18 Days of Sober Takeaways: Day 3
Moderation Isn’t Easier. It’s Just More Work.
Before I accepted that I couldn't drink, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how and why I could.
I tried rules. I tried limits. I tried drinking different kinds of alcohol or only drinking on certain days.
I could even convince myself that a drink with dinner was different from drinking.
All in aid of getting drunk.
Every new plan, of course, came with the same promise - this time I WOULD cut down!
And for a few days, sometimes longer, I’d feel as though I’d finally figured it out.
But then something would happen.
So, I’d have an extra drink. I’d break one of my rules. I would wake up the next morning, disappointed in myself, and begin working on a better system.
What I didn't see was that normal drinking does not require this much administration. Plus…
The system I was using was shame-based so I was constantly setting myself up for failure.
I was spending an enormous amount of mental energy trying to make alcohol fit into my life.
And eventually, it dawned on me. Could it be that the problem wasn't the system I was using...but the alcohol?
So, the big question facing me then – the same one I raised on Day 1 in my countdown to #SoberOctober – was this: “Why did I started drinking in the first place?”
What makes anyone start drinking alcohol?
More thoughts on that tomorrow on Day 4 of my 18-Days of Sober Takeaways from #NationalSoberDay to the start of #SoberOctober.
If you’d like to start on Day 1, you can find it here: 18 Days of Sober Takeaways - Day 1
To further explore any of the topics raised in my 18 Days of Sober Takeaways, or if you’d like support in stopping drinking, please visit:
Substack: Sally Cardy - Transformative Recovery Solutions