. I took the kids kayaking over the weekend, and we ended up on the water for 2 hours because their little adventurous spirits were just loving it so much.

I am enjoying being a mom to a teenage girl too (surprising I know) as difficult as it is sometimes. But my sobriety has given me the ability to have many meaningful deeper conversations with her and be there for her (on her time of course, ha) when she just needs her mama to talk to her.

What are your favorite things about being sober?

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Love your share, thank you :blush:

I am 20 months sober from alcohol.

Other than my daughter being happier and thriving in life which is always my priority i still feel like my favourite thing is my own personal integrity…to wake up and feel like i am a decent person these days means so much to me…to not have all that shame and self loathing dragging me down like a dead weight anymore has literally changed my life…i know that i will never be cured of my addiction but at least im am now free of shame, dishonestly and self loathing…now i am honest even about the small things because i want to live an authentic life… i know i am a decent person and i love myself again.
:heart:

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Mental Strength.
Better relationships.
Freedom from thought control.
Physical health.
Freedom to be spontaneous as in driving at night due to no alcohol in the system.
Positive mindset.
Better sleep.

Just a few off the top of my head

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Im pretty much mirror everything you say. Being sober has opened my eyes to the fact life is so fleeting and I wasn’t ever present for it whether drunk or in a anxious state of mind over everything. I wanted the day over or event over so I could drink. I was so anxious I struggled leaving the house.
I love taking risks now in a good way. Try new experiences and pushing my comfort zone. I’m becoming the person I thought I would be when I was ten years old. I love savouring all the memories with my kids and I’m constantly looking for next opportunity to do something with them. We’re going sailing in the half term and abseiling, we got a farm show to go to and then british touring cars rally. Feel like iv fell back in love with life and want to experience all the weird and wonderful things it has to offer.

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I drove last night out late and was like wow this is exciting haha iv never been out late taking in the sights! Crazy really.

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I think that hits it on the head really. It’s loving yourself again which really opens up so many possibilities

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I think so…all that sneaking around, lying, deceiving, hating myself, hurting myself and others all for my addiction was exhausting…i never want to go back.

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I’m loving being more connected with my body. I’m more mindful of general aches, pains and mental states. Rather than pass it off as a hangover or illness from drinking, I’m figuring out what the reason for the headache is, or why my stomach feels sick. Hopefully that makes sense.

I also love;
Not ever being hungover.
Being able to function WAY better on less sleep (our 2.5yr old thinks he’s part of the 5am club at the moment).
Being more present for my family.
Having more stamina at work, and during play with my child.
Being more mentally alert more of the day.
Having WAY less stress and anxiety.
Being able to solve problems faster and easier.
Not being so emotional or reactive - now in more control of my feelings.
Not having massive anger outbursts all the time (dickheads in traffic still get me, but way less!).
I love not rushing so much, like I’m trying to get somewhere all the time, I feel like life has slowed down.
I love the community i am now a part of.
I love having extra $$ in my bank even though it still disappears at the same rate. :sweat_smile:
I love being able to hold in my intrusive thoughts.
I love having less intrusive thoughts.
I love being able to stay focused on my goals.
I love driving and not having to worry about the cops pulling me over and breathalysing me incase I still have alcohol in my system over the limit.
I love not accomplishing a single thing allllllll day, but still having a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day because I didn’t drink.
I love accomplishing more every other day because I didn’t drink the night before.

I can keep going!!

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Peace of mind. It far outweighs anything else for me.

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I love the hope i feel in sobriety. In the before days it got pretty dark and hopeless. Going thru the 12 steps and finding my sober community has given me a newfound hope that ive been missing for many,many years.

Its like what @Whereswaldo said about even if we do nothing today we have accomplished another day sober, another day building our recovery…which also fuels my hope

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I love that! It is so important to have that feeling and it does wonders for your self esteem and self worth. Congrats on the 20 months of loving yourself and sobriety!

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Great reasons! Definitely having a more positive mindset is one of the best parts of sobriety. You don’t have to worry about that monkey on your shoulder beating you up on the daily.

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Yes! The spontaneous adventures being a very doable thing is definitely one of those reminders of how much more fun it is to just be sober. That is wonderful that you are getting to make those memories with your children and live in the moment too!

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Yes! Feeling accomplished everyday even when you have a day with less activity is a wonderful feeling. I concur with the statement about being able to accomplish goals as well. All very important.

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The pleasant aroma of fresh cut grass
Perfume
Money
The joy of being next to a woman, and i can smell her. Not the naughty bits but more importantly the fresh scent
Drunk me could not enjoy that

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I’m one month sober and I’m going to keep going. What I love about being sober is building a deeper connection with family/friends, gain mental clarity, no more negative thoughts, being able to sleep better, having an appetite to eat and most importantly, have a happier experiences in life. I know that I won’t take life for granted when there is so many things to enjoy and live abundantly with Jesus Christ :sparkling_heart::pray:t5: I’m happy for you, bonding with your kids and being there for them. I love that! High-five :raised_hands:t5:

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I’m 24 days into this journey and what I love most at this point:
Not waking up hungover.
Not wondering “what happened last night?”
Not feeling ashamed, embarrassed and disappointed in myself.
I don’t feel this deep dread anymore when i wake up.
It’s very refreshing!

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I know a man that this statement will probably really speak too. I will share it with him.

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Living in the moment and making those moments meaningful is so very important. And gaining a deeper connection with God as well of course because you can actually “hear” what He is trying to say to you with a sober mind. Congrats on all of that. :pray::sparkling_heart:

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Congrats on 24 days and keep it going!