Two Week Challenge

[becstarr]

As requested here is a new thread for those coming off the first 7 days or just wanting to jump in and sober up for a couple of weeks.

Bec x

[Yorkie]

Good morning Thankyou for starting the two week thread Becs - I was beginning to get a bit lost after coming out of the 7 days thread, Its good to have somewhere that tells us exactly where we are in our journey, and this does the job perfectly... can't quite remember whos idea it was - will check later, but thanks to you too...
day 11 today, and I slept like a log last night after my busy weekend - this morning I feel rested, grounded and ready for work... will be back later and intend to catch up on all the posts and will talk later... in the mean time, lots of love to all two weekers, and every one here, stay focused, and keep it in the day, if its tough, stay with it and keep in mind that what ever it is you're feeling, that it will pass and strength will be gained

[Yorkie]

Hi summer... This is like our very own private thread eh? glad you slept well.. doesn't it make a difference to the day ahead... I ve got enough energy now, to get though the day, doing what i need to do and still be in a fit state to relax and appreciate this great new quality of life .... Im still making sure that I don't bomb through the day - then crash... and most days end with a smelly oily bath, with candles... Im starting to really enjoy this in its own moment...
I have an unexpected day off work today, which is lovely, and is giving me the opportunity to catch up properly on all the threads... As planned, I now have my note book and am jotting down where I have been, and little notes about what is happening to others, so I can make sensible replies - and to the right people - The avatars help with putting a "face to the name", still haven't managed to get mine sorted tho... I keep getting a message saying that the file is to big... going to keep on trying today... so watch this space... love for a bright and sober day, Yorks

[moread79]

Hooray!!
Thanks for the 2 week thread!!
I was feeling a little lost after the 7 days, didn't want to keep posting on the 7day thread cause I felt like I was showing off

Day 10 today! It's been a long time since I've taken 10 days straight sober without actually having to do so (be on medication etc) and I'm feeling rather chuffed. Though I do have a sneaky little voice telling me all the time what a horrible drunk I am and reminding me of all the embarassing things I've done and whereas I'd usually drink more to just forget about it (which made no sense whatsoever as I'd just wake up with a fresh new list of horrible/embarassing things I'd done) right now I feel like every day is a bit more disctance between me and the person I definately do NOT want to be...

Yorkie, Summer it's great to see you guys here! Way to go! STB where are you?

Becstarr thank you, thank you for the thread!

[moread79]

p.s. asked somewhere for help/instructions for uploading an avatar but can't remember where so I can't check to see if anyone answered

Yorkie can you help?

[STB]

Hello all - here I am moread!!! Day nine - and still doing well.

I am so grateful for this thread..thank you Bex!! ....have joined the three month thread... but right now three months is such a long time! But I am determined to do it... the two week thread will help SO much though. So so happy that I have managed to do this - and really want to continue...

It means so much that you are all here with me, watching out for me, supporting me... and I am here, supporting and caring for you all...

See you tomorrow - day 10 here I come!! xxx

[Yorkie]

Hi Becs, Summer, Moread, Darcy and Stb, great to be here and even greater to find you all in here too.
day 13, wow I have to keep pinching myself to believe it.. I posted on 7 days in reply to a member who I identified with, and said that "I was on a roundabout and couldn't manage to get off and go down a road... well I did it and am now 13 days down that road, if I was averaging a speed of 4 miles an hour - walking, to my reckoning, that would make me 52 miles away from a drink... hmm, not quite sure where Im going with this, so will stop and gather myself..
I've started with the bizzar dreams, but the sneezing fits seem to have passed. Love and strengh to us all...Yorkie

[Sandy]

Hi All
Only on day 7 today.
Can I join you all tomorrow as a bit "lost" where to go now.
Only know I am not ready to reintroduce (nor do I want to at the minute-and it is minute by minute for me)
You are all doing soooooooooooooooooo well
s

[moread79]

Hello everyone!

Day 11! Yesterday was a bit hard as I really wanted to relax and have a glass of wine but I fought the urge and went to see the new Harry Potter movie instead (yes I'm a big kid )

Darcy many thanks for the instructions! I love all the friendly avatars everyone has and feel a bit drab without one...

STB good to see you! Congratulations on day 9 Big, big hug to everyone else

Sandy welcome!

I have a suggestion for the admins, I think that getting past the first few weeks will be the most difficult (at least for myself and I think others share the feeling). If possible I would suggest breaking the 1st month in 4 seperate threads, and adding a week 3 and 4 challenge. It seems less daunting that way and we can all encourage each other to stick to our goals (I know that it feels good bumping into the same people here, really as if we are cheering each other on). Is this possible at all?

[STB]

Hello darlings - day 10 and still going strong... oh yes I would have loved a glass of wine today as I have five days off now and, by this time, would have been about one and half bottles of wine into a five day bender... as it is it is my son's GCSE results day tomorrow and I am taking him out to London for the day.... and I cannot wait! I am looking forward to five sober days off!!

I have made some plans but not to the point where I will be shattered - I am learning being tired is a massive trigger for drinking for me...

Moread I think a three and four week thread are an excellent idea - I really want to say thank you to all of you... I have gotten this far because of YOU!! Having you here is just the best... I really really could not have done it without you

Will see you all tomorrow and well done darlings - we are going to crack this!! xxxx

[Yorkie]

Evening all its filling up in here and thats great... I've had a bit of a strange day, still feel really positive and full of hope, but something else that I can't quite put my finger on...anyway, Im still doing the things that work, plenty of water, regular food, rest and relaxation, exersise , company and being on here.
Computer about to run out of battery, so will post and say goodnight - Love Yorkie

[Yorkie]

Morning all thanks to you all for being here, I know that I could not have done it without you... this has been my life line and has given my something else physically to do instead of drinking...
Day 14 for me today and the sun is shining. I love the idea of breaking the first month into 4 bits - does anyone know how to set up a thread ... I could go and do it and see you in there on day 15?
I seem to remember someone asking the same question last week ??? love to all for a bright and shiny day, Love Yorks

[moread79]

Hiya everyone, Day 12!

Yes Yorkie, I think summer suggested the idea of the 3,4 weeks in the 7 day forum, Becky if you're hearing us do you think it's possible?

Way to go everyone, a bit more distance between us and the "dark side"!

Big hug to you all

[Sandy]

Hi All
Cant believe it. Day 8!!!
Could not have done this without you guys. Am working over the next few days so posts will be short.
Thinking about you all
We can and will do this!!!!
s

[moread79]

Hello all

Day 13! Darcy thank you so much for setting up the 3 week thread, Yorkie I hope to join you on there soon

To keep myself motivated today, I've made a list with things I hated about myself when I first joined in here 13 days ago and things I like about myself 13 days later. Here goes:

I hated the fact that:
1) I was recovering from yet another massive hangover
2) that I had embarassed and made a complete fool of myself yet again in front of my friends, my boss and complete strangers
3) that I had put myself in danger (once again) while trying drunkenly to find a way home at 4 o'clock in the morning
4) that I had blackouts once again and couldn't remember half the things I had done or said
5) that I remember just enough to know that I hurt my boyfriend who I love more than anything yet again
6) that I had to tell him that
7) that my ulcer has come back
8) that I'd become a hopeless joke to myself and all around me and totally lost my self respect

What I can appreciate and like 13 days later:
1) I'm getting ready for work and don't have to worry about a hangover or people guessing that I'm still a little drunk
2) I've really cut down on the cigarettes - if not completely, one thing at a time
3) I've been eating quite alot but haven't put on weight cause I've cut all the "drinks calories" out
4)I've regained a little of my self-respect. I'm still cringing a little bit but everyday is another day between me and that horrible drunk person I can't stand
5) My boyfriend told me yesterday how proud of me and how happy he was. There was still fear in his eyes as he doesn't believe that I will stay sober - I aim to take that fear away
6) I'm making decisions about my life - sober. I've been stuck in a rut and the same job for 5 years now, it's time for a change and to really figure out what it is I want to do
7)I've decided to take up yoga next week. Now that I'm saving on the alchohol I can actually afford classes
8) Most important so I've saved it for last, I've discovered that I'm not alone in all this. I used to think that it was just me who reacted to alchohol in this specific way, but seeing my behavioral patterns repeated in other people's lives and seeing that they have managed to quit, gives me the encouragement I needed to battle this.

Thank you everyone and all the best vibes possible and strength and encouragement in your own struggles. Big hug and love to all

[STB]

Hello all - sorry I missed yesterday! Had a really busy day - took the dogs for a walk, took my son to get his GCSE results (I went with him! Wasnt too over the limit) he did really well, 2 x As, 3 x Bs, 3 x Cs. I was so proud we both had a good cry and then went out for the day.

We went to the London Aquarium and I loved it! It was amazing and my son (who wants to be a photographer) took lots of photos. Then we went for some nachos and I had water and coffee! After a trip to Trafalgar Square we came home, I cooked dinner and fell asleep at 8pm! It was a TERRIFIC day! The first time I have taken off a few days and actually stayed sober for the first night and the first day AND the second night in... oh such a long long time....

So THANK YOU - all of you for helping me and of course I have to say a special well done and thank you to Moread my twin in sobriety... Day 11 yesterday was successfully completed and now Day 12 is looking brilliant! Not far from completing the two week challenge... and thank you so much for the three week challenge... I am looking forward to it.

Well done all of you and lots of love and understanding from your fellow two weeker STB xxx

[Yorkie]

Hi Moread and all I loved your post... Your "before list echos my life to a T ... and the life after drink is pretty much the same too... my fella's so much more relaxed around me and we are going out for a meal on sunday, something we haven't done for a long long time... I cannot believe that he has stuck around for all this time, and like you, I love him so much - time to show them what we're really made off, and stop hiding our lights...
havn't got much time this morning, am at work soon, so hope to see you in the 3 week thread soon... Love to all Yorkie

[STB]

Hello Yorkie, Darcy and moread! Last post today - at least until this evening! I am off to London to meet a friend and am really looking forward to it - and to not drinking whilst I do just that! You can probably see I have a phoenix by my name as I really feel my life is rising out of the ashes.... and the three of you, well you have been there through it all. I really consider you to be friends as you have held my hand and never judged me these past 12 days... speak to you all later... you are brilliant xxx

[Yorkie]

Greetings from up north - Its been a busy day, Im not long back from work, what a difference it is being able to work with out a hangover, or the constant pressure of drinking thoughts, Im tired tho, and looking forward to an early night, up early tomorrow, am traveling 25 miles to look after my grand daughter for the morning and have to be there for 7.30am - wouldn't have been able to do that a while ago... the 3 week thread is set up now, so Im off for a look in there, I'll come back in here later when I've had a change to catch up on the days postings... love and light, Yorkie

[STB]

Hello sweethearts - well here I am end of day 12! Still nothing to drink - had a slightly odd day and really thought "wow I could murder a glass of wine".... you know that lovely red wine taste... so I went to Waitrose, got myself something really nice for dinner and I bought myself a bottle of Fre - I don't know if you have tried it, it is alcohol free red wine. Cheaper, half the calories and, of course, no alcohol! I just fancied something different and it really got rid for the need for the taste of red wine. However I am only going to make it a special treat - and tonight was one! By the way I do not know if you have come across www.alcoholfree.co.uk ? They do a great range of alcohol free drinks and goodies... worked brilliantly on my birthday, I still felt I was having a treat, whilst not having alcohol... I wish I could have done the same with my mum's death... but back on 12 days now, so look forward!!!! Check out the thread about possible meetings... it is definitely something to work towards.. And by the way, they sell Fre in the same section as all other wines... and I did look along the shelves and think... "how easy would it be" and then I thought... "and how awful... stick to the stuff without alcohol love" and I did. And part of the reason was I thought about coming here and knowing I could share it with you and you would understand. Thank you xxxxxx