OMG, yes EL, I've gotten so much mileage outta that "if this is as good as it gets" quip, SO much. Even though you're too busy w/ your job to post much, your Wisdom Lives On. Your most recent update shows once again this great analysis of where you are: you can look at it from the right brain side AND the left brain side. Combining the #'s and your feelings and anecdotal data. You look at it from every possible angle, and at this point it all shows such tremendous progress! Hmmm...maybe there's a book in here for you...your ticket outta the Hell Job???

Chrissie

Hi EL - glad to hear you're busy with all your crazy work endeavors. Don't burn yourself out though!

For pure bingers much like yourself, I think it's common not to see a drastic reduction in objective totals over time. At the end of the day, it's all about how your feelings about/experiences with alcohol have changed. Everything that you've mentioned about your subjective changes leads me to believe that you're in a really good place, and you should be super proud of yourself. You deserve it.

-H

Hey El,

Just catching up for the past few weeks. Putting the workload aside, it seems like you're in a good place.

Just be careful skipping Nal and 'testing' yourself. Especially if you then skip work too

So here's to 25mg... all my best,

Andy

Hi EL

I sure don't envy you your long days, but your attitudes around alcohol and your success with TSM are to be admired. I related to your overdoing it the night before a social event. I did that the night before last and was very tired yesterday. Still functioning though, so that's the main thing. Was quite happy to just have 1 drink last night and go home.

All the best with the interviews and exams. Something better will come along soon, I'm sure. Your relationship with your bf must be much improved now he's not worried about you wandering off on your own at night. My relationship with my hubby has also improved. Far fewer arguments and a happier social life.

Take care
Sticky

Hello people,
I AM ALIVE LOL. sorry to disappear for a while. Life caught up with me I guess... Big news. I've quit my day job and have decided to make a go of being full-time self-employed with my own translation business. My job was so horrible that it was making me mentally and physically sick (seriously - psychosomatic hip pain that disappeared over night when i quit!!) so I think this was for the best, even if a risky move in this economy. So far, so good - work has been coming in and I have been pulling in all my contacts to link up with other agencies. A few potentially big projects on the horizon, so I'm optimistic.
I also realized that while I was at this job my drinking was steadily increasing. Two weeks before I quit I was at 21 units, and that's probably a conservative estimate. Then the week before I quit was 22 units, and it involved an epic Friday night that I am putting at 12 units? but really not sure. Nothing disastrous happened (karaoke!) but I did lose my headband and I was fairly sloppy when my boyfriend and I got home and well, the tail end is a little patchy. Anyways, this was another one of the factors that convinced me that I needed to leave this job, because it was undoing a lot of the progress I've made with TSM. I really want to stay at or below 17 units every week from now on. So, starting today, I'm gonna go back to trying to have more AF days (I've been having a TON of 1 or 2 drink days recently, which is a feat in and of itself, but also just adds up unit-wise) and not going over 6-7 drinks really, ever if I can help it.
Anyways, super busy right now but I promise to try and catch up with all your posts soon!!!

Hey Electra! I am proud of you for courageously venturing out on your own. Screw that hip-breaking-stress-box-that--makes-you-wanna-get-drunk job.

You keep that pretty head of yours held high-- no matter what!

Glad you came back to the forum. When you are not adding your encouraging imput with your no-nonsense approach, this forum just ain't the same.

I want to thank you for your continual support throughout my TSM journey. You have been there for me every step of the way. And as I near my end, I am glancing back with much gratitude for having such a strong and reliable support group found only here in my case.

Wishing you well always,

Laura

Hi EL

I was hoping that somewhere along the line you would give up that crap job and just work for yourself. Good for you! It's a brave move and it sounds like you have a decent client base already.

It's not long until you reach the year mark. Good luck with your new TSM goals.

DO come & visit me in NZ if you can. We can give you a bed if the boys bunk in together & you don't mind sharing with a ton of soft toys!! Not sure how much MEL-AKL would be, but maybe you could factor it into your return airfare so it's not a side trip. There are lots of special fares trans-tasman.

Thanks for your continued support and words of wisdom re money.

Cheers
Sticky

Great decision, EL. That crap job didn't deserve you and you sure as hell deserve better than it. You've set some really smart goals for yourself and I now you'll make it.

EL, I have every confidence in you...you keep very good tabs on yourself, and so you know when it's time to bail out. You are obviously an energetic go-getter, which will take you far.

I have been self-employed for most of my working career, and have always considered it one of my best decisions. It can be a little scary sometimes, but on the other hand you always KNOW who is running the show: YOU.

Chrissie

Good for you EL!!! Congratulations! Go after your dreams there out there waiting for you...

Zippy is smiling for ya!