Sunday – My One Day Off Work
First Attempt – Day 4 of My “30-Day No Alcohol Challenge”
5:07 AM
Today is my only day off of the week – Sunday. And, usually, I would have gotten up at 1 or 2 am to start drinking beer. Today, I woke up at 5 am (on my own, no alarm).
During the week, when I’m going to work, I’m the strongest in the morning. My alcohol cravings tend to hit in the afternoon when I’m at work when I’m bored or stressed. And my cravings really hit the hardest when I’m done work, when my routine used to be to just go to the liquor store and start drinking right away until I drunkenly went to bed.
Well, today is Sunday, which used to be my day-drinking day. That’s all I would do. Drink and watch random videos from YouTube all day long. And I wouldn’t get much done at all because my motivation to do anything productive wouldn’t be there.
Right now, I’m craving alcohol so much, I’m in physical pain, and I don’t know what to do to make this craving go away!
Is today the day that breaks me?
5:47 AM
I’m still in bed. My craving for alcohol is so bad that I feel it throughout my body. But I just got an idea.
My “routine” on Sundays is to drink. So, I decided I have to break that routine right now.
How?
Well, for starters, I could go workout. The last time I worked out was never.
I have to change my focus from my body’s discomfort/cravings to something else, and I think working out would break my Sunday routine. This workout is not about getting in great shape or losing weight. It’s about breaking the routine while doing something good for myself.
So, I’m gonna get out of bed, start working out, and I’m sure my boyfriend will wonder what the hell I’m doing because I’ve never worked out since we’ve known each other (more than several years). Lol.
6:30 AM
So I worked out. I thought I was in better shape than this. I worked out to the video below.
I had to stop many times and drink tons of water, was out of breath, and stopped the video at 11:51 minutes because my body was done, but that’s OK. I worked out the craving and I’m proud. Plus, next Sunday when I wake up I can work out to this same video and see how much I improved.
As I was working out, I was thinking, “What else can I do today that would make me proud?” And simple things like finally doing my laundry, cleaning the house a bit, and creating a simple website to showcase my artwork, which I decided to start selling in the near future. Little things.
And I’m not going to be hard on myself. Today should be a no-stress kind of day. I’m going to be kind to myself! I deserve it because this journey of going without alcohol for the first time in 17 years is a tough one.
7:01 AM
My boyfriend just melted double cream brie cheese on toasted Naan for me for breakfast. I made myself a great cup of coffee with cream and sugar (usually I deprive myself and skip breakfast and only have black coffee and two pieces of processed cheese for breakfast because I gain weight easily).
It was a great breakfast, and I ate it in the living room, where I could sit on the couch and watch the lake from the picture window. And I realized that this journey to not drinking alcohol for 30 days is very rocky emotionally. So many times I’ll feel proud of myself, and then I feel like my alcoholism is there to torture me.
Right now, I still feel good, so I’m going to work on a painting in my coveralls (my absolute passion is art), finish my coffee, and just focus on bettering my life somehow. And if I get another craving later, I’ll deal with it, knowing that the uncomfortable (sometimes painful) feelings will eventually pass, and I’ll be proud of myself again.
10 AM
I’ve been getting so much done today, and I can’t believe it’s only 10 AM! I’ve done so much work on a painting, and the day has only begun!
I realize that when I day-drink on Sundays, I mostly just sit on the couch and drink, watch random YouTube videos, and sleep a lot. I never have the motivation to do anything else but that.
But one thing struck me as I texted my friend Emily, who is also an alcoholic: “Day 4 of being sober…sometimes I’m super happy and proud, then I’m miserable. lol, but I’m so committed to doing this for 30 days of abstinence… my liver needs a break.”
She replied, “I don’t blame ya. A break is good once in a while. Boring. But it’s needed.”
The word “boring” is exactly what I’m thinking about having no alcohol in my life as well. I struggle with that. Can my life still be exciting without alcohol? I guess I’ll be able to answer that at the end of 30 days.
1:50 PM
So I had all these plans for myself today, and my to-do list kept on getting bigger and bigger. I did a lot, mostly financial stuff and things that were too stressful for me to deal with in the past several weeks (and during my biggest alcohol binge of all time).
I did what was most important, but now I’m left with a lot of little to-do things, and I’m feeling overwhelmed by having too much to do to organize my life and catch up on the things I didn’t do in the past several weeks.
That’s when the anxiety hit!
Right now, I feel like I’m having a panic attack because I know I have so much to do to organize my life, and so little time to do it!
I’m overwhelmed!!!
2:08 PM
So I just watched a video by Mel Robbins called “How to stop feeling overwhelmed right now”.
She provides a solution to combat overwhelm by advocating for a brain dump technique. She recommends writing down all concerns and tasks, selecting the top three priorities, and eliminating the clutter from the mind, leading to improved focus and productivity.
I took Mel’s advice, listed all the things I have to do, and picked the top 3 things I know I MUST do.
I’m going to work on them right now and see how I feel once I complete my 3 tasks (getting my work clothes washed/prepared for the week, finishing the painting I’ve been working on, and preparing for quality time with my boyfriend over dinner).
The rest of my tasks can wait until all those 3 are done.
6:51 PM
OK, I can attest that completing those 3 tasks worked to calm my nerves, tremendously! I first did those 3 tasks, and then I had the momentum to even go to the grocery store to get food for my lunches, plus I started working on a new painting.
I’m amazed that by not drinking, I have so much more time and motivation to do things to make my life better. And not drinking is making my relationship with my boyfriend so much better too, so far. He was even sober all day and didn’t get any beer for tonight.
8:13 PM
I had a good evening relaxing, and I’m also extremely happy that my boyfriend was sober. I love his sober personality! That’s who I fell in love with, his sober self. He made me amazing ramen noodles for dinner, and I just had an amazing evening with him.
Time for relaxing by watching videos in bed (one of my favorite things to do), snuggled in blankets. And I’m sure dreams will follow suit soon enough!
Take care and let’s see what day number five will bring tomorrow,
That Anonymous Artist
Supplementary Info: Day 4 No Alcohol
Quitting drinking is a significant step towards a healthier lifestyle, and as you reach day four of your alcohol-free journey, you may already be noticing some positive changes. When someone becomes addicted to alcohol, their alcohol consumption can increase over time, leading to heavy drinking or even binge drinking. However, giving up alcohol means you’re cutting off a harmful habit and allowing your body to recover.
The effects of quitting drinking can vary from person to person. Some may experience alcohol withdrawal symptoms, such as shakes, mood swings, or even seizures, especially if they were heavy drinkers before. Although these symptoms can be severe, they typically peak within the first few days and gradually subside. If you’re concerned about severe symptoms, it’s best to seek professional help or treatment to manage the detox process safely.
One of the immediate benefits of abstaining from alcoholic beverages is the clarity of your mind and improved mental health. Many people who quit drinking report feeling a sense of mental clarity and increased focus within a few days. Additionally, you may notice an increase in energy levels, better sleep, and improved skin health. It’s fascinating how the body can recover and repair itself when it’s no longer burdened by the harmful effects of alcohol.
Not only will your physical health improve, but your heart and overall well-being will also benefit from the absence of alcohol in your system. Regular alcohol consumption can lead to an increased risk of heart diseases and other health issues. By choosing sobriety, you’re making a conscious decision to prioritize your health and reduce these risks.
Whether you were a daily drinker or engaged in occasional day drinking, the fact that you’ve managed to go four consecutive alcohol-free days is a remarkable achievement. It’s important to remember that recovery is a journey, and every step counts towards a healthier and happier you.
Although you may still experience occasional cravings or moments where you miss the social aspect of drinking, it’s essential to find healthy alternatives to fill that void. Non-alcoholic drinks, such as nonalcoholic beers, wine, or other beverages, can be a great substitute when you’re in a social setting or simply want to enjoy a refreshing drink. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, as it will help flush out toxins and keep your body and mind hydrated.
Everyone’s experience with quitting drinking is unique, and what works for one person may not work for another. However, based on the evidence and the experiences of many people who quit alcohol, the benefits of sobriety are worth the initial challenges. You’re on the right path, and with each passing day, you’re taking a step closer to a healthier and more fulfilling life. Keep going, and you’ll continue to notice the positive changes that come with embracing an alcohol-free lifestyle.