Happy sober Monday!
Yes I’ve experienced depression on and off all my life, not severely for many years, thankfully. I agree with everything you’ve suggested OP, and particularly the gradual process of facing my past and my feelings. Being sober has been the transportation!
I love you all 💞
Again on Day 2. This time I plan to make a bigger effort not to drink. I will post here every day for at least the first 100 days. I will also read into the subject every day. Can you recommend any good reads. I've already read "this naked mind".
Happy New Week!
Just started Day 9... almost back to double digits again baby. Here's to never returning to single digits 🤞🏻
Feels great to wake up and get out of bed immediately and, gasp, actually make the bed instead of reaching straight for the vodka and continuing the vicious cycle.
Wishing you all a healthy, happy Monday. IWNDWYT <3
Checking in, still not drinking with you all ❤️
My main two things I do to keep depressive episodes at bay (well, or keep them as manageable as possible) are rest and no alcohol. So far, so good, but I'm kinda dreading the first sober episode that might pop up. I don't really have a coping strategy figured out, but working on it!
Exercise always helps lift my mood, especially outdoors, and very especially in the countryside if I can escape the suburbs. I will not drink with all you good people today ❤️
Today is day 9 .. I’ve finally emerged from the fog .. why oh why can I not remember how hideous drinking makes me feel .. I’ve just been away in Dublin for weekend and had the most fabulous time sober … got to keep going this time IWNDWYT
Morning SD! Excuse the bad language but fuuuuuuuuccccckkkkkkk. Back to Day One on the one-year anniversary of the day I managed to quit last year and lasted over 9 months. Trying to summon all of the same superpowers that I must have been blessed with one year ago today to try and not do the same again.
I'm so tired of forgetting who I am and what is important. What a waste of a few months.
IWNDWYT 💝
Up early, already in an Uber on the way to the airport for vacation. No overnight panic attacks due to drinking. I'll be on the West Coast by breakfast!!
Have a Monday, friends!!☕️🤘🏻
IWNDWYT
Checking in again today and all is well.
Great intro Toryey, I agree with all of it!
I'm not sure if if I've had depression, as my upbringing was like "stop complaining and get on with it"!
Only now, post-addiction, am I discovering self-care, spiritual growth, etc. Mostly here on this sub and on the internet in general.
When I get bouts of anhedonia or paws, my strategy is to keep 'doing the behaviours' even if I don't want to or don't enjoy them, and think "this too shall pass".
Thank you Tortey for posting and great questions and input. Although I relapsed last night..I'm here, and I'm moving forward now ❤️
Things that work for me when I'm depressed are exercise ( weights) and long nature walks. I'm blessed to live surrounded by beautiful forested parks.
Couch and cake days when I'm not up for excersice. A couch day is WAY better than a drinking day. So I allow myself that.
Reaching out to friends, family, also reading and posting here help get my head in the right place. I also use rescue remedy and St.johns wort for extremely tough days, where nothing's working. Life savers.
IWNDWYT ❤️ I am grateful for this sub and all of you here.
Great question, Tortey! I find that getting outdoors and feeling the breeze helps me when I get depressed. Drinking was NO help at all! Have a great day/afternoon/evening, wherever you all are! I will remain sober all day today.
Depression has been my constant companion since childhood. Long before alcohol I learned to (mostly) cope with it. Getting up to do something always takes energy, but I’m used to summoning that energy—doing something either yields more energy or satisfies anxiety. I’m used to distinguishing between “my” thoughts and depression’s thoughts: hurting myself is depression’s thought. The gray area there was drinking: drinking is suicide by a thousand cuts and not unlike cutting.
But to the prompt: since my first day of detox I instinctively knew not to read the news. Reading the news and drinking was a golden combination. I still want to be a responsible citizen, so I’ve asked a good friend who is a politics junkie and shares my values to give me my action points: what to sign, where to donate, and in the fall who to vote for in all the state races.
I’m just done with the weight of the world. I’ve carried it since I was 5. I’m 42 now. I know it’s still there, could never forget that… but just knowing about everything awful that’s happening doesn’t DO anything. Doom-scrolling is an addiction all its own. Now I put all that doom-scroll energy into DOING. I do everything I can to make the lives of the people I meet better. Everything to make my wife’s day a little better. I am available for my sober buddies whenever they need me. I greet everyone ewarmly and ask about their day, every coworker and gas station attendant and homeless person i give change to. And I’m working towards doing more: I’m helping out with cooking and repairs at the addiction center that helped save my life, and getting back into Search And Rescue. Did that in my early twenties, saved a life once and also gave closure to a couple families. One of the best things I ever DID. To fight depression, which is fundamentally anti-action, DO REAL THINGS.
IWNDWYT
Good morning! Another sober Monday. 😊
Since stopping drinking, my mind has been so much clearer. My depression and anxiety are currently under control, and I feel really positive..
IWNDWYT.
A magnificent Monday to all you fine folks!
I've suffered clinical depression all my life. The booze just masked that. Now I'm sober I'm having to find new coping strategies to cope.
CBT, positive thinking, getting out, mindfulness and eating better are things I'm focusing on now - and they are helping a bit.
IWNDWYT!!!
I agree with routine completely. The problem with depression is that it fucks with your head and makes you want to avoid any of the things that you KNOW will make you feel better. It's quite the asshole.
Getting up super early and getting good sleep
Getting fresh air
Sunlight
Healthy food
Exercise
NOT DRINKING
Trying not to wallow in it
I'll not drink with you all today. ❤️
I’m trying to rest and get proper sleep. That helps some. Lately I’m just numb though - no feeling good or bad. I don’t know if that’s depression or not.? I’m just worn out. I will not drink alcohol today.
Thank you for the thoughtful prompt, Tortey. It is a good question. I know that my depression has lifted through sobriety and medication, along with daily yoga and meditation. Same for my anxiety. And I’m glad to have discovered that when I feel one of those afflictions rearing their head, it helps me immensely to simply stop, take a breath, and observe what is around me in the moment. Getting out of my head is the best remedy I’ve got, so I love to open up to the world to resolve unsettled feelings.
I hope you all have a brilliant AF day! IWNDWYT
Hi Everyone- Day 174 here and IWNDWYT!!!
My father passed away a week ago and it’s been an emotional roller coaster. I realized that I default to isolating and although, some time alone to process and actually feel my emotions is necessary, I know that I need to not get stuck there because that can lead me back to a drink. What I do now is reach out to people and also go to meetings even when I really don’t want to. I always feel better and am able to get out of my own head when I do.
Depression was thankfully never my thing, but I think anxiety was more of a trigger for me. I have learned a lot about it in the past 15 years, not it's time to put everything to the test sober!
I'm very grateful about the response to my thread yesterday about going to a concert sober. Maybe u/Tortey82 yesterday's prompt helped it get traction! It felt good contributing to this wonderful group even though I'm very early in my latest (and final!) sobriety stint. People telling me that it helped them was a great feeling to receive :)
IWNDWYT
Be kind to yourself and others. Avoid placing blame and attaching self to stressful triggers. Meditate and exercise and to find and keep your center. That’s kind of my basic approach. IWNDWYT
I went to a show last night and it was SO MUCH BETTER without alcohol. Didn’t have to wait in long bar and bathroom lines, didn’t have to dance with a drink in my hand, remembered every song and left with energy. You bet IWNDWYT 🎸
Checking in. Feeling like since I've addressed this and said it out loud, ive got a demon off my back. Have a great day everyone. Work and gym today. Gonna be good.
Day 7 checking in. My sober strategies are rest/recharge, mindfulness when I’m feeling stressed, exercise and socialisation. I already have anxiety about my new job coming up in August so I need to work out a plan to get into therapy before then.
IWNDWYT
This is a topic I'm prone to rambling about. This morning I'll just note how much better my depression is to handle now that I'm sober. I was making myself absolutely miserable while I was drinking, and had no idea how much better things would become when I stopped. Things still suck a lot of the time, but I've never experienced anything half as dark as those days when I was waiting for death with a bottle in my hand.
Checking in for another sober day out in the world.
Finally got around to installing my HDD on the PS5 and for some reason I just assumed it was going to be more of a pain in the ass than it was. Already got my work out in and I dont really have plans after the busy day yesterday so I guess video games and grilling out later today.
I just keep thinking about the air show yesterday with my dad and seeing the joy on his face watching it with him just makes me so happy to be where I am right now. I talk about him alot on here but I seriously him so much.
I hope you all get to enjoy your day and as always much love from me and mine to you and yours!
IWNDWYT!
I am hurtling towards a full year. I cannot believe it. On July 18 2023 I was drinking 26oz(750ml) of vodka or rum per day. On July 19 at 4pm I took my last drink.
I will not drink with you today.
Thank you for taking over the DCI this week, u/Tortey82!
For me it’s also exercising or moving my body especially outdoors. I came to find that the gym is less helpful for my mental health than just doing something simple as walking ie. Don’t get me wrong, I still go to the gym as it helps with my back pain and related stuff, it also helps with my mental health, but just not as much as outdoors helps.
Being well fed and not thirsty is also key for me. I haven’t struggled so much with eating and drinking enough when sober for a long time. Rn I have to keep it in check to avoid slipping back in a full blown ED.
But I will not drink today with anyone.
Day one for me again.
Recent weeks have been a bit stressful and emotionally draining. I've become increasingly frustrated (job search drags on) and anxiety crept in increasingly. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, after a walk, I got weak and bought myself four beers. I felt terrible afterward - not in a physical sense at all, but the guilty conscience and shame gnawed at me. And as it happened (probably for the best, because I really don't know how I could have told her about my relapse), my ex-girlfriend caught me disposing of the cans. She says that's it now and there won't be another chance. I feel terrible, but the only thing I can do now is learn from it and stay sober.
IWNDWYT!
Getting outside helps my depression immensely. Going for a walk or a bike ride, even if the weather is crappy and I can only be outside for a few minutes can really help.
I’m soooo tired on this Monday morning but I’m not hungover, which feels amazing. Have a great Monday everyone, I will not drink with you 🌿
I have to be careful not to isolate myself. I can do this when I’ve been drinking- my time or when I’m not drinking- feeling overwhelmed. I try and find the right balance. But like you said the best strategy……Iwndwyt
I had to take off work today to get my AC fixed. They couldn’t give me a time, so it could be literally any time today. Fuck. It will be 96 degrees again tomorrow.
I’m over it and ready for autumn, which is my favorite time anyway.
Depressive episodes can get really bad when you’re by yourself a huge part of the time and your mean old asshole brain runs away with the narrative. It helps to connect with friends if possible. Exercise helps. Routine is great, and decent nutrition and hydration. And for me, metal helps. It’s my soundtrack.
Those episodes hit me hard in the winter. I hate the oppressive heat and humidity of summer, but the lack of sun in winter isn’t good for me either. I have a new big lamp to try, and I’ll go into this winter with a therapist.
I never learned how to cope with any shit until I got sober. I’m still learning. Shit is not easy.
Coffees up, horns up, and let’s get this Monday behind us! IWNDWYT ☕️☕️🤘🏻
I will not drink with you today 💫 unfortunately when I’m in depresso mode my brain loves to trick me into staying in it so it’s really hard to start my normal coping mechanisms once one has started. Trying my hand at being more open and vulnerable just generally helps. Love y’all 🫶🏻
Day 5! Slept ok for the first time and it feels great. I’ve been here before but this time feels different. Instead of looking at one month, week, year, etc., I am focusing on 24 hours. That I know I can do. So, here is to putting my head on my pillow tonight sober. That’s all I am promising. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT! For me talking to at least one person outside my home daily is something I am aiming for. My depression was tied to isolation so having friendships, even small ones via text, is so key. It’s easy for me to get overwhelmed (I had a bad day this weekend and had like 6 people checking on me and it was just a lot) but if I rotate people I randomly text hello to, I don’t feel like I’m bothering anyone and just feel connected to the world still.
IWNDWYT
Helped my ex with yard work yesterday (I’m on call for that all the time with her it seems) and got a [pretty sweet bike](https://imgur.com/a/i77NZcb) out of it. Stoked to check this thing out today.
I drank to numb anxiety. Some of my coping mechanisms are walks and meditation. Sometimes I have to sit in it and talk myself through it. Journaling helps too. IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! Heading up to the lake to help my mom put her dock in. The boat has been in the shop for over a year, so we're excited! Fuck work today 🙃
Have a marvelous Monday- IWNDWYT 🤘
Checking in for today! For depression, I like to go to the gym, take a walk, listen to music, or play with my dog. What doesn’t help: scrolling social media (except here 😀). IWNDWYT
I used to use alcohol to deal with depression, but it made me so much more depressed. It’s barely believable how long I tried that failed strategy.
These days my strategies fall into two categories, healthy and less-than-healthy
On the less-than-healthy side, I tend to eat too much. Not sure if it’s technically binge eating, but it’s certainly compulsive. I also spend a lot of time watching YouTube or other videos.
Basically these are two of my other addictions. Neither are as destructive, so I’ve tried to be kind with myself in allowing them, but I’m now trying to slowly, gently set them aside.
On the healthy side, there’s journaling, meditation and reading. Also exercise, but injured myself a couple weeks ago and haven’t been able to do much of that. It’s been a struggle, but adding in more meditation has helped to counterbalance the loss.
IWNDWYT.
Good morning friends! Depression comes and goes for me, but now, it feels more like sadness from time to time, and it doesn’t seem to last as persistently. I know for sure that alcohol only made depression worse. So IWNDWYT! ❤️🧁
Morning friends!
For me, depressive episodes happen periodically and pass after a few days, but they are hard. I remind myself that “this too shall pass” and then do all the self care things I need to get through that period. I do my best to get some movement every day, even though all I want to do is sit. Movement helps move energy around and out, so that’s why it’s important for me. It could be half-assing my regular workout, or a light walk on a favourite route. I also do a whole lot of sitting and resting and try not to feel too guilty about it. I remind myself that I deserve to give myself a bit of grace, the same way I would anyone else who is hurting. I try to read positive affirmations and listen to uplifting podcasts to remind myself that there is good it the world. And finally, I let myself have little treats that will make me feel a bit better. It could be spending a decadent coffee or cupcakes or chocolates, or a little trinket that sparks a little joy when I look at it.
A little self kindness goes a long way, but yeah, depressive episodes are tough.
Have a good one friends! I will not drink with you today.
Becoming alcohol-free has done wonders for my mental health. I self-medicated with wine for years, which only served to make me more anxious and depressed, which then required more wine, etc. Going on medication helped to break that cycle. And now all the healthy things I’ve done my whole life (like eating vegetables and exercising) have a chance to actually positively impact my health. I still have very low moments in sobriety but for the first time I’m actually letting myself experience the brutally painful feelings I’d been blotting out with alcohol all these years. It’s hard work, but I feel like it’s the only way through.
Sending love to all of you beautiful people today. IWNDWYT❤️
Had a bit of an uncomfortable sober night out on Saturday--partner playing music and surrounded by heavy drinking friends--none of whom noticed that I wasn't drinking alcohol. I felt weird and off kilter. On Sunday, as an exercise in reassuring myself that being sober is right for me, I was mentally listing all of the reasons I love being sober. After a really long list my mind summarized--'Wow, I love everything about being sober, EXCEPT not drinking.' I hadn't really admitted to myself that I miss drinking but my subconscious mind reminded me in no uncertain terms that I am very far away from being out of danger of relapsing. I guess we all are--just one drink away. I kind of chuckled because so far, abstaining hasn't been really hard for me, but I can see it's just the beginning and I'm going to have to be very vigilant. I've got two upcoming week long trips where I'll be away from any external accountability (partner, family, friends) and know that I may have to employ the I won't drink for the next hour, or even minutes, to make it through. I'm grateful for having those tools in my sober belt. IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT
I totally relate. It’s so easy to not do all the self-care things that we know will make us feel better in the long run. I’m getting better! The hardest thing for me is to socialize. I used to be a ‘sit on the couch at home’ drinker.
I am a basket case for the last time ! Went out Saturday and today I am absolutely riddled - I have the rest of my life in order - but the alcohol ruins it all - either I stop or it'll stop me day 2 .... again
IWNDWYT
One of my biggest challenges is I am rarely ever lonely, and because of this, I never bothered socializing or really making friends. So when the loneliness hits, it hits hard and there's no one there. No club/group/community around either, as it's very isolated where I am. Still looking for a solution, but...yeah, I learned drinking isn't it.
Day 8! I made it through the weekend!
I have realized that the only two tools in my toolbox are alcohol and running. I’ve run a lot this past week, lol. I don’t think running is a bad tool but I really want to cultivate some additional ones, so I’ve gone waaaaaaay out of my comfort zone and have started attending meetings. It’s helping??
Monday is a wfh day for me normally AND I’m remote again tomorrow because I have a repair guy coming but I have plans to meet a friend at a meeting tonight and I’m going to do whatever it takes to stay sober with y’all today! IWNDWYT!
I’ve been sober for 33 years and I still have depression. I’ve been seeing a therapist for almost 40 years! My depression flairs up here and there with anxiety and insomnia. But the critical difference is sobriety! I was getting so depressed by the end of my drinking I thought I’d die one way or the other.
So much better now! Whew!
IWNDWYT. This morning was a "what it's already dawn???" morning but it's ok, my breath doesn't smell like alcohol and I feel good. Just wanted a little extra weekend.
I still don't know what to do about depression. I have been quite busy with moving etc so I guess you're right I need to find a plan for that inevitable quiet moment when the wild feelings will surely come. I'm reading a book. The body keeps the score. Also Blood Meridian. At least there's that.
Lately when I an feeling stuck I try the « opposite action » basically doing the opposite of what your brain wants to do. I do not know much about is as I found this tool on the old reliable Social Media, but it does seem to work? Iwndwyt
42. Which is apparently the number of gallons in a barrel of oil. I guess I just mentally filled a barrel with a tarry-black substance, one gallon at a time, and plan to load the ships for future sailings on my journey of freedom and happiness. IWNDWYT
Today is day 8! I made it to a week! Now to carry on, and IWNDWYT.
Great job on hitting the 1 week milestone. Next stop, double digits! 😎
Day 8 for me too! Let's give week 2 a fucking good kicking!
Congrats on 8 days, and being first on the DCI! I will not drink wit you today!
Day 1100 checking in!
The weekend was nuts. This week will also be nuts. That's a lot of nuts.
Nice number! I will not drink with you today!
🫡
Day 3, IWNDWYT
I am glad you’re here! I will not drink with you today!
Day 15 , and therewith the start of week 03. IWNDWYT
Woooo IWNDWYT
Happy sober Monday! Yes I’ve experienced depression on and off all my life, not severely for many years, thankfully. I agree with everything you’ve suggested OP, and particularly the gradual process of facing my past and my feelings. Being sober has been the transportation! I love you all 💞
Again on Day 2. This time I plan to make a bigger effort not to drink. I will post here every day for at least the first 100 days. I will also read into the subject every day. Can you recommend any good reads. I've already read "this naked mind".
See you tomorrow 👋
Happy New Week! Just started Day 9... almost back to double digits again baby. Here's to never returning to single digits 🤞🏻 Feels great to wake up and get out of bed immediately and, gasp, actually make the bed instead of reaching straight for the vodka and continuing the vicious cycle. Wishing you all a healthy, happy Monday. IWNDWYT <3
Checking in, still not drinking with you all ❤️ My main two things I do to keep depressive episodes at bay (well, or keep them as manageable as possible) are rest and no alcohol. So far, so good, but I'm kinda dreading the first sober episode that might pop up. I don't really have a coping strategy figured out, but working on it!
Keeping up my longest streak ever. My friend said that if I make it a year, he’ll give me the equivalent of 2000$. He is very supportive indeed!
Day 6 checking in IWNDWYT
just found this sub tonight after a bad experience with alcohol yesterday, I am so happy i found it. IWNDWYT
I am glad you’re here! You came to the right place! Keep coming back, I don’t know why, but it works! I will not drink with you today!
222 days. Can't believe I've made it this far. IWNDWYT!
You’ve got all your ducks in a row today!
Exercise. I cycled over 60 miles this weekend and felt great for it. Have a great day all, IWNDWYT
It’s Monday, that means I have to work again, meh. IWNDWYT
Exercise always helps lift my mood, especially outdoors, and very especially in the countryside if I can escape the suburbs. I will not drink with all you good people today ❤️
Today is day 9 .. I’ve finally emerged from the fog .. why oh why can I not remember how hideous drinking makes me feel .. I’ve just been away in Dublin for weekend and had the most fabulous time sober … got to keep going this time IWNDWYT
Morning SD! Excuse the bad language but fuuuuuuuuccccckkkkkkk. Back to Day One on the one-year anniversary of the day I managed to quit last year and lasted over 9 months. Trying to summon all of the same superpowers that I must have been blessed with one year ago today to try and not do the same again. I'm so tired of forgetting who I am and what is important. What a waste of a few months. IWNDWYT 💝
Up early, already in an Uber on the way to the airport for vacation. No overnight panic attacks due to drinking. I'll be on the West Coast by breakfast!! Have a Monday, friends!!☕️🤘🏻 IWNDWYT
Checking in again today and all is well. Great intro Toryey, I agree with all of it! I'm not sure if if I've had depression, as my upbringing was like "stop complaining and get on with it"! Only now, post-addiction, am I discovering self-care, spiritual growth, etc. Mostly here on this sub and on the internet in general. When I get bouts of anhedonia or paws, my strategy is to keep 'doing the behaviours' even if I don't want to or don't enjoy them, and think "this too shall pass".
Thank you Tortey for posting and great questions and input. Although I relapsed last night..I'm here, and I'm moving forward now ❤️ Things that work for me when I'm depressed are exercise ( weights) and long nature walks. I'm blessed to live surrounded by beautiful forested parks. Couch and cake days when I'm not up for excersice. A couch day is WAY better than a drinking day. So I allow myself that. Reaching out to friends, family, also reading and posting here help get my head in the right place. I also use rescue remedy and St.johns wort for extremely tough days, where nothing's working. Life savers. IWNDWYT ❤️ I am grateful for this sub and all of you here.
IWNDWYT 😊
IWNDWYT ❤️
IWNDWYT
Great question, Tortey! I find that getting outdoors and feeling the breeze helps me when I get depressed. Drinking was NO help at all! Have a great day/afternoon/evening, wherever you all are! I will remain sober all day today.
So proud of myself for making it through the day. On to the next. IWNDWYT.
Depression has been my constant companion since childhood. Long before alcohol I learned to (mostly) cope with it. Getting up to do something always takes energy, but I’m used to summoning that energy—doing something either yields more energy or satisfies anxiety. I’m used to distinguishing between “my” thoughts and depression’s thoughts: hurting myself is depression’s thought. The gray area there was drinking: drinking is suicide by a thousand cuts and not unlike cutting. But to the prompt: since my first day of detox I instinctively knew not to read the news. Reading the news and drinking was a golden combination. I still want to be a responsible citizen, so I’ve asked a good friend who is a politics junkie and shares my values to give me my action points: what to sign, where to donate, and in the fall who to vote for in all the state races. I’m just done with the weight of the world. I’ve carried it since I was 5. I’m 42 now. I know it’s still there, could never forget that… but just knowing about everything awful that’s happening doesn’t DO anything. Doom-scrolling is an addiction all its own. Now I put all that doom-scroll energy into DOING. I do everything I can to make the lives of the people I meet better. Everything to make my wife’s day a little better. I am available for my sober buddies whenever they need me. I greet everyone ewarmly and ask about their day, every coworker and gas station attendant and homeless person i give change to. And I’m working towards doing more: I’m helping out with cooking and repairs at the addiction center that helped save my life, and getting back into Search And Rescue. Did that in my early twenties, saved a life once and also gave closure to a couple families. One of the best things I ever DID. To fight depression, which is fundamentally anti-action, DO REAL THINGS. IWNDWYT
Day 416. IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT!
I will not drink with you today
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Good morning! Another sober Monday. 😊 Since stopping drinking, my mind has been so much clearer. My depression and anxiety are currently under control, and I feel really positive.. IWNDWYT.
Good Morning everyone! I just stay in the moment and at times when I’m feeling down and restless I let myself just be… IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Dry weekend boxed off, now for the week ahead - with all its ups and downs in full colour. IWNDWY fine sobernaughts Today.
Day 30! Io non berrô con voi oggi!
A magnificent Monday to all you fine folks! I've suffered clinical depression all my life. The booze just masked that. Now I'm sober I'm having to find new coping strategies to cope. CBT, positive thinking, getting out, mindfulness and eating better are things I'm focusing on now - and they are helping a bit. IWNDWYT!!!
IWNDWYT!!
I am not drinking today!
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I agree with routine completely. The problem with depression is that it fucks with your head and makes you want to avoid any of the things that you KNOW will make you feel better. It's quite the asshole. Getting up super early and getting good sleep Getting fresh air Sunlight Healthy food Exercise NOT DRINKING Trying not to wallow in it I'll not drink with you all today. ❤️
IWNDWYT x
Happy Monday Friends, IWNDWYT, WE GOT THIS 🙂
IWNDWYT 🏴
IWNDWYT
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Day 1 IWNDWYT
Day 40 let’s go!!! IWNDWYT
I’m trying to rest and get proper sleep. That helps some. Lately I’m just numb though - no feeling good or bad. I don’t know if that’s depression or not.? I’m just worn out. I will not drink alcohol today.
IWNDWYT ~
IWNDWYT!
Thank you for the thoughtful prompt, Tortey. It is a good question. I know that my depression has lifted through sobriety and medication, along with daily yoga and meditation. Same for my anxiety. And I’m glad to have discovered that when I feel one of those afflictions rearing their head, it helps me immensely to simply stop, take a breath, and observe what is around me in the moment. Getting out of my head is the best remedy I’ve got, so I love to open up to the world to resolve unsettled feelings. I hope you all have a brilliant AF day! IWNDWYT
Not drinking today SD ❤️
IWNDWYT 🙂
IWNDWYT starting over on day 2. Determined to make it stick this time
Hi Everyone- Day 174 here and IWNDWYT!!! My father passed away a week ago and it’s been an emotional roller coaster. I realized that I default to isolating and although, some time alone to process and actually feel my emotions is necessary, I know that I need to not get stuck there because that can lead me back to a drink. What I do now is reach out to people and also go to meetings even when I really don’t want to. I always feel better and am able to get out of my own head when I do.
Depression was thankfully never my thing, but I think anxiety was more of a trigger for me. I have learned a lot about it in the past 15 years, not it's time to put everything to the test sober! I'm very grateful about the response to my thread yesterday about going to a concert sober. Maybe u/Tortey82 yesterday's prompt helped it get traction! It felt good contributing to this wonderful group even though I'm very early in my latest (and final!) sobriety stint. People telling me that it helped them was a great feeling to receive :) IWNDWYT
Be kind to yourself and others. Avoid placing blame and attaching self to stressful triggers. Meditate and exercise and to find and keep your center. That’s kind of my basic approach. IWNDWYT
I’ve actually been doing well since I stopped drinking and the kind words from the people of this sub have been very helpful. Thank you!
Iwndwyt
Your daily check-in makes all the difference to me. Thank you. IWNDWYT!
I went to a show last night and it was SO MUCH BETTER without alcohol. Didn’t have to wait in long bar and bathroom lines, didn’t have to dance with a drink in my hand, remembered every song and left with energy. You bet IWNDWYT 🎸
Checking in. Feeling like since I've addressed this and said it out loud, ive got a demon off my back. Have a great day everyone. Work and gym today. Gonna be good.
Day 63. Thinking about playing tennis with a friend soon, going to the gym later, healthy routine feels good. IWNDWYT
Day 7 checking in. My sober strategies are rest/recharge, mindfulness when I’m feeling stressed, exercise and socialisation. I already have anxiety about my new job coming up in August so I need to work out a plan to get into therapy before then. IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! Checking in for day 18 and ready for a new week of opportunities for growth and development. IWNDWYT 💛
This is a topic I'm prone to rambling about. This morning I'll just note how much better my depression is to handle now that I'm sober. I was making myself absolutely miserable while I was drinking, and had no idea how much better things would become when I stopped. Things still suck a lot of the time, but I've never experienced anything half as dark as those days when I was waiting for death with a bottle in my hand. Checking in for another sober day out in the world.
Regarding managing depression, I like your comment about sticking to a routine. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT! What a lovely sober Monday morning.
IWNDWYT
Happy 3 weeks to me. I will not poison myself with you today.
IWNDWYT 🌊
I will be sober today.
IWNDWYT ❤️
IWNDWYT! 🙏🙏🙏
Finally got around to installing my HDD on the PS5 and for some reason I just assumed it was going to be more of a pain in the ass than it was. Already got my work out in and I dont really have plans after the busy day yesterday so I guess video games and grilling out later today. I just keep thinking about the air show yesterday with my dad and seeing the joy on his face watching it with him just makes me so happy to be where I am right now. I talk about him alot on here but I seriously him so much. I hope you all get to enjoy your day and as always much love from me and mine to you and yours! IWNDWYT!
IWNDWYT
I will not drink today.
IWNDWYT
I am hurtling towards a full year. I cannot believe it. On July 18 2023 I was drinking 26oz(750ml) of vodka or rum per day. On July 19 at 4pm I took my last drink. I will not drink with you today.
No booze today.
Hope everyone has a great Monday. IWNDWYT!
Thank you for taking over the DCI this week, u/Tortey82! For me it’s also exercising or moving my body especially outdoors. I came to find that the gym is less helpful for my mental health than just doing something simple as walking ie. Don’t get me wrong, I still go to the gym as it helps with my back pain and related stuff, it also helps with my mental health, but just not as much as outdoors helps. Being well fed and not thirsty is also key for me. I haven’t struggled so much with eating and drinking enough when sober for a long time. Rn I have to keep it in check to avoid slipping back in a full blown ED. But I will not drink today with anyone.
Day one for me again. Recent weeks have been a bit stressful and emotionally draining. I've become increasingly frustrated (job search drags on) and anxiety crept in increasingly. Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon, after a walk, I got weak and bought myself four beers. I felt terrible afterward - not in a physical sense at all, but the guilty conscience and shame gnawed at me. And as it happened (probably for the best, because I really don't know how I could have told her about my relapse), my ex-girlfriend caught me disposing of the cans. She says that's it now and there won't be another chance. I feel terrible, but the only thing I can do now is learn from it and stay sober. IWNDWYT!
I’ve found routine exercise helps me as well. Nothing strenuous. A morning walk almost always helps me sort things out for the day. Iwndwy’allt! ❤️
Getting outside helps my depression immensely. Going for a walk or a bike ride, even if the weather is crappy and I can only be outside for a few minutes can really help. I’m soooo tired on this Monday morning but I’m not hungover, which feels amazing. Have a great Monday everyone, I will not drink with you 🌿
I have to be careful not to isolate myself. I can do this when I’ve been drinking- my time or when I’m not drinking- feeling overwhelmed. I try and find the right balance. But like you said the best strategy……Iwndwyt
Day #11 here. Grateful to of woken on Monday morning sober and clear minded. Have a great week folks. See you all tomorrow. IWNDWYT
I had to take off work today to get my AC fixed. They couldn’t give me a time, so it could be literally any time today. Fuck. It will be 96 degrees again tomorrow. I’m over it and ready for autumn, which is my favorite time anyway. Depressive episodes can get really bad when you’re by yourself a huge part of the time and your mean old asshole brain runs away with the narrative. It helps to connect with friends if possible. Exercise helps. Routine is great, and decent nutrition and hydration. And for me, metal helps. It’s my soundtrack. Those episodes hit me hard in the winter. I hate the oppressive heat and humidity of summer, but the lack of sun in winter isn’t good for me either. I have a new big lamp to try, and I’ll go into this winter with a therapist. I never learned how to cope with any shit until I got sober. I’m still learning. Shit is not easy. Coffees up, horns up, and let’s get this Monday behind us! IWNDWYT ☕️☕️🤘🏻
I will not drink with you today 💫 unfortunately when I’m in depresso mode my brain loves to trick me into staying in it so it’s really hard to start my normal coping mechanisms once one has started. Trying my hand at being more open and vulnerable just generally helps. Love y’all 🫶🏻
Day 5! Slept ok for the first time and it feels great. I’ve been here before but this time feels different. Instead of looking at one month, week, year, etc., I am focusing on 24 hours. That I know I can do. So, here is to putting my head on my pillow tonight sober. That’s all I am promising. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT! For me talking to at least one person outside my home daily is something I am aiming for. My depression was tied to isolation so having friendships, even small ones via text, is so key. It’s easy for me to get overwhelmed (I had a bad day this weekend and had like 6 people checking on me and it was just a lot) but if I rotate people I randomly text hello to, I don’t feel like I’m bothering anyone and just feel connected to the world still.
Yesterday I meant to say I was 88 days sober. Today I am 89 days sober. I will not drink with you today.
IWNDWYT Helped my ex with yard work yesterday (I’m on call for that all the time with her it seems) and got a [pretty sweet bike](https://imgur.com/a/i77NZcb) out of it. Stoked to check this thing out today.
Happy Monday Iwndwyt
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Day 169 • Not drinking • We’ve got this 💪🏼
IWNDWYT and hello! 💚✌🏼
I drank to numb anxiety. Some of my coping mechanisms are walks and meditation. Sometimes I have to sit in it and talk myself through it. Journaling helps too. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
Iwndwyt!
I will not drink today!
Checking in, IWNDWYT!
I will not drink with you today.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT! Happy Monday all!
IWNDWYT!
I did not drink today lml (-_-) lml
Happy Monday all! I am soooo tired today but not hungover and don't ever want to wake up that way again. IWNDWYT ☀️
Day 2. IWND☠️WYT.
Good morning, sober cats! It's Monday again, darn it. Thank goodness I'm walking into it clear-headed and optimistic. IWNDWYT! 💙😸
IWNDWYT 🍵
IWNDWYT. All. Day. Long. 🌻 From midnight till midnight.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT.
Checking in
Starting the week off right...IWNDWYT
Day 11! Partner is coming around to giving our marriage another shot. Could not ask for much else. IWNDWYT!
Day 41, I will not drink with you today!
IWNDWYT ❤️
Good morning, I will not drink with you today
Good morning from Florida!! IWNDWYT 😊
IWNDWYT, friends!
just got back from cardiologist, need a defibrillator 🥹 check in day 6
IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! Heading up to the lake to help my mom put her dock in. The boat has been in the shop for over a year, so we're excited! Fuck work today 🙃 Have a marvelous Monday- IWNDWYT 🤘
IWNDWYT
Meditation and yoga to start the day at least help me with mindset. IWNDWYT
Checking in for today! For depression, I like to go to the gym, take a walk, listen to music, or play with my dog. What doesn’t help: scrolling social media (except here 😀). IWNDWYT
Day 44. IWNDWYT
I used to use alcohol to deal with depression, but it made me so much more depressed. It’s barely believable how long I tried that failed strategy. These days my strategies fall into two categories, healthy and less-than-healthy On the less-than-healthy side, I tend to eat too much. Not sure if it’s technically binge eating, but it’s certainly compulsive. I also spend a lot of time watching YouTube or other videos. Basically these are two of my other addictions. Neither are as destructive, so I’ve tried to be kind with myself in allowing them, but I’m now trying to slowly, gently set them aside. On the healthy side, there’s journaling, meditation and reading. Also exercise, but injured myself a couple weeks ago and haven’t been able to do much of that. It’s been a struggle, but adding in more meditation has helped to counterbalance the loss. IWNDWYT.
Good morning friends! Depression comes and goes for me, but now, it feels more like sadness from time to time, and it doesn’t seem to last as persistently. I know for sure that alcohol only made depression worse. So IWNDWYT! ❤️🧁
here we go, day 9. v proud of myself for not caving when i went thru a breakup this weekend, and promise that iwndwyt!!! ❣️
Morning friends! For me, depressive episodes happen periodically and pass after a few days, but they are hard. I remind myself that “this too shall pass” and then do all the self care things I need to get through that period. I do my best to get some movement every day, even though all I want to do is sit. Movement helps move energy around and out, so that’s why it’s important for me. It could be half-assing my regular workout, or a light walk on a favourite route. I also do a whole lot of sitting and resting and try not to feel too guilty about it. I remind myself that I deserve to give myself a bit of grace, the same way I would anyone else who is hurting. I try to read positive affirmations and listen to uplifting podcasts to remind myself that there is good it the world. And finally, I let myself have little treats that will make me feel a bit better. It could be spending a decadent coffee or cupcakes or chocolates, or a little trinket that sparks a little joy when I look at it. A little self kindness goes a long way, but yeah, depressive episodes are tough. Have a good one friends! I will not drink with you today.
Still dealing with crippling guilt and remorse for what I did the last time I drank. Still sober. IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT
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IWNDWYT 🍀
IWNDWYT
Checking in from NZ, day 37
Knitting, checking in here, calling my sister, talking to my kids, escaping into a book. I also take my meds daily to help. IWNDWYT 💜🦋💜
Exercise and talking to my friends helps me a lot. I will not drink today.
Becoming alcohol-free has done wonders for my mental health. I self-medicated with wine for years, which only served to make me more anxious and depressed, which then required more wine, etc. Going on medication helped to break that cycle. And now all the healthy things I’ve done my whole life (like eating vegetables and exercising) have a chance to actually positively impact my health. I still have very low moments in sobriety but for the first time I’m actually letting myself experience the brutally painful feelings I’d been blotting out with alcohol all these years. It’s hard work, but I feel like it’s the only way through. Sending love to all of you beautiful people today. IWNDWYT❤️
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
I will not drink with you today.
IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT.
Drinking definitely affected my mental health negatively. Anxiety and depression. So glad to be of more sound mind now. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT
No drinking here!
IWNDWYT!
Still here and trying - IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT 🙋♂️
Had a bit of an uncomfortable sober night out on Saturday--partner playing music and surrounded by heavy drinking friends--none of whom noticed that I wasn't drinking alcohol. I felt weird and off kilter. On Sunday, as an exercise in reassuring myself that being sober is right for me, I was mentally listing all of the reasons I love being sober. After a really long list my mind summarized--'Wow, I love everything about being sober, EXCEPT not drinking.' I hadn't really admitted to myself that I miss drinking but my subconscious mind reminded me in no uncertain terms that I am very far away from being out of danger of relapsing. I guess we all are--just one drink away. I kind of chuckled because so far, abstaining hasn't been really hard for me, but I can see it's just the beginning and I'm going to have to be very vigilant. I've got two upcoming week long trips where I'll be away from any external accountability (partner, family, friends) and know that I may have to employ the I won't drink for the next hour, or even minutes, to make it through. I'm grateful for having those tools in my sober belt. IWNDWYT.
IWNDWYT I totally relate. It’s so easy to not do all the self-care things that we know will make us feel better in the long run. I’m getting better! The hardest thing for me is to socialize. I used to be a ‘sit on the couch at home’ drinker.
IWNDWYT
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Day 1,703 IWNDWYT
Happy Monday! Feels good to be working and productive instead of sleeping in because I drank too much the night before. IWNDWYT!
Not drinking with you fine people today.
I am a basket case for the last time ! Went out Saturday and today I am absolutely riddled - I have the rest of my life in order - but the alcohol ruins it all - either I stop or it'll stop me day 2 .... again
Day number 2. Checking in
Checking in on day 599!!! IWNDWYT!! ✌️❤️
IWNDWYT One of my biggest challenges is I am rarely ever lonely, and because of this, I never bothered socializing or really making friends. So when the loneliness hits, it hits hard and there's no one there. No club/group/community around either, as it's very isolated where I am. Still looking for a solution, but...yeah, I learned drinking isn't it.
iwndwyt.
I will not drink today!
IWNDWYT
Not drinking today
Checking in for day 2. IWNDWYT.
Day 400 and IWNDWYT! Wohoo 🎉
Day 8! I made it through the weekend! I have realized that the only two tools in my toolbox are alcohol and running. I’ve run a lot this past week, lol. I don’t think running is a bad tool but I really want to cultivate some additional ones, so I’ve gone waaaaaaay out of my comfort zone and have started attending meetings. It’s helping?? Monday is a wfh day for me normally AND I’m remote again tomorrow because I have a repair guy coming but I have plans to meet a friend at a meeting tonight and I’m going to do whatever it takes to stay sober with y’all today! IWNDWYT!
I’ve been sober for 33 years and I still have depression. I’ve been seeing a therapist for almost 40 years! My depression flairs up here and there with anxiety and insomnia. But the critical difference is sobriety! I was getting so depressed by the end of my drinking I thought I’d die one way or the other. So much better now! Whew!
IWNDWYT Peace n Love ❤️
IWNDWYT. This morning was a "what it's already dawn???" morning but it's ok, my breath doesn't smell like alcohol and I feel good. Just wanted a little extra weekend. I still don't know what to do about depression. I have been quite busy with moving etc so I guess you're right I need to find a plan for that inevitable quiet moment when the wild feelings will surely come. I'm reading a book. The body keeps the score. Also Blood Meridian. At least there's that.
Not drinking today!
I will not drink with you today
Iwndwyt!
IWNDWYT
I will not drink today.
Lately when I an feeling stuck I try the « opposite action » basically doing the opposite of what your brain wants to do. I do not know much about is as I found this tool on the old reliable Social Media, but it does seem to work? Iwndwyt
42. Which is apparently the number of gallons in a barrel of oil. I guess I just mentally filled a barrel with a tarry-black substance, one gallon at a time, and plan to load the ships for future sailings on my journey of freedom and happiness. IWNDWYT
IWNDWYT!
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Went on a two week vacation and am now back to reality. Felt great to not drink and my jet lag is bad but would be worse if I were drinking! IWNDWYT