Stressed out from all that is going on in this holiday season?
Lots of parties. Lots of drinking. High level of noise and intense interactions. I am out of my routine of recovery. All things that caused me to take myself down a notch with alcohol in the past. I don’t have the option of drinking anymore as a solution.
What do I do now?
I pray silently and give it to God in the moment, "Give me peace, God. Center me and help me to show up without alcohol in me. Help me to stay in your light. Help me to shine light into the darkness of the pain I might be watching, that is masked with alcohol and drugs in those around me."
Then, if it gets to be too much, I take a break. Go outside. Remove myself for a minute or two. Breathe. Calm. Then head back in. If I continue to feel highly stressed by crazy behavior, I politely leave and take myself out of the mix. It’s ok to do that. They won’t remember anyway, right?
These are all healthy behaviors to keep myself safe from joining into the crazy behaviors that escalate with the amount of alcohol and drugs being consumed around me.
Prayer works for me. Try it.
My sponsor calls this, “The comin’ in season” from now until after the first of the year. People often having their last bad drinking and using cycles before their bottom. It’s hard to watch.
Take care of yourself. Especially if you are newly sober. It’s ok to protect yourself. It’s not selfish—self-care is not selfish. Your sobriety is sacred. Protect it.
Show up.
Try praying—
More than once.
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
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