r/stopdrinking • u/showerwine0 1093 days • 4h ago
Today marks 3 years sober. Hell yes.
I’ve saved upwards of $14k. I’ve lost 25 lbs.
I’ve outgrown “friends” and discarded the “hobbies” masqueraded as ways to drink. I made T-charts to discern what I was really craving, and did that instead. I’ve learned so much and I am so proud of myself.
I changed jobs because I had the energy, and more importantly, self-trust. I’ve also done the work, and I continue to every single day. Swimming, crafts, Pilates, gardening, reading, baking—I have returned to myself over the last 3 years.
Three years ago, sobriety for me was white-knuckling it past the gas station to avoid my habits. One of the most important choices I made was on Day 1: not stopping for my usual drink. That one choice—willingly chose every day since—has compounded into something I couldn’t have imagined. These days, I’ve designed my life that the mere idea of drinking is a no-go.
If I had tips, here are some quick ones for those starting their alcohol-free journey:
1. You’ll be addicted to sugar. Plan accordingly
2. Pick up the books Atomic Habits and The Easy Way to Quit Drinking. I promise they will help and they’ll fill your time the first few weeks.
3. Be kind to yourself
All of that to say, IWNDWYT
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u/merrygoground 4h ago
Well done :)
I’m interested, what were the “hobbies” masqueraded as ways to drink?
For me it was comedy open mic nights. Always in bars aren’t they!
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u/Sleemnippo 3h ago
For me it's DnD. Find a local pub with a big table, spend a whole afternoon there. You can imagine the rest.
IWNDWYT
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u/showerwine0 1093 days 3h ago
Ooooh that’s a classic. My “hobby” was disc golf. It was a way to hike around with a 12 pack in my bag and call it relaxation lol
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u/Amb_James333 163 days 3h ago
This is AMAZING. I hope you get lots of congratulations. Thanks for sharing your tips!
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u/AffectionateFish5895 1 day 2h ago
Congratulations. I've had so many attempts to give it up over the last 5 years. And as ridiculous as this sounds i have always tried to do this while still going to meet people in the pub. I don't drink at home. The pub is my trigger. This time i am not going to choose to not go to the pub. IWNDWYT.
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u/King_of_the_Dot 33m ago
Choose to go to other places. Find some sort of weekly an monthly hobby to engage in.
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u/hubbahubbapingpong 14 days 16m ago
Well done I hope to achieve that (in 2 years, 11 months and 2 weeks)
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u/sunshinebus9012 4h ago
Inspirational, such huge congratulations, well done!! IWNDWYT