Six Books that Changed My Life micro.welltempered.net
@jean Thank you for sharing. As someone born and raised a tea-totalling Baptist, this doesn't relate directly to my story. However, there are many areas where I've struggled to find "sobriety" and I love the joy found in your posts about finding it. Congratulations on your two-year anniversary!
@jean Thanks! Your example, and mention of This Naked Mind, got the wheels turning here. 1+ year dry, very glad of the decision.
@KyleEssary That’s one of the eye-opening moments. Quitting is not the end of the story, just the beginning. Thanks for the nice comment!
@JohnBrady Thanks for telling me that. I’ve been quietly inspired by others myself, like @terrygrier. It’s a pyramid scheme for the good. 😅
@jean Congrats on two years, very nicely done! I haven't missed alcohol whatsoever—I barely drank before quitting, anyway—to the point I wish I had quit sooner. And now that Guinness has a zero alcohol brew, I can still toast and honour my father on the anniversary of his passing. It was the first beer he bought me when I reached drinking age, so it will be a nice tradition to maintain.
@jean Here in the Netherlands, there's a ban on advertising alcohol by Dutch broadcasting companies since 2008. Since 2022, there are strict rules for influencers (more than 500,000 subscribers or followers):
Videos intended for children should not promote chocolate, sweets and alcohol.
Unboxing videos with children's toys should not be made for children. These are films in which products are unpacked and discussed.
Strict rules also apply to gambling.
(source)
This clearly shows that addiction starts at a young age, be it chocolate, sweets, alcohol, toys, gadgets, and gambling, and all those are considered harmful to humans.
It's not just alcohol and smoking.
@jean congratulation on the two years. I think I'm only on my first year myself – but I'm not sure it counts as I was anyway only drinking in social contexts before (peer pressure). Saying no is powerful.
@V_ For grownups there’s an excise duty on sugary water, including alcohol-free beverages, to actively dissuade buying those in excess. They seem to be addicting as well, and certainly can be peer-pressured to be used in social gatherings as a replacement for alcoholic beverages.
@JohnBrady @jean Congrats on that work. Oct 1st was my 5 year mark and it keeps getting better and better. #soberforlife :)