Is your life unmanageable even after 2 years?

Recovery
#1

For me, 2 years and 3 months into my recovered sobriety lifestyle, it feels like my life is unmanageable at times. I’m actively working the program of AA and yet life keeps throwing obstacles my way… It’s like I take two steps forward and four steps backwards. It feels like my spiritual progress grows in leaps and bounds then comes to a complete standstill.
One thing I have noticed is that when this happens to me I don’t let it overpower my emotions. I remember this happening a few times in early sobriety and again 18 months later. It’s like I’m going through a series of tests. Am I really ready to handle the next phase of my sobriety?
With my new found way of life, thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous, I can keep using the tools to get through these emotions I keep experiencing. It’s not easy but practice makes habit.

One situation I’m facing is the stuff I have in two storage units. The cost I’m accumulating to store these material possessions is increasing. I’m trying to downsize my stuff but it feels like I can do it fast enough. Is this a lesson in patience? Or a lesson in letting go of material possessions? Or both?
Either way it’s tough to deal with. Today I’m going to use the tools I’ve learned to take the necessary steps towards managing my life better and not cave into the self pity party I once used to do. Which ultimately lead to drinking.

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#2

Life shows up every day my friend. The serenity payer is where it’s at. For me it’s about powerlessness. I have no power over people, places, and things. This drives me absolutely crazy! The more I can surrender (not fight it), the more peace I have. On the other hand, I do have power over my actions. I have the power to choose how I react to life. The wisdom to know the difference between these things is what I hope to understand. You’ve come so far my brother! You are doing a great job! I believe you will continue to show up, and you will find solutions to life situations :pray::peace_symbol:

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#3

Thank you Brother! I definitely agree with you on the serenity prayer. Today was a good day! I took 2 yards of garbage to the dumps. I’m almost out of one storage unit. I’ve stopped procrastinating on doing this phase of my life. I faced my emotions of going through my stuff. My ex wife had boxed up all my belongings after I was kicked out of our home. It’s been 2-1/2 years of storage fees. The emotions that I went through today were heavy at times. I used the program of AA to help me. I called my sponsor, I called a few other guys in the program. And I’m venting it here. I’m sober today. I was with my dad and son which they helped me a lot. I’m very grateful for them. One more step towards freedom.

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#4

That’s awesome my brother! Powerful message for all to read! Thank you for sharing!!

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#5

I asked my sponsor who has 30 years if her life is unmanageable and she didn't blink, answered yes immediately. I'm not sure if she's kindof brainwashed by working step 1 over and over? And I'm at least a little brainwashed because I'm working a program that doesn't promise a manageable life! 🤷:joy::pray:

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#6

I agree with all said! God is teaching me lessons, much like he is you. Patience is a big one. Love the serenity prayer, but I also and daily tell myself, my life is God’s plan not mine. God’s time, not mine. Let him steer the bus and it will be works out. I will most certainly end up in a ditch, an frustrated mess and it could lead me back to a bottle in my hand. Good thoughts and prayers coming your way. Enjoy a sober Sunday! :pray::blush::pray:

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#7

Thank you for your honesty!! Looking back emotions definitely were the main culprit to my drinking and I dont want to feed my emotions anymore in a negative way. The challenges we encounter we must not let them control us anymore and this can be so hard but the feeling of sobriety triumphs those challenges, stay strong!

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#8

Thank you for sharing this. It’s conversation like these that will rocket us into the fourth dimension. I want a manageable life. Therefore I work the steps of AA daily. Step one for me now is more of a reminder that I’m powerless over alcohol when I drink. I’m also powerless over the action of people, places and things. And when I drink my life becomes unmanageable. Now as for my life being unmanageable today is due to my procrastination issues and possibly trying to take back my willpower… in step three I had surrendered my will and my life to a higher power of my understanding but from time to time I like to take it back, lol. Plus I’ve realized that I needed to heal from my divorce and the event that happened afterwards. That’s why my life feels unmanageable at times. Not sure I would call it brainwashed, more like rewiring our brains to keep us out of trouble.

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#9

Thank you Cathy! Love what you’ve added! “My life is God’s life” “God’s time not mine” I’m going to use these…

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#10

Welcome and thank you for sharing. I’m learning to not let my emotions run the show. Staying in the moment, being present is another key to the kingdom. And feeling our emotions when they pop up.
I know yesterday I most certainly had a few moments where sadness fell over me. The thoughts of my family life, my ex, my son, and the memories all came flooding in. I leaned into them and told myself it’s ok now. You can let them out. Let it go. And in less then five minutes “ poof” emotions gone. Continue my day.
Thank you and have a blessed day

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#11

Hey man don’t let a couple of storage units take your serenity. I don’t want to minimize at all, but my sponsor is usually like “really?” with stuff like that. I found in my fourth step that the things that got me cranked up looked pretty silly on paper, then they sounded even sillier when I said them out loud in my 5th. Maybe do a little mini 4th and 5th with this.

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#12

Thank you shawn O! Good idea. I’m letting go of my stuff! Going to have a garage sale in a few weeks. Time to get rid of that weight…
Resentments weigh a lot. Actually having materialistic stuff weighs so much more!!! :joy:

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#13

Inspiring Story Kevin

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#14

You con do this.!!!!!!! Aa🥇

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#15

Thank you David! I’m doing it!!

#16

Thank you Angela!