When it comes to quitting drinking, you don’t have to think long-term — weeks, months, years, the rest of your life — all you need to focus on is today. All we ever really have is today. The past is gone, the future is yet to come — we are never in it. We are only ever in the present, the now, today.
If you can make it through today without drinking, you will have proven that you have what it takes to kick the booze. Get up tomorrow and do it again. And just as with anything you do over and over again, it gets easier — much, much easier. Not only does it get easier, but, as you conquer each day, you’ll get stronger and healthier. You’ll take back control of your life.
Craving will come and go, but it weakens every time you resist it. To resist craving, you take away its power; to take away its power, you stop thinking about it. Whenever the unhealthy thought of drinking comes to mind, you immediately change your thoughts to something healthy.
If you don’t believe that you can change your thoughts, try this exercise the next time you catch yourself thinking about something negative: Close your eyes and picture yourself on a beautiful island, surrounded by palm trees, and blue skies with puffy white clouds; standing barefoot at the water’s edge, in the powder-soft white sand, with the warm tropical water gently lapping at your feet. Imagine yourself in amazing shape, with a clear mind, and a feeling of absolute tranquility.
You can do that. You can choose to have those thoughts — any time you like. If a negative thought enters your head, you don’t have to dwell on it, giving it power; let it go, and choose to think about something positive instead.
If you write down your reasons for quitting alcohol and carry them with you, or have them easily accessible from your smartphone or computer, you can read them any time you get the urge to drink — refocusing your thoughts, and reminding yourself why drinking alcohol is a bad idea. The craving will pass, and you’ll strengthen your willpower, each and every time you do it.
If you did it yesterday, you can do it today.
One day at a time.
KTB
Kick the Booze 