Day 30! Day freaking 30!
The sun is shining and I feel happy
I feel like I’m seeing the world in glorious technicolour instead of shades of grey.
If there’s anyone one here that hasn’t followed The Sober Experiment, please please please give it a go. If you engage fully it absolutely works and could potentially change your life. What have you to lose?
I’ve learnt a lot about myself over the past month of doing The Sober Experiment and now hopefully I have my mental toolbox fully equipped to tell the beast in my brain to f’ck off when he pops up to try and lead me down the dark path of self destruction. Thanks Lisa and Alex
Many changes both physical and mental have occurred over the last month. There are absolutely zero negative changes, all are positive. Some are obvious such as my appearance. There are too many to list, but here are a few…
1. My anxiety has lessened, I can see ways to manage it and I’m actively going to test myself. For instance, I have a dental appointment on Friday, which I will not cancel! Opticians will be next!
2. I’ve lost 4lbs in weight.
3. My personal hygiene has improved a lot. Teeth brushed more than once a day and more than one shower a week! (I know disgusting, but when alcohol rules everything else is unimportant).
4. My days are productive, I’m out of bed by 8.30 at the latest instead of 11ish and then lounging on the sofa until i deem it acceptable to have a drink. I’m aiming to start getting up at around 7am… but, baby steps…
5. My house is a lot cleaner. Ive dusted and hoovered every other day and I’ve actually cleaned the bathroom and toilet every week this month. The 1st time in years. My laundry basket is empty. My poor long suffering husband who works 70-80 hours a week has been doing everything.
6. I’ve cooked a proper homemade meal every evening. No takeaways at all. I’m actually a very good cook and I used to enjoy cooking and baking.
7. I’ve spoken to my mum on the phone once a week instead of just the odd random text whenever I could be bothered. We could go weeks without any communication. That’s an issue on both sides but one I can change.
8. I’m making a huge effort to speak, listen and engage with my husband and adult sons. It’s easy to talk, but I have to re learn how to listen and actually converse. I’m genuinely interested in how their days have gone.
9. I’ve taken control of our finances. This last month we didn’t overspend. Our weekly shopping has fallen by at least £100 with no alcohol or takeaways. No wonder we’re in debt!
10. I can actually see a future. I’m planning things, I’ve even booked a holiday for next year and I’ve started thinking about that day in December (far too early to mention the “C” word)!
Finally, I‘m on medication for tachycardia. Even with this medication my heart rate would throughout the day and night even when sleeping frequently and suddenly (for no apparent reason) rise to over 180bpm, sometimes higher for periods at a time. Leaving me breathless and faint if it was for a prolonged period. In the last 2 weeks it hasn’t happened… at all… And my resting heart rate has dropped over the month from 77bpm to 58bpm! Coincidence or related to the absence of alcohol? Alcohol consumption is known to impact the heart so I know what I believe! Oh, and my almost constant heartburn and acid indigestion has abated!
Groundhog Day is finished… with small steps and little personal challenges I’m going to do this. My life isn’t over, it’s only just begun. One day at a time...