Today we have Robyn. She took her last drink on June 30, 2020. With 63 days away from alcohol (at the time of this recording), this is her story of living alcohol free (AF).
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Odette's weekly installment of: Finding Your Better You
The last Monday of the year! "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals" – Zig Ziglar
This journey isn't about arriving, it's about becoming. How much we are willing to put in is what we should celebrate. Your hard work and new habits are what is to be celebrated. No one can take that away from you. What have you noticed about your journey this year? Who did you become this year?
[6:35] Odette introduces Robyn.
Robyn is from Columbia, South Carolina. She lives with her partner and he has two kids they see often. She likes jigsaw puzzles, reading, journaling and meditating. Pre-covid she liked vacations to the mountains.
[9:33] Can you give listeners some background on your story?
Robyn said she started drinking around her senior year of high school. She was shy. When she moved to NC it was a fresh start and to fit in, she drank. It helped her open up and have fun. After some life trials and moving to Columbia she made friends with bartenders and it was still fun drinking. During a relationship with another alcoholic, she noticed her drinking really ramped up. There were lots of times she talked herself out of being an alcoholic. In 2011 Robyn got a DUI. She did quit for a little, but it didn't stick. After her mother passed away was when Robyn actually noticed it was a problem. She dealt with so much during that time. Robyn's getting to her last drink came in ebbs and flows over years. There was a definite mental decline that she noticed.
[26:10] How was your emotional state during these times of drinking and then returning to drinking?
Robyn said she stopped beating herself up. It took a while for that overall to stop, but the more she met people and gained community it's been easier for her to be easier on herself. She's learned there's no point in beating yourself up, it won't help.
[31:06] What do you do when you get a craving?
Robyn said she reaches out. Her partner helps her with the rational side of her thinking. If he's not available, she will reach out to Café RE or her little DTB group.
[32:43] How has this decision affected other relationships?
Robyn said her boss is also in recovery and he's a big supporter of her recovery. Her best friend still drinks but is supportive of her choice.
[35:21] Have you been able to identify any triggers?
Robyn said some of her triggers are good things. If she's having a good day, yard work, outside activities. Her triggers aren't emotional anymore.
[38:06] Do you have a daily routine?
Robyn said journaling. She's journaled most of her life and she's really focused on it during her sobriety. Robyn even noticed that if she takes a break, within a week she's had a drink. Even when she doesn't have anything "great" to say, she writes anyway. She tries to include gratitude and she's begun meditating.
[47:18] Rapid Fire Round
Keep trying, you're making the right decision, keep going. It will eventually be good.
Do some sober travel and meet some Cafe RE members.
Cafe RE, journaling, quit lit and other podcasts, all of them.
All the sparkling water, if it's sparkling and it's water, I want it!
Give it a try you will never know how good it can feel until you give it a chance. And be easy on yourself.
You may have to say adios to booze if...
you wanted to stock up for quarantine and it only lasts you 4 days.
Odette's weekly challenge:
Take a few moments to reflect on today's intro on becoming. Who are you trying to become?
Thank you to each listener!
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