So, tomorrow's my 6 year sober anniversary. It's weird. The first two years were really tough. The last four years were relatively easy. The switch in my head flipped and instead of drinking being part of who I was as a person, not drinking became part of who I was. In time and with therapy and lots of personal exploration, I got comfortable in my own skin for the first time in my life. I really hope the rest of you get to experience that too because it's a good feeling.
To be honest, recently it's been tough again. I'm not thinking about drinking but my anxiety has come back in a big way. I couldn't figure out why, still not fully sure, but it's bothering me. Maybe it's my sober day, maybe it's work, maybe it's I need to meditate more. The 1 year anniversary of my mom's passing is a couple weeks away. That's on my mind a lot, obviously. Guess I'm focusing too much on the past, not enough on the future.
Not sure what my point is here. Maybe it's to look forward. Keep your goals in mind. Do the work. Talk out loud, not just in your head. Be kind to yourself. Just don't drink or drug. I don't think I will today. Tomorrow is tomorrow's problem but I'm not giving up today.
Congratulations on 6 years.
really proud of you, brian, on your commitment to choosing life. six years is a long time and is truly SO special! congrats!!
i’ve also not read a single post on here that I connect with so much as this. i’m coming up on 3 years in october and lately feel the s a m e exact way. like, i’ve kinda taken my nonchalantness towards drinking the past couple years for granted. the sober person became so much of my identity that I didn’t have to think about it, but now it’s on my mind more than ever. I don’t want to drink, but this weird thing happened over the weekend when I was out socializing and the next day felt the intense shame and guilt as if I had! it’s thrown me for a loop and into a small depression. really grateful you’ve shared your anxieties, although I’m sorry they’re coming up for you, because I don’t feel so alone in this lonely feeling.
I too have lost a parent and can empathize deeply with you on how hard it is around those anniversaries. take each day at a time, let yourself feel whatever emotions arise, and make a plan for that day/those days to be the best for you, however that may be. I like to be alone and think of it as spending the day with my dad, just the two of us. it makes it special, fun and definitely emotional. no one will ever replace them, but they’re always in our hearts. sending lots of love to atx from dfw 
Thanks, Madi. Three years is a long time too! You should be proud of yourself and your ongoing accomplishment.
I'm sorry to hear about your dad. I do things sometimes that my mom would like doing. Picking up cool rocks, sitting in the river, laughing my goofy dog. Those are things I got from her and like doing but now I do them for her a little too.
Hey man. Celebrate and cherish your sobriety. I saw something yesterday that was interesting, “I thought about having a drink today, but I realized I had plans for Christmas “. Isn’t that how awful this disease is? Face whatever man and lean on others when you need support
Congratulations
Thanks for sharing that, Shepman! That's a great saying. 
And very accurate. Drinking might not ruin my day today but it'll sure as hell ruin tomorrow and all the days after.
Thanks, Bridget! Congrats on your sobriety too! I'm sorry to hear about your mom. They'd be proud of us though, I'm sure.
I always get anxious around my AA birthday. It's normal.