Lazy Summer Days
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| Baseball in Minneapolis! Go Twins!! |
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| Eating out is Fun! |
I have been a poor blogger friend lately!
(Thank you, Anne for spurring me on!)
I have been letting summer take over my brain, and my thinking has slowed down.
If I have the choice of writing a post or playing a computer game…well.
However, I haven't been a complete slug!
I had the honor of meeting a delightful sober blooger, A Rewarding Life, at a cool coffee shop.
We shared our stories of life and sobriety, of loss and of love.
Also, this week, I tried kayaking on one of our lovely city lakes. I know how to canoe, so after a little bit, I felt comfortable. It was a calm, peaceful day. I really loved it.
Summer is a wonderful place to be here in Minnesota, as we know the cold will be coming.
It's a time to have deck nights, go to baseball games, eat at outdoor cafes, bike, and hike.
Sometimes, it just might be naps, or reading a book.
I have been doing this all.
This week I was recounting some of my funny and not-so-funny drinking times to some close friends. We were having drinks on a patio outdoors, wine for them, AF beer for me.
It helps to keep remembering why I am choosing not to drink.
It wasn't a matter of just drinking a little bit too much once in awhile.
As long as I don't think about whether I am happier not drinking, then I am.
As soon as I start to analyze it, I get anxious, and start to wonder.
It really is better for me to just stay in the moment happy.
To just not drink today.
But in the end, I have to ask myself, am I happier in the long run not drinking?
I know I am.
So is my husband.
Sometimes, doing the right thing, doing the hard thing, will lead to a happier life.
With Sunshine on Day 327
HI Wendy,
ReplyDeleteOverthinking and analysis paralysis and comparing all led me back to the one sad and lonely place. It's funny how the good times can lead us to reflect and if we are not mindful we can wander back to that territory every time.
Just like we come to take for granted the lazy heat at the end of summer, cherish the clarity and calm of sober.
Thanks,
bren
Oh I love that! Cherish the clarity and calm!!
Deletexo
Dear Wendy,
ReplyDeleteYou look beautiful and happy. And that makes me happy and enjoy my sobriety through yours. :-)
What an amazingly big arena that is! Wow!
I find it funny how indeed thinking about not drinking causes anxiety while not drinking and not thinking about (not) drinking actually brings peace. Hmmm, not going to think about it ;-)
Have a nice lazy Minnesota summer,
xx, Feeling
Dear Feeling,
DeleteYou said it perfectly!
Thank you!
Minneapolis is a great place to live, work and play!
xo
It"s good to hear you're
ReplyDeleteenjoying the summer, and it must have been exciting to meet a fellow blogger! Day 327 those lovely summer sober days are adding up! xx
Hi Lori!
DeleteIt was super fun!
The days are adding up!
xo
HI Wendy,
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you are having a wonderful summer! I am shivering here in Melbourne, we are having a very cold winter.
You look so happy in your photo. Your happiness is contagious. I want to be as happy as you look in that photo.
I like what Bren said too, 'cherish the clarity and calm of sober'. I must try and do that.
Have a great day.
A xx
Dear Angie,
DeleteI know I really liked that statement!
I'm much happier these days!
I still have moments of depression or feeling down, but not nearly as long or as deep!
xo
hi Wendy
ReplyDeletei am glad you are making the most of your summer, coupled with your sobriety. well done you for being active, and how cool meeting a fellow sober blogger
hugs
Lisa
Hi Lisa!
DeleteIt has been a glorious summer here!
xo
Summer is beautiful here too, in northern Canada. I don't like to think of winter and -40.
ReplyDeleteI am definitely happier not drinking. I am happier today than I have ever been in my life.
I just don't see any down side.
I wa spelling a friend about how I felt in that last year of drinking, how sad and depressed and full of self hatred I felt. And she had NO CLUE.
She told me I seemed so fun, confident and friend,y.
It's funny just how well we can hide things, perhaps even from ourselves.
I love my freedom. Clarity and peace of mind.
Glad to heard from you!
Anne
Anne,
DeleteI didn't realize you live in northern Canda!
Your message is one I need to hear and say over and over!
It is a positive message, and one of hope!
xo
Wendy -
ReplyDeleteYou are so freaking adorable I almost can't stand it! Summer here has been just hot and humid so no one is getting out much. We can't wait for fall here in the Carolinas.
Enjoy!
Sherry
Hi Sherry!
DeleteI bet it's hot there.
My friend in Arizona loves winter there.
I'm only show my cute photos!
Not so cute in the mornings!
xo
Canoeing is so much fun :). glad you're doing well. I'm happy to know you're still staying strong and staying away from the Alchol, well done to you. Only been away for a month and it already looks like you got loads of readers! Looking forward to reading more from you.
ReplyDeleteFrancis
Francis!
DeleteI've been missing you!
So glad you are back!
xo
Hey -
ReplyDeleteI'm in Arizona and I can tell you it's hot here! Although we've had a lot of rain from our summer storms, which helps the desert bloom and brings the heat down a bit.
Once upon a time I used to be a teacher as well so I can understand the stress of it all. I'll bet it took you a year after walking away to really feel like yourself again.
SC
Hi SC!
DeleteYes. It took me a year plus.
I am just now feeling like Wendy.
Summer there sounds very hot!
My friend hibernates in summer there!
Thank you for your comments!
Wendy
ReplyDeleteI love in fort McMurray, Alberta. We have beautiful, long summer days and cold, dark winters.
Some day I would like to live somewhere without snow. At least for a while. I love flip flops.
Me too!
DeleteI've done the snow thing all my life!
Now I love the sunshine!
But not too hot!