Passed the two week mark! I've gotten to the point where it's hard to keep track of what day I'm on, I think that's a good thing. I think it means it's becoming something I'm used to, not something I have to think of every single second. They say it takes 21 days to develop a habit...
No big developments in the past few days. Hitting the gym hard and cooking all sorts of healthy meals. Still really enjoying sober sleep. I wake up (usually before my alarm) refreshed instead of parched and achy.
More "challenges" this week, it's Aubrey's birthday and Amanda arrives on Sunday. Both occasions would usually call for excessive libations. Now I just keep thinking about how we will have so much more time for other activities (and I don't have to account for hangover recuperation). I've proven to myself that I am still fun in social settings without 4 drinks in me, so I don't have to avoid situations where I would normally drink. That realization makes things a lot easier. Pretty sure I'd be terribly bitter if all I did was hang out at home and think about my friends out on Duval Street. Speaking of friends, the peer pressure has completely subsided. Everyone is either used to it or cheering me on. Or both :-).
I haven't been perfect, I have been slacking on my daily meditations (a couple times I've had to do two in one day). So my mini-goal this week is to not miss any. They really help to center my thoughts and energy, so it should not be a difficult goal to accomplish. Speaking of "centering," my overall balance (emotional, physical, mental/spiritual) is changing so much. If you've taken time out of your day to read this, you probably know me pretty well. You probably know me enough to know that I am not an "over-thinker." I don't know enough about politics, I HATE conspiracy theorists, I'm practical with a streak of idealism. That being said, I've had a lot of sober time to over-think things in the past couple weeks (plus I'm always keeping my eyes and ears open because I have to have something to write about on this damn thing! lol). One question I've been centering on a lot is "Why is alcohol automatically involved in almost everything social?" This question easily leads into "Why do we want that buzz or drunk?" I thought about what happens after those first few drinks at happy hour...
1. Conversation/volume/laughter/arguments increase
2. Inhibitions subside (see also: dancing like a fool, talking to complete strangers, kissing complete strangers, saying/texting things you would never say sober)
Besides kissing complete strangers, most of these things seem like child-like characteristics. I am not saying we drink because we are immature. I am saying we drink because we don't know how else to get to that non-jaded uninhibited happy place that used to be our norm. By eliminating alcohol-induced highs, my happiness feels much more balanced as I mentioned before. I am confident enough to be honest when I'm sober or talk to a stranger. I am strong enough not to make bad decisions or text things to people who shouldn't even be in my life anymore! I don't need the highs or lows, I'm finding pleasure in the consistent content. This really aligns with Buddhist views which makes me happy, I'm growing and that's the whole point of this.
2 weeks down...no way am I fallin' off anytime soon.
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