Day 9: April 9, 2024

What are My Thoughts Today?

I feel my brain slowly rewiring itself. Last night, the alcohol free red wine (mixed with a splash of tart cherry juice) didn't feel sub-par as I was enjoying it (it even tasted good with chocolate). I was grateful for the energy & clarity I had after dinner (normally I'd just feel drowsy), rather than feeling self-pity or deprivation.

There are still a few important areas I want to make positive adjustments on in my life, namely my schedule. But I am feeling a little more at ease knowing that I am handling the important things in my life, and that this change will eventually fall into place too if I apply the thinking I'm learning in The Path to these other issues.

I am going to start thinking of self-care as self-maintenance! I've always hated the term self-care (it feels too self-indulgent), but self-maintenance feels good. I will start by focusing on my skin care routine (okay, more like creating a skincare routine), then I'll add in household chores, healthier eating, de-cluttering, and physical maintenance (eye care, dental care, etc): all good ways to care for myself!

Drinks since April 1st: 0

Progress Notes / Tips:

I'm going out of town for a work trip soon, and I got some great tips on staying AF:

• Make a firm choice to be AF before you leave to help you avoid decision fatigue.
• Ask: How do you want to experience this trip? Visualize before you socialize!
• Bring your best tools with you on your trip! What's working at home? Replicate these tactics out of town! Do you "play it forward" to get over an urge? Try it! Do you have an AF beer at night? Bring a 6 pack with you, or go pick some up.
• Think about possible unknowns: what are some potential scenarios? Then plan! Call the restaurants near your hotel to see which places have the best alcohol-free options on the menu. Then suggest that your group goes there for dinner.
• Think about how you'll reply when a waiter takes your order. Practice it out loud before you leave town: "Yes please! I'll have a sparkling water with lime."
• Keep a non-alcoholic drink in your hand. No one will notice the difference, and your brain will be happy you are drinking something tasty, even if it's AF.
• Keep your mind occupied when you are at social gatherings so that your internal dialogue doesn't get stuck on how you're not drinking. Instead, make an effort to be curious about others. Get other folks talking about themselves, and try be a good listener. If people are drinking around you, be an observer of how they are acting. You might realize you're grateful to be in your right mind!
• If someone asks you why you're not drinking, remember you do not owe them an explanation. Keep your answer simple: "I don't drink" or "I don't like it" or "I'm not drinking tonight / this week," or "I sleep better when I avoid alcohol." You do not need to open up to strangers or colleagues about your struggles with drinking unless you want to; especially if this makes you feel uncomfortable!
• Have a committed listener on call; text or call them if you're having a craving or are feeling triggered. Cravings don't last forever; they can help to pass the time.
• Have a get-away plan. Leave early if you need to escape or spend time alone.
• Remind yourself how good you'll feel when you get home, staying alcohol free!

P.S. If you do drink, be mindful and curious &  remind yourself it's okay. The next day, ask yourself: What went well? What were the challenges?  Then dig into the reasons why you had the drink. What were your expecting from that drink? Did it deliver? How did you feel after? An hour later? In bed that night? The next day?

Having a drink doesn't have to be a failure if you learn from it and keep going on your Alcohol-Free journey. You are not starting from scratch or returning to Day 0, because that would discount all the AF days in between! Progress over perfection. That's why they call it a "data point" on The Path instead of a relapse. It's all data!

My Why: My why is to travel the journey of self-mastery, with hope and faith. To witness the change that occurs when daily actions are consistently applied to a life.

What's One Awesome Thing that Happened Yesterday because I Chose Not to Drink? I had enough energy to do some creative writing after dinner.

Daily Affirmations:
1) I choose to live alcohol-free.
2) I respect and honor myself.
3) I am worthy of love and care.
4) I give myself patience to heal.
5) I have compassion for others.
6) I create beauty all around me.