Day 2

"Don't think about what can happen in a month"

"Don't think about what can happen in a year"

"Focus on the 24 hours in front of you."

&

"Do what you can to get closer to where you want to be."

The quote above is another take on the "One Day at a Time" adage which is a big component of most recovery programs.  We may be only giving up alcohol for a thirty day span but this mindset is applicable and relevant to our chances of sticking with the abstinence plan.

Today is the only day we have to deal with.  Would today be a normal drinking day?  If so, do you have a plan to manage the inevitable cravings you'll feel.  It's comparable to trying to give up sugar or coffee or cocaine for that matter.  Because it's a habit, our bodies and minds will eventually notice it's absence and become demanding and insistent.  Our best morning intentions must be followed up with an acknowledgement that later on there will be a battle to be fought.  Be prepared to do battle with your ego's aversion to change.

When and if you are faced with the temptation to have a drink later on today, remember to review your reasons for taking this booze break.  Allow the feelings of desire and need to pass through you; even rest within you for a while.  Allow yourself to feel the cravings.  Stay awake and present to their peaks and valleys of urgency .. then observe this desire slowly ebb and dissipate.  it may return a few times in the course of an evening so be prepared.

Soothe yourself with a cup of tea, a sugary treat; whatever it takes.  Don't deprive yourself of anything but the booze.  You need some serotonin boosting in order to cope with cravings.  Spoil yourself.  Just don't drink booze.

Have an alternative drink if you wish. If you are a beer drinker, Becks makes a great faux beer that tastes a lot like Corona.

Be prepared and only worry about today.

Daily Check Off List

1.  Prepare intentions and plans for the day
2.  Take vitamins, medication and/or supplements
3.  Hydrate adequately
4.  Move vigorously for a minimum of twenty minutes
5.  Eat some nutritious food
6.  Connect with my 'Buddy' and/or spend time on recovery literature

Day One

“The first step of change is to become aware of your own bullshit”

Knowing oneself is a constant journey.  Accepting yourself with all your bumps, bruises and scars is imperative to enacting change.  Do you love yourself?  I am not sure if any of us can answer a heartfelt ‘yes’ to that question.  We are all at varying levels of self-love.  There are some of us who, literally, feel disgust with ourselves on a regular basis and others, like myself, who have, through the years, developed a sense of quiet albeit fragile, self-acceptance.

We need to take an honest look at what triggers we are going to handle today, our first day of this intentional period without booze.  Our intent has to be clear.  We have to take a minute to prepare ourselves a daily reminder.  Use your phone or post a sticky note somewhere obvious.  Use code words if you want to keep mum about your abstinence.  You might use the phrase “Drink Water” as your exposed reminder of what ‘not’ to drink.  It’s easy to explain and related.  Whatever works!

My triggers will be different from yours.  For me, it might be a casual family gathering that includes my little grandchildren when most people wouldn’t dream of drinking.  It’s odd but I can abstain much easier at a wild party than around my kitchen table on a Tuesday night.  I am aware of that and will adjust my thoughts and intentions accordingly.

At the beginning, having a glass of water or a cup of tea handy is, not only good to help you muscle through a tempting situation but it’s also hydrating which will counteract the thirst that sometimes tricks us into grabbing a beer or a glass of something ‘refreshing’.

Below please use the Daily Check Off List to give yourself the best chances of success.  I have found that we need to keep the triggers at bay by setting time aside each day to consider our sober intentions and by keeping our bodies nourished, exercised, hydrated and supplemented.  When we regularly drink alcohol we tend to deplete these important health components.  Equally as important is to reach out to the cyber or real world to communicate and share experiences with like minded individuals. The sidebar lists some helpful websites, blogs, books and podcasts you may be interested in checking out.

Daily Check Off List

1.       Prepare my intentions and plans for the day

2.       Take Vitamins, medication and/or supplements?

3.       Hydrate myself adequately

4.       Move my body for at least twenty minutes

5.       Eat some nutritious food 

6.       Connect with my Buddy and/or spend time on recovery literature