Do you feel like you use alcohol to distract you from the fact that you don’t really know what you’re doing in life besides staying alive?

Whats wrong with thinking about what you should be doing?

Wish you the best! Your story gave me some hope too.

I think I drink because it makes me happier (in the moment), allows me to be more present, and lets me forget about the shitty stuff that happened during the day. I’m on antidepressants for depression and anxiety, and while those do help, I often get home and can’t sit still because I’m always thinking about what else I should be doing.

I’m at 10 days right now. I don’t see going back.

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As an achievement/goal enjoying person, I realized that I do not function amazing well with goals. I had a problem of making goals and forgetting them and then trying to binge progress. Instead I use goals as an idea but transform everything into scheduled appointments or daily habits. It isn't a SMART or scheduled goal but I have noticed I have made better progress on what I wanted to do even without an end date or quantity measure

Examples: instead of passing the Japanese N5 test by summer, I make a habit of learning Japanese daily. Or instead of finish 1 project a month I make a habit of doing something creative each day or making sewing dates with friends over the weekends that month. Instead of losing X weight, I have two habits of eating homemade healthy meals while not eating out, and exercising daily.

Ngl I really fucked up lately and I really needed to see this today

What is your goal? Is it relaxation? Do you have another way to do that besides alcohol? Is there someone that makes you feel relaxed when you’re around them? Is there something where you feel relaxed while you are doing it?

If alcohol is accomplishing a goal and you would like to replace it, the replacement should also accomplish your goal(s).

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Anyone have the source the this image? I love it.

Pretty sure it’s not weighing in on physical violence, but emotional harm…

I feel great after a few days off weed but after a week or two I do it once and get right back on it. It’s tuff

r/stopdrinking helped me find alternatives

I started drinking cranberry spritzers as a substitute for alcohol

I’d say you have a good grasp. I share the situation you describe and it’s led to depression and lack of wanting to participate in society at even the most basic levels

Not too familiar with other stoic writing, but I assume she’s referencing Meditations by Aurelius, which is his personal journaling and the most popular piece of stoic literature

Aww thank you for all of that. I really appreciate all you said.

I have already started really doing some deep dives on a project I've been wanting to work on, and have felt really accomplished, so I'm going to ride that high and keep it going. Today marks the start of my vacation, so I am hoping more will develop from here

'Success' is you living your life, your way: applying your signature strengths to create meaning for you, value for others and legacy for the future.

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Whatever this means for any individual is down to them. Conflicts between what this means for a person and what others (typically parents) want / demand of them of ten lead to long term conflicts which manifest themselves in issues rooted in low life satisfaction or low self confidence, or anxiety, or anger (especially in men) or depression or a mixture of these things. I see this pattern quite often in my clients.

I’m really glad you found it helpful, and I personally believe in god. (Christ) but I’m also simultaneously disappointed to a large degree with the conventional church we know today. I want to create a new one. So I’m beginning to find ways to move ahead with the creation of a new model.

The church of today is a self serving beast. It isn’t particularly helpful generally, and the few that are, are very inefficient and wasteful

-the definition of institution

a society or organization founded for a religious, educational, social, or similar purpose.

So to me the very foundation of the church institution is sort of empty, you see what I mean? It’s religion for religion’s sake, and not really for any other purpose. To have such organizations is costly, and individuals are employed for many reasons, clerical, etc. Job creation is generally good, but where should the money from a church really go? Should it go to fatten the pockets of a pastor or deacon? Or could it serve the membership better?

That’s the issue. Waste in the name of god? I don’t think that is what god wants! So through prayer, meditation, and research I am trying to find a new way to do it.

Edit: sorry to go off on a tangent! I guess your reference to the daemon is pretty accurate! As far as the video you mentioned, I don’t think I’ve seen it.

But yes I think many philosophers are aware of that “voice” it doesn’t command. But it does nag at you gently. Telling you not to do what you are about to do. In my opinion, that’s the voice of god/Christ.

I’ve fallen out of favor with god, and with myself, when what I’ve wanted to do was not in line with what I’m supposed to do in a biblical context. And that’s the struggle, I think, with humanity and our purpose, the Bible refers to that as a struggle between our spiritual body and our flesh, right? our body wants to live like all other animals, to pursue pleasure and avoid pain just like Darwin, or any other transhumanist believes. but they dont do a great job explaining why we have a conscious, and why that moral voice is in a war with our physical selves! why arent we completely free to pursue our basic and biological impulses? isnt it counter to evolution and natural selection, not to kill our enemies, or have as much sex as possible with anyone we can? The strange thing about that is, thats exactly how humans behave when they are separated from their morals… like animals…

so the answer is, (i assume) to be whole as a human being, and not in the torment of inner and social conflict means to live according to the demands of the moral authority who is god. with what you are doing, being exactly what you wanted and intended to do. No separation! your body, mind, and spirit together, moving along the straight and narrow path toward god. its like a tight rope! its easy to fall, and it takes 100% focus of your body mind and spirit to walk that path.

Congratulations on your success!

Not to mention modern cognitive Behavioral therapy, one of the most broadly effective treatments for lots of mental health issues, is all about teaching people how to have more control over their own thoughts. Those skills aren't easy but they are so beneficial.

Really great post! Thanks for sharing!

This isn't my original content, I'm not sure if this is copyrighted. I think you should be safe though, as these quotes are quite old.

That’s a beautiful story. I’m glad you are finding peace 🤙

Any particular writing you recommend? u/StowinMarthaGellhorn