I'm just about at 7 years! Best thing I ever did, but its an entirely different way of being.
I was one way when I was drinking, and i'm another way now. The times when I was drinking were good in a sense, kinda like the author mentions, but after giving it up all of my anxiety vanished, and I noticed (after a few years sober) that I felt almost like my childhood self, which was/is still astonishing to me in the best of ways.
A lot of things had to be sacrificed however. My life is vastly more boring, and I honestly have no interest in socializing, unless it is with family or really close long-term friends. And I used to have a LOT of fun going out, meeting new people, getting in trouble / crazy situations, all of it. Like a totally different person.
But it is all worth it -- my kid has never once had to deal with me having a hangover, and all the baggage that that comes with. And all the fights my partner and I used to get in? Gone. Best thing I ever did, even thought it was extremely hard in the beginning.
Nice! I always tell people that recovery is really just about being awesome. Doing the next right thing is critical. And for an alcoholic, the next right thing is never “have a drink”. Everyone else, enjoy :)
sibeliuss · · focus · HN ↗
I was one way when I was drinking, and i'm another way now. The times when I was drinking were good in a sense, kinda like the author mentions, but after giving it up all of my anxiety vanished, and I noticed (after a few years sober) that I felt almost like my childhood self, which was/is still astonishing to me in the best of ways.
A lot of things had to be sacrificed however. My life is vastly more boring, and I honestly have no interest in socializing, unless it is with family or really close long-term friends. And I used to have a LOT of fun going out, meeting new people, getting in trouble / crazy situations, all of it. Like a totally different person.
But it is all worth it -- my kid has never once had to deal with me having a hangover, and all the baggage that that comes with. And all the fights my partner and I used to get in? Gone. Best thing I ever did, even thought it was extremely hard in the beginning.
stevepotter · · focus · HN ↗