Does changing your drinking habit have to be such a struggle?

Can it be as simple as motivational preferences?

Fear vs. reward?

I recently heard it referred to as avoidance vs. approach?

Basically, moving away or moving toward something. Most people who misuse alcohol are moving away from something, such as thinking too much. This is easily a top ten.

I have always referred to it as moving forward vs. being stagnated. Before I started coaching, people would ask me the secret to my five, six, seven years of sobriety, and the only thing I could come up with then was I wanted to move forward.

Moving forward was paramount for my sober success, and it remains true after 18 years.

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES

There was a deep desire in me to see what I could do, who I could become, with intention and no longer being slowed down with hangovers and needing to be available for beer thirty. I was enthralled with the possibilities with my newly discovered clear mind, open heart, and being intentional.

Think about what you have accomplished while surrendering to your nightly ritual of disconnecting with your elixir of choice. Don’t be shy write down every win you’ve experienced in the last ninety days even though you are not operating at full capacity. Because let’s face it, if you’re opting out of consciousness most nights and dragging butt in the mornings and constantly thinking about drinking or not drinking, you’re not operating fully charged.

That’s not to say you’re not run down or wore out. Overdrinking takes a toll on our mind, body, and spirit. Often we become overwhelmed by all the things that get missed, delayed, or forgotten. I remember juggling the thoughts in my head of what I should do, need to do, and make room for the shame and guilt that demand space and time in our psyche.

WASTING ENERGY

But being obsessed with the questions do I have a problem with alcohol, am I an alcoholic, or doing your damnedest to convince yourself that you don’t have a problem is using precious energy you could be directed toward doing some pretty amazing things.

What do you think you could accomplish if you stopped thinking about drinking and got on with your life? What are someday dreams that you hope to manifest?

Please allow yourself the freedom to dream. If we don’t have something that calls us to do better and be better, we end up floundering. We just go through the motions, and that’s painful. Settling is a dull constant pain that is unrelenting. We were born to create, learn, grow, develop, advance until the day we die. Maybe even beyond, but I have no idea. I don’t recall ever having that adventure.

PUT IT IN WRITING

Do yourself a favor and grab a journal or a piece of paper and write: Before I die, I want…

Before I die, I want to see a super moon rise on the ocean; I want to spend Halloween in Salem, Massachusetts, I want to learn drumming, I want to own a respite lodge for women all over the world to have a safe space to pause and play, and reconnect to self, I want to own a sweet cottage on a lake and host friends and family that need a moment to exhale, and be reminded that they are loved.

Oh, my goodness, I’m getting excited just thinking about all of the possibilities and can’t help wondering what I will discover about myself during all of the new experiences. Imagine opening a door that you’ve never been through.

I want to see who I can become with intention and experimentation. This is moving forward, becoming.

When we are not learning and growing, we are dying.

Newton’s first law of motion teaches us that “An object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion….”

Now, get to work. Start compiling your list of possibilities that intrigue and excite you.

A COMPANION FOR YOUR JOURNEY

If you feel stuck like you can’t get out of your own way, you’re not alone. Most of us are so stuck in our own system we can’t find an out. That’s what I’m here for. Schedule a time to chat with me about what you would like different in your life and maybe I can help you get there quicker. Click here!

Does this article resonate with you?

If so, you won’t want to miss all of the exciting news, products, and services Pink Cloud Coaching will be rolling out in the coming months. Keep in touch.

Much love, Teresa

Before you drink, Think P.I.N.K.