Five hundred consecutive days without alcohol. Who does that?! Pretty cool.
No urges here. But somehow I do feel like I’m still in an adjustment phase. Trying to figure out how to smooth over some of the things that put me on edge, like invitations to parties, feelings of annoyance with those closest to me when they drink, worries about the future, etc.
But I’m gradually facing up to the fact that everything in life is impermanent, the good stuff and the bad. My kids are growing up. The husband and I are aging. And I no longer drink alcohol. Change is inevitable and to struggle against it is a waste of energy. There is no going back.
I read somewhere recently that a group of centenarians were asked to share which decade of their life they would go back to if they could, and across the board they replied their sixties. Because that was the time when they finally felt like they had everything figured out and could really enjoy life as it is, and their bodies still allowed them to be comfortably active. I found that both surprising and a little exciting to hear.
I guess that means the best is yet to come. ☺️
Hope you all are well…
jen
oh wowowowowowowowowow! there you are forging the path for those of us behind you! so happy to see this huge milestone for you!!!!!
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You have been doing a much better job forging the path lately. Your posts have helped me a lot. ☺️
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Tag Team 🙂 For some reason at the moment I have a lot to say.. .. so there may be some arid wastelands of ideas ahead LOL
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Who does that, indeed?! I am in awe of us. I think we can add the 50s to the kick ass decades — since those centenarians lived their lives before the 50s became the new 60s. (Wait, is that right? I may have it backwards. Let’s just say the 60s seep into both one’s 50s AND 70s.) So glad you’re feeling relatively peaceful with no drinking and yes impermanence.
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Congratulations on 500 days that’s a big milestone!
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Thank you!
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I am so over-the-moon happy for you, jen! Congratulations on 500 days!!
I love this post! It feels like a study in equanimity. You sound like you’re settling and growing into a sense of peace with what IS, including just living in the present moment even if it still feels a bit like an “adjustment phase,” and knowing deep down that “everything in life is impermanent.” I guess we can fight against it or choose to flow with it the best we can, right? 🙂
I agree that there is no going back. I find the further I travel in my life’s journey without alcohol, the deeper my sense of gratitude that it is no longer a part of my life. Yes, some things still feel edgy, but the sharpness of the anxiety I felt in the early weeks and months has passed. I am loving my 50’s sober and looking forward to an even healthier decade in my 60’s, in great part because of my decision to quit.
With hugs and Huge congrat’s,
Deb
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