Dear Diary
I'm on the verge of breaking a 29 year habit of enjoying multiple daily cocktails. I think we are going to be seeing a lot of each other!
I like drinking. It calms me down after a stressful day at work, it loosens my mind so I may become more creative in my writing, it reduces social anxiety which grabs a hold of me constantly, it even reduces my insomnia and helps me sleep better....I even laugh easier... I like laughing! My vodka is my life's tonic
So why have I decided to try to stop? It appears my liver is not so appreciative of my precious drink. As much as I like drinking and laughing... I LOVE living. So at the age of 51, very soon I will find myself suddenly sober. As I said my dear diary, we will be seeing a lot of each other.
You are my first, dear diary. I'm asking myself, why have I made the decision to put you online, instead of hiding you under the mattress which is tradition (so I've heard). I guess I don't want to be alone in this. I know I have you dear diary, and of course my beloved husband... but although he is so very supportive, he hasn't been on the spirits for over 20 years. Could there be someone else out there that is also coming to terms with the same journey as me at this very minute? If so, I want you out there. It's ok if you are read by those I do not know. If you give comfort to others as well as me, maybe your readers will even chime in and share their own story in effort to help others.
That being said, what's my first step? I think it will be setting a date. I have chosen December 9, 2014. I'm not going to make it a New Year's resolution. Those don't quite work for me... I'm good for a while on those then gradually go back to old habits and end up making the same resolution again the following New Year's. Falling off the wagon is not an option. Fate just handed me the check. It's either pay up and live a healthier, sober life, or 'wash dishes' for eternity in the afterlife.
