I recently had an AHA moment

[bif]

Evenings, especially on weekends are hard for me. I used to drink while cooking dinner and kept on until I went to bed. I've been clean for over a year now. However, there have been times when I'd just say, Screw it. I'm going to go to bed early. Then I had a talk with myself. I said, so you go to bed early so you don't have to think about not drinking. Is this a pity party? Do you think your wife is going to feel sorry for you? And if you go to bed early, what will you accomplish? You'll toss and turn, and eventually fall asleep at your normal time. 11 or 11:30-ish. At least watch a movie or show in bed. So that's what I did yesterday evening when I felt like going to bed at 9. I'm not saying it's been easy. But it does seem to to be getting better. Anyway. thanks for listening to my rambling.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. I like to read before sleeping

Good spy novels, or historical non-fiction. Trouble is I get sleepy, wind up reading slowly, need to backtrack the next time I pick up the book, but I do sleep better when knocking off the internet early and reading for half an hour or so.

[JDC]

2. I started going to the gym at night

After dinner. Helps/ed a lot with idle night time.

[kozar]

3. great for you!!

I havent found my 100% point yet,, but Im trying,,

[MLAA]

4. BIF

Good for you! You keep trying and experimenting to find what can work for you. I admire you looking inward to try and understand your motivations. Self reflection is super hard and only the brave even try!

Keep it up!!

[CaptYossarian]

5. Good for you.

Best of luck too.

[wallyworld2]

6. Here's something else to do

Meeting Guide

A.A. World Services

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.meetingguide&hl=en_US


It's an app for AA meeting in your area.

Gives times, directions and locations of meetings.

[bif]

11. I attend SMART meetings.

Not an AA person.

[crono]

14. what is SMART

im like you, not very big on AA.

[bif]

15. It's a scientific approach to recovery

It stands for Self Management And Recovery Training. There are groups all over the country. It's late, but tomorrow I'll post a link or links for more info. Or you can do a search yourself. I really enjoy the group. I especially like the fact that it's not God and religious based.

[bif]

16. Here...check this out

https://www.smartrecovery.org

And there are a bunch of other alternative programs to AA like Refuge Recovery which is based on Eastern thought. There's one based on ANative American healing, and a ton more

[bif]

17. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions

I've been doing SMART recovery for a year and a half.

[crono]

18. thanks

[calimary]

7. We binge-watch one of several old favorites.

Mostly “Star Trek” series and a little “Babylon 5” - shows we know backwards and forwards. They allow us to be pleasantly bored and in that mode it’s easier to fall asleep.

I haven’t slept well in years. Working the really odd hours of morning drive kinda killed whatever ability I’d had. And then came motherhood, and I just gave up. Would never get a full 8-hours again. By now they’re at or near 30 and haven’t lived with us for years, and I STILL worry!

[handmade34]

8. ...

[Karadeniz]

9. You're a strong man! Congratulations!

[Skittles]

10. outstanding

and don't forget, bif, someone is ALWAYS here on DU - you can ramble on DU anytime

[bif]

12. Thanks all for listening and the supportive words!

[marble falls]

13. We're all ramblers here. Its how we all work out our issues. Keep rambling, we're ...

here to listen and ramble.