So I have reached the end of my 30 days of sobriety. I wish I could come out saying it was this wonderful amazing experience but for me, that happened within the first week! I think the reason it was such a powerful feeling the first five days was I boasted about my new challenge with anyone that stood around long enough to listen. I told office co-workers and bar customers, friends and family, but was I was surprised about – was the support. Even the heaviest of drinker friends didn’t try and pressure me; in fact I had people join me in my 30 day crusade, some during, some starting this upcoming month.
The effects went in immediately after stating that I wouldn’t be drinking for 30 days. I stop even wanting anything after the second day. I expected having many nights in, working out and going to bed early a.k.a. no social life. Instead the first week I was out EVERY NIGHT and similar schedule the week after. In fact, I think I have gone out and participated in more activities within the first 20 days of January then the last three months!
My nights were filled with dinner dates with friends, charity events, ice skating, school, Smash Putt, theatre shows, the stock show oh…and work. In the month of January I ended up having only two days off. Yes, that means I will have worked at least 29 out of the 31 days of January. I am amazed that I still had clean clothes!
Back to the activities… since I didn’t take pictures of everything that I participated in, I will leave you with the things that I have learned over the past 30 days (some related to the challenge and some not)
- scary how many of my activities revolve around alcohol
- once I announced my 30 days, many people wanted to join me
- many were too afraid to try though, knowing they might fail
- danced with a man for the first time (no snickering, just never had the opportunity) and found out that I need to learn how to follow, as in, not trying to lead (I play the male role when dancing with women)
- even the heaviest of drinkers supported me and didn’t pressure
- if you post on Facebook that you are getting set up on blind dates, no need for a dating service, men just seem to crawl out of the wood work, even those not on Facebook (and so far is working to my benefit)
- it isn’t as hard as you’d think to break or create a habit
- I should spend more time with family, mainly because I enjoy them (plus the little kids seem to grow up really quickly now a days)
- there are certain events that I now prefer to participate sober
- enjoying my journey re-discovering my faith, but just like school, it will be a long one
- my recent (small) weight loss might have been due to the lack of empty calories via alcohol (might)
- experiencing activities as an adult that I did as a child – not always the way I remember them, but still have the ability to evoke feelings
- true friends are always there for you, even when you think they’re not, and seem to touch base when you need it most, whether you were aware you needed them to
Plans for the future
While I may be out of adult time out, I am still on probation. I can’t just jump back in with both feet. I need to hang out in the wading pool for awhile. The next month, I will only be allowed to drink beer and wine and only two glasses per night or outing. I probably will have a beer or two for super bowl and some wine on Valentine’s Day. Also, I won’t be allowed to keep any booze in the house. Maybe after a couple of months, I can bring a small bottle, no longer the massive jug that one occupied the fridge. Not sure when the hard alcohol will come back into play but I’m in no rush; just taking one step at a time and everything in moderation. For now I will sip my pomegranate blueberry juice at night before bed and looking forward to encouraging the new round of friends that are giving the sobriety thing a go for the month of February. I TOTALLY SUPPORT YOU!