Friday 18 March 2016

Time Out

It's time to go home.

I've had the most amazing week, but now I'm ready.

I really miss the children, and my little, scrappy dog. And I'm worried that, after a week holding the fort, my parents will be going crazy.

Plus, there's only so much lounging around on a perfect beach that you can do before it all starts feeling a bit....samey.

I've eaten so much, and moved so little, that I can almost see my thighs expanding. And Mr SM and I have started to run out of things to say to each other.

The wonderful thing about a properly relaxing holiday is that it gives you time to reflect on what's great about your 'real life'. You can go back feeling completely restored, and ready to tackle all the minutiae of daily life again.

If, however, you spend a week alternating drinking and hangovers, you go home feeling drained, miserable and ready to throw in the towel. I know. I've been there.

We need time out. We need to get away from the grind from time to time, and to be able to see everything with a little perspective.

Isn't that why we drink?

That (large) glass of wine at the end of the day gives you a momentary vacation. It transports you to somewhere other. It's a cheap and easy holiday in a goblet.

(Obviously, this trick stops working after a while. It takes more and more wine to have the same effect, then when you come back down to earth it's with a frightful bump. Rather than being restored and ready to tackle life again, you want to escape even more.)

When we quit, we still need that escape. That desire to get away from it all doesn't just vanish, and, if you don't find some other way to do it, it's all too easy to pick up the bottle again.

So DO NOT feel guilty about taking some Time Out. It's crucial.

Think about what you can do that mentally transports you away from wherever you are, just for a while.

For some people it's reading or writing. For others it's yoga, meditation, a relaxing bath. Some love running, painting, colouring, gardening. Or a combination of all of those things.

Think about how much time you spent drinking, and just use a bit of that time doing those things that give you that mental time out. Especially at 'wine o'clock'.

It's not a luxury, it's a necessity.

Love SM x

10 comments:

  1. I agree. Since holidaying sober I am always content to go home feeling refreshed and calm. Great to know no detox needed on return. I no longer get the post holiday blues either.

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  2. For now, Candy Crush is my escape. It's working for now...but my husband thinks I'm nuts, in a good way. But seriously, so true to find an alternative way to spend quality for yourself, rather than hitting the booze. It can be done.

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  3. For now, Candy Crush is my escape. It's working for now...but my husband thinks I'm nuts, in a good way. But seriously, so true to find an alternative way to spend quality for yourself, rather than hitting the booze. It can be done.

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  4. is it just me that loves a puzzle or Sudoku .....

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  5. I swear you are a mind reader SM! I am at 12 weeks and struggling a bit at the moment. Not because I want a drink per se but I want that "zoned out" feeling. Any drug that delivers that would be ideal, not just alcohol :-)
    Perhaps I need a holiday instead then. Running, Yoga, Baths etc aren't cutting it at the moment.
    I will ride it out though. I am not going down that road so travelled...x

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    1. Keep going Scous Mous! The first 100 days are the hardest - after that the mist starts to clear.... You're doing great! Big hugs xxx

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  6. Dear SM,
    I'll be going on a sober holiday soon, and I am looking forward to it!
    No hangovers! Real doing stuff, not just sitting around getting drunk.
    SO much better!
    xo
    Wendy

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  7. Yoga, love music, bubble bath.
    So many ways to enjoy life.

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  8. I'm propped up in my bed reading all of your posts since day 3, trying to gather the courage to quit drinking. I have been reading the posts all day, since 8am. At some point, I decided that I would have some vodka -4:00 PM. I have 3 vodka tonics onboard. I want to stop but I don't want to " go through it" ( bear hunt). Many of the posts talk about how hard it is. I don't have the strength, I think. I've read Allan Carr, Drinking - A Love Story...
    Where to start and why? Help

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    1. Hello kburke! If you keep reading, you'll discover that it gets easier and easier, and amazing things start to happen! It's not easy to begin with, but the hard bit is over fairly soon. And it's really not as hard as living life hungover and hating yourself! You are not alone! You have all of us. And check out www.soberistas.com If you need more help, then go to AA. They have helped millions in a far worse position than any of us!
      You can do it!!! E-mail me if you want to chat more sobermummy@gmail.com x

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