If you you have developed a habit of drinking to self sooth you are not alone
Pouring a glass or two of wine at the end of the day is seen as a great way to relax. It is ridiculous to see habitual drinking as self care but most of us have learned to. I remember very clearly pouring that first glass every night after the prior nights black out and the early morning regret. I remember pouring that first glass thinking ” this is my treat… this is my reward… I deserve this”.
It’s no wonder we see alcohol as a panacea. We’ve been told for years that drinking red wine and alcohol in general can do everything from lower our risk of heart disease to help us control our weight. Recent reports revealing that alcohol actually contributes to the development of 7 types of cancer have done little to hinder the marketing of wine and alcohol as “self care”.
We’re taught to drink to care for ourselves.
We need to learn different ways.
If Drinking was your go-to for Self-Care Start Here
Saying no to a triggering invite. Self-care.
Opting out of cooking when you are too tired. Self-care.
Deciding to go to bed before dark. Self-care.
Taking a nap midday. Self-care.
Deciding not to return a call or email that brings stress. Self-care.
Treating yourself to a special dessert. Or flowering plant. Or treat for your dog. Self-care.
When the moments and hours and days of self-care start to build on each other, you start creating a new foundation for your life that has been missing for a very long time. Built of small moments of softness, consideration and pause. It grows stronger over time, so much so that you can begin to turn back to what you’ve started to practice and it becomes something you can rely on.
That something is you.
You need to replace the booze with new ways to nurture your body and soul.
These stories from our Boom Rethink the Drink community members – How Does it FEEL to Go Sober? – will help prepare you for the discomfort of the first weeks sober. To stop drinking you have to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. The good news is that this does not last forever! When you stop relying on alcohol for self care, you will find that you take care of yourself genuinely. You will start to do so in ways that genuinely nourish your body and soul.
Read more from our community on getting comfortable with being uncomfortable in early sobriety
Breathe and Keep Moving – Gaining Momentum in Early Sobriety
Performing Butt Naked – Vulnerability and Surviving Early Sobriety
How Sober Life Became Jubilant for Me
Read more from our community on Genuine Self Care when you go Sober
Walk With Me Into Lasting Change
Learning Self-Care in Early Sobriety