I've been reading, shopping online, watching debates on You Tube, and thinking.

I´ve been reading, watching movies, thinking,....physical exercise, having more qualitytime with family and friends, sleeping well without nightmares, waking up fresh and rested, lost weight, look better, feeling proud of myself, better self esteem, the whole life its much better. My blood pressure is lower, I need less medication for blood pressure. No more depression, no more Prozac.

ToxicGirl,

in the beginning of my AF days I was so bored with all the "free," time, and that bottle was all so tempting. So I decided to fill every waking minute with some sort of activity. I made a promise to myself to learn a new language, landscape my badly neglected backyard, become closer to my family, study for a professional certification, and become physically fit.

A funny thing happened along the way. I realized that I didn't actually have any free time. In fact, I wish I had more time. All those years drinking. All the plans and promises I cancelled on because either I was too drunk or too hungover. I realize now how much I time I wasted with alcohol!

These days, I never get drunk because it does horrible things to my memory. I never want to feel hungover ever again. Because when I'm hungover my productivity is shot. I've come to the realization that I don't want to be a drunk. It just doesn't make me feel good anymore.

I admit, the first few weeks being AF is tough. But life is so much better with a clear head without that ongoing and perpetual hangover.

-Chance

Oh Chance - I LOVE reading the last post of yours. I too understand what it;s like to suddenly realise how much time I have on my hands - and therefore - HOW MUCH TIME I HAVE WASTED ! Life is a beautiful thing. I have young kids - and simply cannot believe how much I have wasted on the bottle. (I have not posted here for months. I have had some "up and down" times sincemy last post - but ultimately I am on the same journey as all of us here - and am pretty pleased with the progress. Hugs to all. Kiwi. : )

I read the post and I must admit that I have not read all the replies. This is the kind of question written by someone early on their journey. Anyone else experiences almost the opposite sensation. As the alcohol days take hold, their is a weird sensation of not having to do all the things that you want to do. It is as if, the addict is realizing all the time they had squandered and fearing the time to make it up.

Trust me. If you free up the time, you will find the time to fill it.

"If you build it, they will come."

I'm in the beginning (or middle?) of this journey, but I thought I'd throw in my two cents. My problem, drinking or not drinking, has never really been finding things to do with my free time - I have lots of interests and hobbies in addition to work and getting plenty of sleep hehe (this is KEY for me and my mood!). However, I do find that socializing without alcohol is difficult (and in my friend/age group, not very likely) and putting myself in drinking situations without drinking has been stressful and not fun. This is what I hope TSM will allow me to address - being able to be social and drink, but not overdo it. Because I have no problem finding things to interest me, but I find it hard to rope my friends into non-drinking activities, and I have quite a strong need for socializing. I suspect this is something that will become easier as I get older (I am nearing 30) and my friends grow up a bit maybe?
I also think that increasingly shifting my day earlier helps. I used to get up at 11 every day at the earliest, often stay up til 4am or later. There's not really a whole lot of wholesome socialiizing you can do at 2am lol. Planning to do things earlier in the day or evening helps with roping people into non-boozing activities.
But I agree with Springrider - I think this question is something that will solve itself as we become cured.

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Welcome back DOMD, a couple of questions. Is the pile of money from your reduced alcohol costs? Are the beautiful ladies ones that wouldn't talk to your slurring, stumbling former self? Do you need a wingman? I'll date the older sisters. Good to hear from you. How about a little update on your thread.

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