Yes! This Naked Mind transformed my relationship with alcohol. July 1, 2017! I was just. so. DONE. I like the word "obsolete". I could never have "just one." It was so annoying to vow every day to drink less, and end up with a drink in hand come 5:30. I wasn't really in control--it was in control of me. And NO MORE HANGOVERS. Honestly just thinking about having one is enough to put me off my wondering if I should try a glass of something now and then!
"The Naked Mind" was the breakthrough book that encouraged my dad to get sober. Forwarding this to him now. Thanks for your thoughtful and comprehensive list & recommendations!
My favorites you wrote are #3 and #9. I come from a family that suffers from a lot of alcoholism and to me it's so clear that alcohol is the buffer that keeps them from being present in their lives. When you're present, you can take the steps to change your life for the better. But often time those steps are very intimidating and challenging- so alcohol is an easy, temporary distraction. I don't drink much (a few times a year), but if I ever hear myself say "I need a drink", I know it's because I had a hard day and I don't want to be present, I don't want to reflect- but I force myself to not self-soothe with substances. It's too slippery of a slope.
Sincerely appreciate your honesty and openness in writing this!
Love that picture-you must have been a blast to get hammered with! Alcohol is fun 🤩 as long as no one loses an eye-that’s the problem. Is it worth the aftermath? I think not. “Get high on your own supply” “Straight street that great street “ when I decide not to drink you are one of the people I see in my minds eye-thanks 🙏🏻 I’m going to use the six questions as a template for my own Stack. Cheers!
Bowen this is SO good! All of your points echo my own reasons for breaking up with alcohol. I especially love 'I need 100% of myself every day'! That simple wording sums up everything.
Before I quit I made meticulous notes about how I was feeling. I wrote about the exhaustion and confusion. I wrote clearly about my reasons for quitting. I wanted a record of it so that, like you, if I felt the desire to indulge I would have a reminder of why I quit in the first place. I have never needed it and it's been quite a few years. It was a very solid decision.
Yes! This Naked Mind transformed my relationship with alcohol. July 1, 2017! I was just. so. DONE. I like the word "obsolete". I could never have "just one." It was so annoying to vow every day to drink less, and end up with a drink in hand come 5:30. I wasn't really in control--it was in control of me. And NO MORE HANGOVERS. Honestly just thinking about having one is enough to put me off my wondering if I should try a glass of something now and then!
"The Naked Mind" was the breakthrough book that encouraged my dad to get sober. Forwarding this to him now. Thanks for your thoughtful and comprehensive list & recommendations!
My favorites you wrote are #3 and #9. I come from a family that suffers from a lot of alcoholism and to me it's so clear that alcohol is the buffer that keeps them from being present in their lives. When you're present, you can take the steps to change your life for the better. But often time those steps are very intimidating and challenging- so alcohol is an easy, temporary distraction. I don't drink much (a few times a year), but if I ever hear myself say "I need a drink", I know it's because I had a hard day and I don't want to be present, I don't want to reflect- but I force myself to not self-soothe with substances. It's too slippery of a slope.
Sincerely appreciate your honesty and openness in writing this!
Love that picture-you must have been a blast to get hammered with! Alcohol is fun 🤩 as long as no one loses an eye-that’s the problem. Is it worth the aftermath? I think not. “Get high on your own supply” “Straight street that great street “ when I decide not to drink you are one of the people I see in my minds eye-thanks 🙏🏻 I’m going to use the six questions as a template for my own Stack. Cheers!
I’m a firm believer in “whatever works.” Tell it Bowen! Thanks Donna for the pointer to Bowen’s stack. We need more sober voices always and evermore.
Bowen this is SO good! All of your points echo my own reasons for breaking up with alcohol. I especially love 'I need 100% of myself every day'! That simple wording sums up everything.
Before I quit I made meticulous notes about how I was feeling. I wrote about the exhaustion and confusion. I wrote clearly about my reasons for quitting. I wanted a record of it so that, like you, if I felt the desire to indulge I would have a reminder of why I quit in the first place. I have never needed it and it's been quite a few years. It was a very solid decision.
Thank you for this excellent article.
👌👌👌