Man alive, am I glad I didn’t cave into those pesky cravings on Thursday night (read my post about that here) because today, ladies and gentlemen, I am 50 WHOLE DAYS SOBER! WOOHOOO!

I can’t believe I’m over halfway through Sober Spring: I’m so bloody proud of myself.

A part of me wishes I could tell the me of this time last year that it’s going to get better. I want her to know that the pain goes away and the grass really is greener on the other side when it comes to alcohol and sobriety. Of course, I can’t do that. I know she needs to go through the pain to get to the happiness.

What I can do is write a list of all the reasons I’ve loved being sober for the past 50 days & hopefully it will help somebody out there who is look for reasons to give up the booze and/or put down the drugs.

Here’s 50 reasons I’ve loved sobriety for 50 days:

1. Mornings have become beautiful again
2. I’m less angry
3. I laugh out loud and smile all the time – and it’s real
4. I’ve lost a little weight (woo!)  
5. I’ve saved some pennies
6. I can focus more clearly
7. Food tastes better
8. Memories have come flooding back
9. Sleep is actually peaceful again
10. I can be in my own company and enjoy it
11. Silence is no longer so scary (read my post Comfortable in Silence)
12. I’ve fallen back in love with nature
13. Weekends feel longer
14. I’m in control
15. My relationships in all areas have improved
16. I feel excited for life
17. I’ve learnt so much about the true nature of alcohol
18. Discovered a whole new genre of literature: quit-lit
19. Feel creatively inspired again
20. No hangovers!
21. Better at making decisions
22. Realised my own strength and capability
23. Proved I do have determination and resilience
24. Deflating the long standing “Paige will be drunk” joke
25. Reconnected with friends I’d let fall to the side lines
26. Writing on this blog and connecting with amazing, like-minded people
27. Not eating as much junk food (although I’m still a sucker for a bag of crisps)
28. People have told me I’m “blossoming” and “glowing”
29. No longer wake up with the dreaded beer fear
30. Anxiety levels have dropped
31. Feeling happy daily
32. Started to write again
33. Encouraged others to want to cut down on drinking
34. Learning to listen and understand my body better
35. Have time for yoga
36. Began to mediate again
37. Feel more spiritually connected
38. Wake-up feeling positive
39. Gratitude levels are through the roof
40. Feel more confident in myself
41. I have discovered a greater sense of compassion
42. Had many scrumptious non-alcoholic drinks
43. Did I mention NO HANGOVERS? It deserves two mentions, trust me
44. I can touch my toes again!
45. My eyes are brighter (which has some fancy science behind it this I can’t remember!)
46. No terrifying blackouts
47. No more obsessing over my heart rate (I was terrified of having a heart attack)
48. Seeing beauty in everyday things
49. Feeling a whole range of emotions which is sometimes scary, but mainly wonderful
50. Making it to milestones like 50 days and feeling INCREDIBLY proud