I'm not overly fond of Day 1's, I had way too many of them, and I don't remember any of them as being enjoyable. All I remember is feeling defeated, ashamed, hopeless, lost, powerless-need I go on?
Oh maybe way back somewhere, I saw my Day 1 as a show of strength and full of promise, but that was before I knew how strong the pull of booze is, how many times it would defeat me.
Sometimes, many times in fact, I think the term, "Day 1" should be stricken from the vocabulary of us that are in recovery. Regardless of what "Day 1" proclaims, we never go back to the beginning, we don't erase every step we've taken or every lesson we've learned. I would much rather hear someone proclaim, "I stepped back on the path today" or "I'm back on my way to where I'm supposed to go."
But the use of "Day 1" perseveres. And you know what, may be it should. All of us that are not drinking today, even if we didn't drink yesterday, even if we didn't drink last year, are on "Day 1" again all over again. We join every person who is making the decision not to drink today, whether it be the first time they've made this decision, whether it is the 10,003rd day they've made this decision. Like those early "Day 1's" this day is full of promise and renewal. We are not alone, no matter where we are on this path. We are trodding through this Day 1 together. We are all stepping back on the path. Again.
Proudly!
However, I understand if you have a hard time letting go of those hard feelings you have against "Day 1's" and I understand that you are not yet proud of the fact that you continue to persevere. You will look back someday and be very proud of how many times you had the indomitable spirit to get back on this path as many times as you needed to-I guarantee it.
But for now, I know you want to be done with your familiar, soul-sucking "Day 1's" and that's why I want to tell you about a gift from my amiga/sistah Jackie aka The Wine Bitch over at Sober Sassy Life. Jackie has created a Master class, "Ditch The Day Ones!" to help you discover how to never "suffer" through a Day 1 again. To find the link to this lesson, head on over to her recent blog, "The Great Business De-Clutter" and scroll down to the bottom of the page and you'll see the Free Download.
You're welcome.
Happy Day 1 Everyone!
I love Jackie, too!
ReplyDeletexo
Wendy
She's quite a gal and so are you!
DeleteThank you sisters! I love you too - one of the ways I ditched Day 1's was finding you guys xx
ReplyDeleteThat's how it works. Gotta give it away to keep it!
DeleteYay! Group Hug! ❤️
ReplyDeleteSappy and proud!
DeleteReally good post KaryMay although I did hope I was done with Day 1's forever. Still I get what you are saying. I will check out Jackie's site now. As always, kudos to you for being a huge sober support to everyone .
ReplyDeleteI have no doubt I needed every one of my Day 1's to convince me to finally stay on the path. I don't know anybody with one Day 1. Maybe they're out there, but I've never met one.
DeleteThank you for sharing such an amazing and informative post. Really enjoyed reading it. :)nice articles...Please read more....
ReplyDeleteLook to God for a Happy Marriage
Life is a continuous cycle, week to week, month to month, year to year. I have lived through many Mondays but everyone has been different. Just because it is Monday again it doesnt mean we aren't moving forward. We learn from every experience, every Monday has taught us something. Nothing is wasted. That is the same with day one.....I have had many! But acumulating over time the lessons learned are invaluable. I would not be here on my day 10 today if it were not for all those valuable day ones 💜 Jenna xx
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm talkin' about!
ReplyDeleteAs much as a cliché the phrase ‘one day at a time is’ there is a profound truth in that. I don’t think day 1 takes anything away from the fact that one managed to stay sober for an extended period. In fact it means you have guts to get up and start again. Lord knows I've had my fair share of day one's. It sucks but all you can do is try again because Lord knows you can’t go back to the way things were.
ReplyDeleteI hear ya. I would be all for Day 1's if some how we could make those going through them recognize, as you say, the courage it takes to keep trying. I needed every single one of my Day 1's, and, maybe, as much as I hate to admit it, I needed the shame that went with them, too. Now, I can look at the whole picture, but when you're going through it, it's tough.
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