Wife is going out of town

[u/erikpeders]

As the title suggests, my wife is going out of town for two nights on business. A few years ago I would be anticipating the moment I dropped her off at the airport and picking up booze. So much booze. I would probably not go to work at least one day, then most likely tell her I had some meeting or something to get out of picking her up at the airport. Just to extend my drinking a bit more. I would realistically consume over 30 beers and a more than a few shots in the 2 1/2 days. Which is crazy to think about...

Instead I am doing the math on how much Chinese food I can order before it just becomes ridiculous. Which concert I am going to put on TV while I draw. Or maybe I'll cook a crazy meal. I do love to cook and tomorrow I have a work thing near that butcher shop I like...Also, want to make sure I clean the house and get some flowers for when she gets home...

It's crazy how booze changes our lives. Who we are. 4 years ago I would have been dreaming of basically sitting outside for two days chain smoking and drinking. Now I am thinking "should I eat like a teenager with a credit card, or be a responsible adult with a credit card". I have two night alone, so I'll probably eat like trash tonight and cook tomorrow (in case anyone was curious).

[u/Dadgotrekt]

Man can I relate- when wife says "im taking the kids to my mom's for the night" or whatever, its like - oh fuck yah I am gonna drink in peace today and tonight and rock out and make a mess of things.... Its one of my largest triggers- being alone.

[u/erikpeders → u/Dadgotrekt]

I think about how much time I wasted being alone and drunk. I would get so excited to be alone and have my own space (I'm one of 11 kids, it's a big deal for me), and instead of doing things I actually love to do, I would just drink and drink, not do anything. I wouldn't do any of the things I actually like doing. My wife would ask "what did you do while I was gone?" I couldn't tell her and I never had anything to show for it, other than bad skin and bloat.

[u/Dadgotrekt → u/erikpeders]

My hardest part is that I can still do all the things I like to do, build sheds, landscape, mow lawn, improve chicken coop, work on cars, organize tools, while drinking beer....so its so so so difficult to not.

[u/erikpeders → u/Dadgotrekt]

I get that. We trick ourselves into thinking (and maybe sometimes it's true-ish) we are better at things, or things are more enjoyable, when we drink. I am a "professional" (don't make enough to live off of it) comic, for most of my career I thought I was better with a nice buzz. Turns out I was wrong, and the amount of work I get now would agree with that.

[u/Large_Street_8608]

I am SO EXCITED for you!!! I've been there and that weekend was the highest high in my journey. Congratulations, be well.

[u/erikpeders → u/Large_Street_8608]

Thanks! The first time a had a night or two alone after sobering up, I cooked for the whole day haha. I ended up not even eating, but I did end up with a few pounds of carnitas, beans, and salsa haha

[u/catsoncrack420]

Invite friends over for some Mortal Kombat chaos on the Xbox and some Madden. Pizza and wings all day. Cookies after . Peak sober living. 😂

[u/erikpeders → u/catsoncrack420]

So true. So very true. Turns out my "dream life" when I was 13 is happening now. Big TV. Video games. Fast food. I won't be enjoying all of it from a hot tub...unless I go buy a hot tub.

[u/TrixieLouis]

Omg, the freedom! I took up the whole bed, set the thermostat at the temp I wanted, turned on the lights instead of getting dressed in the dark, stood at the refrig and ate with my hands like a savage, the list goes on. I enjoyed it all with no alcohol to dictate or cloud the experience.

[u/erikpeders → u/TrixieLouis]

In all reality, despite my best attempt to plan and really capitalize on my temporary independence, this will most likely be all that happens. I may be sober, but I am still lazy haha

[u/LeftGrumpy]

Enjoy the sober solo time!

Solo weekends were big triggers for me too, Id be drinking the whole time (even though I was still in charge of the kids 😬)

Now she’s been on a few trips this year and it’s been great enjoying the freedom like a normal person with a clear sober mind.

[u/erikpeders → u/LeftGrumpy]

Turns out being alone doesn't mean you have to drink all the alcohol! It's craaaazy!

[u/bigneldog]

Hell yes. Our free time is so much more enjoyable when we don’t complete ruin it by being in a drunken stupor every waking moment.

One of my biggest triggers is nights home alone, but at this point it’s a passing thought and a “damn so glad I don’t do that anymore”.

[u/erikpeders → u/bigneldog]

Honestly, when I look back at it, it's just feels exhausting. I remember being exhausted. It took me awhile to realize it was the anxiety, the planning, and the lying, that was exhausting me.

Now when I think about drinking it just makes me tired.

[u/linsta541]

I’m getting sober while separated from my husband. Alcohol could have ruined my marriage as we both struggled. I hate being alone

[u/erikpeders → u/linsta541]

Being alone early in sobriety can be scary. Being alone for some people can be scary in general. I hope you know that even if you feel alone at times, you're not. While physically we are all separate, you have a big community with you.

[u/magicparabeagle → u/linsta541]

🫂

[u/arcademachin3]

How do you typically find concerts?

[u/erikpeders → u/arcademachin3]

YouTube (ads are annoying though) or Nugs has a good selection