KC (day 98): “The crux of the matter is: I’m almost at Day 100 and a little freaked out about it. I know I’m not going to rush out and drink — in fact, I have no plans to ever drink again. And yet, even typing the word ‘ever’ gave me a chill just now. I love the structure of 100 days and knowing where I am within it. I can’t calibrate myself the same way within ‘forever.’ And ‘one day at a time’ is too much decision-making. What’s a structure-loving girl to do, dear Belle, when she’s nearing the end of the safety net? Wondering if you might have any tips for me from your own experience or that of other Team 100 alums. (Maybe we need a Team 365?!)”
Dear KC.Ā Here’s my answer. How about a Team 180 š you know, like a play on words for ‘doing a 180’ – turning your life around š let me know if you’d like to sign up. i can make up a pledge, like the one for team 100, that includes “not drinking if i need surgery, not drinking if my husband drinks, and not drinking if there is a zombie apocalypse.”
also from my inbox:
Hana (day 9):Ā “I’ve still got a number of good friends for whom alcohol is deeply embedded into their core lifestyle. Spending time with them I’m struck by how boring it is to hang out with them because sobriety gives me all this energy to make life fun and drama free. Inebriation really provides a false sense of ‘wow, isn’t this fun and important’ but really we are just sitting around talking and it’s kind of boring how worked up and silly you are. It’s not all that interesting, it’s actually kind of stupid and lame. I’m sure you relate and I’m so glad to say that these days it’s only the idea of drinking that sounds good, and the reality is quite different.”
Carol (43): “This is my second time sober, I went for 2 years then had BIG family, health problems and slowly fell back into drinking for the next 2 years. Now I know for sure that if I take one drink it may be YEARS before I can stop. … I will turn 60 in February and I decided I’d rather be dead than to turn 60 a drunk.”
Team 100 Update:
266 members, welcome to Jan (21), Ali Cat (13), Becky Boo (8), Carol (43), Steve (7), Maureen (21), Helen (5), Reading Creature (5), and Verity (6). Happy days to: runningfromthebooze (103), Tiffany (101), Ingrid (99!), Sarita (99!).Ā Tammy and Shel are on day 180 today. Pam (50), Kay & Yoga not booze (20).Ā carrie is on day 201!
I’m in š I struggled immediately with post 100 kind of going ‘what now?’ then I decided to sit on my drinking thoughts for a bit, just delay them, and suddenly it’s Day 150 tomorrow! Whoah. It’s really true the days just start to fly post 100. I can’t believe it’s 50 days later just like that. I’ve been busy turning my life around I guess.. š
Carrie and I have talked a fair bit about one year and I feel quietly committed to that but some days it still feels daunting. Now that I’m almost at five months though, six months (180) definitely feels doable and there will be some extra special sober dancing and treating of self when I get there.
Bring it people.
Lilly x
I have been nervous about “what next” ever since day 10 (I’m on 68 right now.) I’m glad there’s a Team 180 and I am also planning to schedule a phone conference with Belle before I hit day 100 so I have a plan in place. I know enough about myself and my history that if I take a drink again, it may be years before I quit again. So I am willing to do whatever it takes to keep that from happening.
I would love to be on Team 180! I too liked the structure of having a goal other than “I will never drink again,” which feels scary! I hit 100 days on August 20 and with the coming of fall and the dark and the rain I think I need a new goal. Thanks for this.
–Leah
Day 111 for me and I’m in on the 180 challenge! It’s a breeze with companions like all of you!
I am almost half way there…to 100 that is. and the time is really going by fast.
I don’t drink anymore is my new saying.
bizi
“I’m not drinking these days” is my current saying : )
It has been far too long since I came over for a “hello. The group is huge. wow. I want to be part of the 180 days. Can I be? Maybe I need to find a 180 goal and work on that during this time. Does that count? I love watching you all together and seeing the TEAM all over the sober blogs. Lots of love, Lisa
Yeah–this “team” thing and Belle kind of rock–huh? Kind of like some other people I know š
Yay! I’m the 98-Dayer quoted above and I’m thrilled to be a charter member of Team 180. I had been reserving a zombie apocalypse as the ONE excuse to drink, but if you insist, Belle… š
Kristi
Yeah Kristi–right behind you–love a new challenge.
180. Wow, that would (will!) be great. Only on day 10… Wait for me, won’t you!!!
I think that’s a great challenge–180 is SO close to 100, it’s sort of scary (as in, time starts to really fly after a certain point after 100). I’m past 180 and sort of waffling. I don’t want to drink, but it’s not 100 100%. I don’t want to say a year, though… For now, I’m neither counting nor drinking. How’s THAT for “my how things change?” Just a few months ago, all I could think about was my 180 days. Well, it’s just a testament to how things change. The longer I’m sober, the longer the main thought in my mind is: what’s going to happen if I just keep moving forward?
DDG you’re doing it exactly how I did it! I’m not kidding. I got to 100 days then thought, ok 6 months. then once I got to six months I just sort of waited. and then once I was at 8.5 months I could see a year within reach, and then I just coasted to a year. momentum and fear of regret and just being generally pleased with life was enough for me. enough for me to want to see what happens next …
LOVE the 180 day challenge!!! Sign me up!
You’re the best Belle!!!!
I was hoping for a new challenge, I need to be held accountable by my cyber sober comrades. I’m more than half way to 100 so I have a little while before I sign up but I’m already looking forward to it. And one of those qualifications fits my life, let’s see, what could it be…
STILL laughing re pengle
Team 180–scary thought–which it shouldn’t be–which probably means I should add it to the toolbox–so Belle–do you a have a new pledge for us?
Sure, how about this: “I’ve done 100 days sober, and I know my life is better. It’s not always easy, but I am moving in the right direction. I’d like to continue going in that direction. And Iād like to see what happens next. I will not drink for 180 days … not even if my husband/partner/daughter drinks, not if I need surgery, nor if there is a zombie apocalypse. No matter what. Because I want to see what happens next.”
Wow–you are too quick this morning–alright–in.
I’m still playing pengle …
I like the analogy of doing the 180 and turning your life around! Great idea for this newest team Belle! I’m just a quarter of the way to my 100, but it’s something to look forward to joining!