Lessons From Week One Of Sobriety. Idiot.

Well, week one of not drinking is over with. Am I a new man? Hardly. But, there are a few things that this week of excruciating sobriety has taught me.

#1. Stress is my trigger. Which I pretty much already knew. But to sit back and watch it from a “not giving in” kind of perspective is, to say the least, eye opening. I mean, I already know about my anxiety and other issues related to being uncomfortable socially… but when you always give in, you know that you have a way (an unhealthy way) to cope.

But now, not allowing myself to reach for that coping mechanism has shown me that I’m, pretty much, an idiot… well, ok, kind of. In reality, it’s made me have to deal with this stress and anxiety in other ways. Like imagining people naked. Wait. No. That’s only for when I’m publicly speaking, right? I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out.

#2. Restaurants need more drinks that are healthy for you. I’m tired of water, I’m getting tired of tea, and I don’t drink pop (we call it pop ‘round these parts).

So what options are out there? If I’m trying to stay away from something that is unhealthy for me, then I sure as shit don’t want to drink something that is loaded with sugar, or carbs, or calories, or whatever else that makes my teeth rot and pants too small. What do sober people drink?????

#3. This is hard, but do-able. Obviously, this is difficult. While I’m not the type to get shitfaced every time I have a drink, I am the type that likes to drink a couple of drinks with anything that I do. (Except working out. Alcohol and workouts are a horrible mix. Just… trust me.)

So, yes, this is bullshit. I don’t enjoy it. And I want to quit.

But, I’m not going to. Because that is exactly why I’m doing this… to prove that I can, to be faced with a challenge and overcome it.

Oh, and to fit into last year’s jeans.