Primrose described it in her comment as ‘the perfect storm’, and certainly the potential for alcohol catastrophe was there yesterday. But guess what? I got through it, sobriety intact! Husband, kids and I all went to my parents for the birthday supper, and right up until the last moment I had intended to drink there. But I read the comments on yesterday’s post, and these helped me decide to take a bottle of AF fizz with me, and that’s what I drank. I felt bad that I hadn’t warned my Mum, and that she had got a special bottle of champagne ready, but they all drank that (well, not the kids) and I stuck to my stuff.
So here I am, Day 8, having survived my first alcohol free birthday for years. What I’m finding interesting/terrible at the moment, is the way I swing from super-positive pink cloud highs where I’m privately celebrating my sober achievements, to a plunging pit where I wallow in my own anti-sobriety club. And this change can occur in a matter of minutes. It’s exhausting.
But I woke up today, grateful for my blog, and for the community surrounding it. Heartfelt thanks to you all.
A Dappled Path 
That’s great news Annie! AF sparkling is okay in my world 🙂 As for the extremes of highs and lows – yep me too although they’ve leveled out quite a lot now! xx
I’m looking forward to it’s being more level; I can’t imagine it. Annie x
So happy to read this. Go Annie 🙂 x
Thanks, Bea. I hope you are ok. I keep an eye on your blog. Annie x
Yay!! Great news! The instant highs and lows are normal, unfortunately. But everyone says they get better:)
I really do hang on to the idea that it all gets better; because it certainly feels very difficult at the moment. Annie x
Hurray for you! I am on Day 25 and football season started her in Texas last weekend. Boy was a bummed! Tailgating without beer? Game watching without booze? How could aI manage? Know what? I did fine. You will too. Stay strong. The highs and lows will level out and you will find yourself enjoying life as a sober person. Promise!
Hello. Thanks for commenting! Day 25 is brilliant! Annie x
So relieved to hear you didn’t succumb. You would have been feeling crap about yourself today and now you’re allowed to feel smug and proud. You did it. Go girl!
I do feel proud, but I also feel tired, and I still often feel that I’d like to go back to my old ways. Annie x
Onward Ho! Life awaits!! Look at you go. I am thrilled for your success!!
Yes, life awaits! I must remember that. Annie x
Hurrah! Go birthday girl! The best gift you could give yourself. Hugs. xx
Thanks! Feel a bit flat today, but I’m so glad I didn’t dive in yesterday. Annie x
That’s great. Be careful about feeling obligated to others. Those were my most dangerous times earlier on. If someone made me a special drink, or had my favourite wine. But eventually I realized I need to be accountable to me. Making myself happy really does matter.
There are ebbs and flows with sobriety. You should google PAWS. It is a real thing. It can impact your for up to a year. It is good to know that when you feel off or really tired.
Take care of yourself!
I am going to look into PAWS as I’m definitely feeling very tired. I don’t know how I managed when I was drinking! Annie x
I felt wasted for about 10 days, slept 12 hours a day, better now at day 13 or 14 or so (stopped counting after 10). I guessed it is part of the process; the constant thinking, feeling and taking stance against alcohol. I’m thinking that all the (nasty) stuff that I used to drink away suddenly sticks its head up. That’s tiresome. Do you sleep well?
I sleep ok, but I’m not having that deep, restful sleep that people often describe. Annie x
You might try taking magnesium before bed. Women are often deficient and it helps with sleep and relaxing.
Hi Annie, just found your blog and read from the start. Congrats for having a sober birthday! I’ve got further than I have been before, but I’ve found that having to go to social events like that is the real test. I’m OK in my sober bubble – I seem to have developed a different routine – but going out is not my favourite thing at the moment! Do you have a specific replacement drink? I have either posh cordials with soda water, or pomegranate juice and soda water. I’ve found it really helps.
xx
Thanks for reading, and for commenting! I’m after a few more ideas for alternative drinks – I’ve just written my next post about it! Annie x
Hang in there Annie. One day at a time, one hour at a time. Hugs from across the pond 🙂
Thank you, thank you, thank you, lovely friend. Annie x
Well done Annie! You did it! You are doing it! These are good things x. And congrats on your 9 days. Love from the Sober Garden.
only just seen this – zippeddy doo dah, hurrah, and all other cheerful comments! well done you! xx