Thursday January 7th, 2021
Day 3
So I’m back to day 3 again. I guess the good thing about slipping really early on is that it doesn’t take that long to get back to where you were! After I drank on Day 4 the other day, I figured I might as well throw in the towel. But then I kept thinking when will I ever stop again? Next January? Two Januarys from now? So I didn’t drink on Tuesday, had a pretty good sleep and then didn’t drink again last night. However I was VERY close. We happen to have a couple of bottles of red wine leftover from Christmas holidays and when I started getting dinner ready around 6:00, it was all I could do to not pop one open and just start drinking. But then I didn’t. I don’t know why exactly but something stopped me. After I get to about the 7:00 mark I’m usually okay. From 4:00 to 7:00 pm is my witching hour. I think it being the end of the work day, the old ‘time to relax and take a load off’, as well as the preparing dinner piece. I actually really like cooking and preparing dinner but always kind of romanticize the ‘sipping on a glass of wine’ while preparing dinner piece. Like I’m a normal, sophisticated and cosmopolitan woman just delicately sipping some wine while I sauté vegetables. I wish that in the movies they would show the reality of that woman a bottle in two hours later and snoring on the couch with purple teeth. Haha!
Anyhoo, I guess the good news is I’m feeling a bit more motivated than I was at the beginning of the week. I realized also that I need to go back to some of my supports that I used last time which were to do lots of reading about other people’s journeys. Luckily I still have a great big stack of books to re-read and remind myself of the benefits of being sober. Today I will start again with Annie Grace’s ‘This Naked Mind’ which was the first “sober” book I ever read and found very motivating. Have a great day everyone! xx
One Year Without 
I’m the same 4pm until 7pm was my witching hour too. I’m not sure if you’ve read it but I found Jason Vale really helpful too ♡
Thank you so much!! I have heard of Jason Vale and I will check out his book. I also wanted to say thank you so much for sharing my blog with your community! I was so excited and grateful to find so many new followers and comments of support this morning when I woke up. It really gave me a boost that I think I needed. Thank you ☺️ xx
Any time 🤗 that’s what’s so wonderful about this little community, we all look after each other xx
Do you have people around who can support you? I made it through Christmas sober once then started again at New Year. Every New Year I resolved not to drink. But I last had a drink on 24.07.19, so it’s possible to stop at any time of year. Stay strong and don’t try to go it alone!
I’m reading “Naked Mind” also! Good for you for starting over again. I had a few false starts! Now I’m six months in. It will start to go by more quickly. You can do it.
Six months in, that’s fantastic!! I hope to get there again too. Thank you. Xx
One day at a time! 🙌🏻
If you haven’t read “High Achiever” by Tiffany Jenkins yet, I highly recommend it. She has an amazing YouTube channel too. She’s very candid about her addiction, mental health and in general life and has a wonderful sense of humor. It’s always nice to see people truly enjoying their sober lives.
Juggling the Jenkins: https://youtube.com/c/jugglingthejenkins
I love Laura Clery and her husband too. They’re both sober too. Haven’t read her book, but I know I’d love it!!
https://youtube.com/user/LauraMarieClery
Sending love and light! Monica 🥰🤗🥰🤗🥰🤗
Oh great! Thank you so much for the suggestions Monica! I hadn’t heard of those ones so I will look into them. I really appreciate your support. Xx
Wishing you the best!!!!!! 🥰🤗🥰🤗🥰🤗
Thank you Monica!!
This Naked Mind was one of the main books to help me too. You can do it!
Thank you Dwight! I really appreciate the support!
Give the wine away. Make your house an alcohol free safe zone. It has served me so well to do that. I’ve always been somewhat self destructive…
Now is a great time. No one ever regrets not drinking longer, but many regret letting their bottom continue to deepen.
There is so much life and possibility just waiting to be seen! Give yourself that year. It was the greatest gift I ever gave myself, and continue to give.
Anne
Thank you so much for your comment Anne! It’s very helpful. I have made sure there’s no wine in the house in the past but I think I got a bit cocky this time and thought I’d be just fine. It’s so hard when it’s just sitting there looking at you though. Definitely good advice to get rid of it! And I love your point that no one ever regrets not drinking longer. Such a good point to always remember. Maybe I’ll use that one as my mantra…….xx
yesterday was a tough one for many…but even if there was none of the drama it’s still hard around the holidays…keep up the great work.. 1 year is amazing!!
Thank you so much! Your support is much appreciated. Xx
Keep going!!! I’m in my fourth month now and never thought I would get here, now I can’t stand the stuff or thought of drinking and being like my “old” ways x
Thank you so much for your support! It really means a lot to me. That’s great that your at four months!! I hope I can make it there again too 😊. Xx
I quit every week last year. Until finally it stuck. However it took a weekend of my drinking a full 60 oz of Rye follwed by half a 24 oz of Rye. Realized I was killing myself and that was it. As my son said to me when I would drink after not drinking for a bit.
It is okay mom. You were able to do it for four days. Next time it will be five.
And so on.
I so applaud your decision to quit drinking and know the pitfalls and desires.
Have a great day.
Thank you for your comment. Good for you also for sticking with it until it stuck! I always find it really hard to start again after I’ve messed up. It makes me feel so defeated. It’s so lovely what your son said to you, how thoughtful and wise. Have a great evening!
Thank you you too. It is ok. One day at a time and of need be one hour. It will happen. Hugs. Have a great weekend.
Don’t forget ‘the unexpected joy of being sober’ by Catherine Gray. If I hadn’t book I would never have taken the step. As Anne says above … no-one in this sober community says they regret giving it up! Read blogs and comment. The more support and wider your little community, the easier this becomes. Just knowing you aren’t alone is huge motivation in itself. Good luck. Keep going. Remove all booze and temptation … for a while at least! Xxx
Thank you! Yes! The Unexpected Joys was excellent too, need to re-read that one.