Accountability Thread?

[Awakening]

My mind is a bit mushy so I hope this makes sense. I'm thinking of creating an accountability thread, where we can set our goals and encourage each other on the road to recovery, call each other on our B.S. if needed etc?

Here are my goals:

Control my alcohol intake (nothing in the short-term)
Take responsibility for my own recovery, not expect others to 'rescue' me
Be honest with my family & health professionals about what is going on for me (no more lies & secrets)
Eat healthy, exercise, get as much sleep as possible
Take time out for me. (I'm a working mum)
Build my sense of self worth
Attend therapy regularly instead of avoiding it
Take my meds every day
Learn to self monitor my level of stress/distress

 

[safenow]

Those are great goals, Awakening.

I'm trying to do the 21 day challenge. I have it set up in my journal/diary to keep track of how I'm doing. I hope others respond to your thread.

I'll check in from time to time to see how you're doing.

What are you going to do to self=monitor your stress levels?

 

[Awakening]

Thanks safenow. The self-monitoring will be tricky. I tend to not know I'm overwhelmed until I have an episode. But even as I type that, it's not entirely true, I do get feelings of being overwhelmed but tend to push through so no one knows what is going on.

Then if I do manage to identify the tension rising within myself I tend to avoid it, not talk about it or ask for help. I'm kind of clueless how to manage it other then drink alcohol.

I'm thinking regular therapy will help with self monitoring but I also need to check in with myself everyday and be honest about how I'm feeling.

 

[littlelostchild]

Hey Awakening, maybe you and I can help keep each other honest in this process. Reading your description is rather similar to mine - except I'm older (my kids are grown and out of the house (which brings its own facets). I have difficulty heading off the anxiety before it takes control. We had to remove the alcohol from the house and I have been overusing Gravol combined with Ativan as a relaxant.

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

Great thread, but, ugh, lots to list... Well, exercise and nutrition -- I'll start there. (And, forgive me, but I'm going to start out slowly.)

1. Full walks for the dog at least 3x a week. (I'll increase that come spring temperatures, highs in the mid 50s F).
2. Yoga stretches 2x a week.
3. Have several veggie dishes premade and ready to go for healthy dinners to get me through Monday through Wednesday. (That doesn't sound like much, but it's more than I've been doing.)

Thanks for posting this thread.

 

[littlelostchild]

I've decided - tell my T this week about the Gravol and Ativan use - it's a start.

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

Littlelostchile: That's a GREAT start. Good luck.

 

[Awakening]

Tonight I menu planned and online shopped for fresh wholesome healthy food. I went to therapy today and my therapist was impressed with my frankness.