Have you found a way to occupy your time but with real people? It's the only way I've found that really works

yeah, I get that 'itch' all the time. Only difference is I act on it, and it's just not worth it the day after! You know that too.

When I was sober for a while I never got bored of not drinking...it was different...I just got bored like normal ppl do. I could live with that.

Jim
I had a great day today actually, my brother, sister inlaw and the baby came over, it was great with them....but I don't have many friends....he asked a few times what i had been up to and I didnt even know what to say....he is the type that sober or drinking id into everything...
yeah, I guess I feel like I do not have a life....no hobbies, interests....
I am working on it...not sure how to go about it at times though

I know rainbow, its hard....is this bored like normal people?
what is normal?

That problem is one I faced. I drank from the time I got off work until passed out. I had to find things to fill my sober time. Meetings only take up an hour so I had to get creative. I started to read more. Play online games. I also worked more hours too. I am hoping that in a couple of months I will have a person to spend quality time with. I still rely on the HALT thingy. Hungry, angry, lonely, tired.

Yeah, I just want to have friends again....and when I am sober its even harder for me to connect or bond with others...I am much more shy

It is like normal ppl bored. I was so content with sobriety back in the day! I sure was! I look back...and see how much I really did love life.

You asked, "What is norma?" I think normal for me was the day I didn't wake up counting my sober days, or wondering what it was like 'out there in the party world' where I used to drink and dance.

Normal felt good the day I forgot to count how many days I was sober...I'll never forget that day! It was my day! of normalicy (that a word...lol).

I know I feel that way some times, I love life but then I really look at it and what I am really doing and its not much of anything...
I know I need to get into AA.....I think I am have a problem getting past the intitial discomfort of it.....I hate being so nervous that i have to fight my anxiety and thats what meeting are to me right now...I know I can get past it if i keep going but its hard to make myself when I know I do not HAVE to and I can sit in my comfy apt.....telling myself online is enough....I know it not (though its great)....

Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn! You just said everything I'm feeling in a nutshell! I know! that I Know! that I know!, but still, I'm with that anxiety delema too! Sucks!!!!! Sucks!!!! Sucks!!!!

do you have the really bad anxiety? I mean I have the heart racing and wondering if I am going to pass out kind, I hate it....I feel so self conscience...I know I souldn't feel that way that everyone is understanding....but I can not get past my rapid heart rate and fear of passing out literally.....

I get like that sometimes, but not always, thank God! I actually 'think' so much that it gets me going crazy...like something is wrong with my kids, like I'm gonna get into an accident on the way home, like life is too good...something is going to go wrong Today!, like sometimes...I lay in bed and thoughts cross my mind, and I FREAK and try to shut it off! I don't even want to share with you what I think of! You don't need that.

I Just Know I Panick and I don't know how to make it stop! besides drinking it away.

Stay strong Ashley. it helped me to find something to occupy my mind. I started doing jigsaws (big ones). You have listed a few healthy hobbies in your profile. See if you can find clubs in your local area that involve these hobbies. That will also help you find new friends. Oh, and your friends are here too.
CM xxx

Get yourself some dark chocolate, it takes away the craving and it's good for you.

I know what you mean I use to feel that way, until that option of drinking was to be no more, cause of major health reasons. So I had to work on myself, so I wouldn't have that itch to drink. You know it's just the disease working on you is all. Life is so much better without drinking,I know it's hard to believe but it's actually true. AS for having a couple drinks to relax to be normal, that is a myth, regular people can relax just fine without alcohol.