Its been a  week since I had a drink. This has been the first weekend since the Christmas holidays where I havent had a bottle of wine. I am more excited about making it through the weekend than the fact its been 7 days. I even had one meal out at a relatives house and was offered a glass of wine but said no. Easy when I am motivated and starting out with this challenge. I will see how it goes as time progresses.

What I have learned so far is that I am a little self obcessed.   I read other blogs on this site and have to stop myself from making “me too”,  ”I did this, I did that ” or “my problem was..” types of comments. Too many I’s in the picture, Your blogs are about you and your journey, not me chipping in with my story in your space. I can do that on my own blog,  So I will try to be conscious of this throughout my 12 weeks here and give supportive replies when I can without invading everyone’s space.

Ok, so…I started my first crack at 6 months of HSM on the first of January this year. I managed 17 alcohol free days until I started inventing all kinds of excuses to start drinking again. From the classic ‘I’ve learnt my lesson, I can drink responsibly now’, to ‘I work hard, I deserve to enjoy my life’ and the more unusual ‘a glass of wine is good for digestion’.

Having had a long enough period of time without the booze to be able to compare it against my usual way of life (drinking just enough most evenings to make sure I feel fuzzy and inefficient the next day and sometimes getting carried away with internet shopping in the process) – the boozy way of life has got nothing on the clean and sober version. I much prefer the clear headedness, the more measured emotional responses to problems and the way I feel after exercise – who knew cardio could make you feel good and not just totally unfit?!

The HSM community were so kind the last time I blogged about falling off the wagon that I ran away and hid for shame of not going the full distance. But I’m back again, on the same profile, for 3 months this time. It took me a few goes to quit smoking and I guess this is a similar beast. Get back booze! Be gone!

Week one is over! It’s been a busy week, workwise and professionally, and it wasn’t as hard as I thought!

I caught up w numerous people during the week, and drank soda water. I slept really well, and was really fresh for a busy week at work. Heaps of media calls, a new staff member, and lots of projects starting. I was pretty happy having a clear head for all of that.

Friday night I got home to discover some loser had broken in to my house and stole all our computers tv, and electronics, as well as ransacked our bedrooms. I was pretty upset, but delighted to discover no desire to have a drink afterwards. Once I felt okay about leaving the house I went out with my lovely boyfriend to a friend’s birthday drinks at the pub and then on to a party in west Brunswick. I gallantly offered to be sober driver – a first for me. Had a great time at both and some great conversations. I was pleasantly surprised I could go, and not want a drink. On Saturday my mate had his fiftieth, a party I’d been looking forward to for some time. While I yearned to toast his good health w champagne I still had a lovely time, drinking soda water all evening nattering away to everyone.

I have been thinking today about how drinking has become so increasingly for me a habit rather than a pleasure. I want to drink again, and I’d like my drinking to be about taste, pleasure and understanding and appreciating the craft that goes into good wine and beer..

All in all, I’m loving HSM. Not drinking is making my life easier, and I feel happier, calmer and healthier. I’m pretty happy with that.

That’s about all I can post. I’m typing this on my iPhone, so I reckon this is a pretty good effort!
That’s all. x

Here is a quick blog inspired by a positive experience today. After attending a Triathlon this morning, a day at the races followed. Corporate hospitality of course! Very much a drinking occasion.

Interestingly, the feeling of disappointment and disadvantage was quite noticable going to the Course as a non-drinker. I really felt like having a few. When I settled in after the introductions however, a couple of lemon squashes were more that satisfactory to get me through the day. At no time after arriving did I miss alcohol and I had a great day as my nornal outgoing self. Perhaps the only difference is, I didn’t stant gettting too loud by the end of the day

I again was the designated driver for others and now feel great having not drunk. In the last two weeks, I’ve been interstate twice, visited the Australian Open, attended the Australia Day Honours Ceremony in Canberra, attended a music concert, had a day at the races, had an overwhelmingly busy work schudule and numberous social dinners and corporate lunches, and been more than happy to be sober.

Not worrying about driving is great, my willpower to complete a full week’s vegan detox last week is great, losing 5kg (now 91.5) is great, currently not being dependant on any medication is great. Congratulations to all the creative and driven people behind HSM. I wouldn’t be doing this sobriety challenge if it wasn’t for them.

Peace.

I’m pretty pleased that by keeping myself busy I’ve lasted another week.

I will be blogging from now on at http://easeuponthedrink.tumblr.com because the interface it’s just easier for me.

Cheers

I apologise for this post being very little about alcohol, but right now I just feel the need to churn something out that is killing me. 

In the last week, I have gone from having 3 really good male friends, to none. All 3 of them have indicated their interest in being something other than friends. Now I know this sounds like the most self-indulgent thing in the world, but it’s really shit. I just want my friends back, with no agendas, no mixed feelings. Just friends. Is it a symptom of being in my early 20s? Is it that I’m too friendly? Or is it just bad fucking luck?

Without giving away too many details, I would like to ask if anyone has any advice?

The weather here in Melbourne is definitely reflecting my mood; it’s tempestuous. I’m cross at all of them, and at me. It’s taken 3 months of bloody hard work to get myself happy again, partly with their help. And now it seems I’m making them all unhappy. That’s what’s bothering me the most, these people all mean so very much to me that it just sucks that I can’t do anything to help them feel better. 

Last week I was thinking of getting back in touch with the ex, but I can’t seem to do that either. I’m feeling the need to get away from it all. Luckily though my driving is coming on leaps and bounds, according to my instructor. Golden Plains is in just under 6 weeks and I’m hoping to have my license by then and be able to drive down. 

Right now the solution I have opted for is making a massive lemon cake and retreating to my room with a cuppa to read. 

My apologies once again, and thanks for reading if you got this far. 

Apparently the last post I made did not come out well – so here it is again.
Thanks for letting me know Claire.

I have mentioned in the past about my hobby, photography.

Figures I should share a shot here at some stage:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/slin74/6627631345/in/photostream

This was shot from Brisbane’s Mt Cootha lookout. Of all days, it was Boxing Day!

Have a great weekend folks.

Best wishes,Steve

It’s been a long week. Was fine the first couple of days then really, really tired. No ‘go’ whatsoever. No sugar highs rushing me through the day, probably. Was invited out to a dinner last night. Had considered giving it a miss, but went over it all in my mind – politely refusing a drink – and went in the end. On the way my nerves kicked in. I’m such a ‘people pleaser.’ I thought about having just one or two wines. Decided to allow myself that, even though in the pit of my stomach I felt disappointed that I’d lost all my clarity about it. Once I got there I accepted a small wine, but as soon as I had it in my hand I bowled up to someone and started talking…and talking…and talking. It was a dinner where every 15 minutes or so someone would stand up and give a short speech and everyone would toast the host. That one small glass lasted me 4 hours. And I didn’t even finish it. There was nothing nonalcoholic, just heaps of wine. I would have been stoked if I’d been able to refuse entirely, but I didn’t feel as though I’d “been drinking”. Being rather shy, alcohol was my security. Did feel a bit odd that I was so forward, quite unlike me. But it was a tactic that got me through and I do feel good that at least I was in control. So mixed feelings at the moment. Just glad that I can come here, read other people’s stories, stuggles and successes. Really makes a huge difference. Makes ALL the difference.     

Well I’ve just passed the 1 month mark last Wednesday and it feels great. I have so much energy and have only craved a drink once or twice. I’m very lucky to have a suportive husband (thanks Ben) who helps me stay strong when i’m feeling week.

I’m worried I will find it harder to say no at my friends B’day party on Sat 25th Feb. I will have one of my beasties there who does not drink at all and I’m sure her just being there will help me feel as though I’m not missing out on anyhting.

I also want to shout out a big “good on you” to my mum for 2 alcohol free nights now. Way to g, love you heaps xxoo