When I heard it this AM I was like 
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Haha love it. Very true. I’m working through my very honest first step and I don’t know whether to be embarrassed, impressed, or write a book. It’s wild to see it on paper while not loaded with alcohol. Definitely happy to be where I’m at today compared to early this year.
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It’ll be personal to you and how much of your life revolves around it. I went to a brewery last night to watch basketball and in the past hated beer and had to drink it to please others and now I just say I don’t drink beer and it’s fine. I get the same looks as I give when someone says they are vegan or gluten free at a Italian place. And guess how much they care or will be forced to eat something out of shame or guilt: Zero!!!
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At first you miss it, then there is the period where you have to explain to everyone why you’re not drinking. I used to tell everyone that I quit or “retired” from drinking, like I had to add a little humor. Now I just tell them I’m a recovered alcoholic. (13 years sober) It’s just part of my whole persona. I’m proud of my sobriety because it’s an accomplishment for me. I like to explore the NA beers and IPA’s out there. If none is available I get a sparkling water. Some of my friends see the NA beer and worry that I’m drinking again. Then I get to tell them how great tasting the NA beers are now! Embrace it!
It's great to hear that you're working on Step 1.
At least 6 months if I remember correctly, I took friends with me who supported me in my sobriety.
Hey man please send me your number
Trust me I don't want her
I was told a full year. I think about this same thing a lot. 
Jeremy I know you are happy. Dude I was o. Cloud 9 I'm sorry dude she just isn't what she presents to be
214 532 4843 if you ever want to know
Started not drinking and looking around at how many people really don’t drink. I thought everyone drank through everything.
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Btw if she knows I messaged you she will flip on you.
My goals around this have changed considerably. At first, before I understood recovery (vs sobriety) I longed for a time I could go to a bar and not drink. And that did happen at about 6 months I guess. But it wasn’t fun. It was annoying. I was hyper vigilant about slipping. I was counting other people’s drinks and judging them. It was terrible for me.
A couple years later, I have no interest in going to a bar. If there’s music or it’s a friend’s birthday, I’ll go, get something to eat, kick rocks for an hour at the most, and then head home. But I have no desire for that to feel normal.
It took me about a year as well, maybe a year and a half before I got really comfortable with it.
It was six months; I took the first step seriously, did 90/90, and established my support system. I completely changed my lifestyle, eating, sleeping, and exercising well. I was active in the Special Events Committee, so I would be in activities where clean fun was, and then I'd go out with my sober buddies to dance in fancy hotel lobbies.
John, I just realized that your’e an audio engineer and music producer. I make music as well or try to lol I have a few synths and a drum machine etc. My FAVORITE thing in the whole world was drinking and listening to music but especially making it. I mean literally it’s the best thing ever to me. I now don’t have that ya know. It was my escape. I still can listen to music but it’s just not the same making it. How did you deal with it or do you know of anyone that has offered you good advice. I sometimes feel like, well if I can’t do my favorite things in the world , is life really worth living? Like seriously
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That’s what I’m harping on too Jeremy, “The Lies”. That is truly in my opinion what is first conceived with alcohol. We see it all the time in advertisements, sports, movies, it’s the substance the cure all the good time in all situations. It’s an allusion and a poison. I’m learning as each time I choose not to drink I feel so much better in every way. That’s the normal I want. So to thine own heart be true.
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David
Be careful with NA beer. There's been many people that have fell into that trap believing that it satisfies while other people are drinking the real thing. There are countless stories of people who relapsed shortly after.
Beer is an acquired taste. When I became free from alcohol I just couldn't imagine drinking beer anymore.
I get it. Everyone thinks that they are the exception. Just watching your back here and telling you to be careful.
I'm sitting here thinking about your post. First thing that runs through my mind is how many years did it take me to get 'comfortable' being inside a bar and then getting drunk inside a bar and then starting fights and arguments and being awkward inside a bar and then becoming comfortable inside a bar.
I'm almost a year sober now. And I feel like all the time I've spent in the last few months building habits to recognize my triggers, raise situational awareness, building a sober Network, etc etc. Only counteract a couple months of 15 plus years of drinking and drugging.
My situation will be different than others. But I keep in consideration the amount of time that I spent in my mess and how infantile I am out of it.
What are the key things that I'm focus on is discovering who I am and sobriety. And then leaning into those habits of lifestyle. I really don't want to be anywhere I was in my mess. Because that isn't truly me. Most times I was in a bar trying to cope with life because I didn't have any tools or wasn't taught how to deal with life issues. So honestly right now the last place I want to be is in a bar. Nor do I want to sit alongside friends who are probably drinking to achieve the same level of comfort I was trying to achieve in my mess. I don't want to sit and watch my friends go through those things while I'm trying to work on myself
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