AIBU to be ridiculously proud of myself but have no one to brag to?

[SisyphusHadItEasy]

So, this past year has been the culmination of a pile of negatives and positives, but I needed to continue working on the negatives.

So, in the last month, I have finally gotten my driving license (lost it many years ago after a spinal cord injury), stopped drinking (I was polishing off 2L of cider or sometimes more a night - please know I quit drinking the day before my driving test and have not touched a drop since), completed my penultimate semester in my engineering program with a 4.0 GPA and successfully started a new eating plan that has begun to show results.

While the driving and academic pursuits are something I can share, I am ashamed to admit how much I weighed at the outset of this journey, and no one knew how much I was drinking.

AIBU to feel ashamed that I created the situation that led to me being unable to share my successes now, but kind of look forward to the future when I can share it?

I know I can do this - I kicked an addiction to hydromorphone that started during my injury rehab, and haven't touched anything stronger than paracetamol since.

You allowed it to happen and have now stopped. And now you don't need to have secrets, but you were ok to be private about it.

Please don't beat yourself up. That guilt is more likely to make you want to drink to block it out. Its in the past, you can't change your past but you ARE changing what you can. Loads of people never do, so that makes you pretty inspiring.

Guilt is really pointless for you. It won't change it and could drag you back. So acknowledge it and then drop it. As long as you keep hold of the lesson it taught you, then you have learned from it. Don't let it keep you in a mental prison of your own making

You should be so damned proud of yourself! Give yourself a huge pat on the back. Well done OP

Giving up drinking is amazing OP- you definitely should feel good about it!! Think about the difference it will make to your future!

YANBU, fine to be proud of achievements.

Great achievements, well done Op! 👍🏻🎉

Congratulations. Your strength of will is awesome.

Well done OP! Sounds like you are achieving a fantastic turnaround!

I think you're amazing. 👾

Well done you

Woohoo. Well done and you’re absolutely right to celebrate your progress. Glad to cheer you on.

Absolutely brilliant- keep it up, you are inspirational!

Brag all you like OP very well done and a big pat on your back from me 🙂 xx

OP share away! Sounds like you're a warrior and lord knows some of us on here need some positivity and inspiration! Keep it up, you're winning at life!

Wow, that's actually more progress that many people make in a lifetime. I'm proud of you, random stranger

Since you are all so amazingly supportive here (it means a lot) I thought I might share my before pic. This was this morning before I left for work - only way to go from here is forward.

Well done. Onwards and upwards.

Wow! Good for you!! You should be proud of yourself!

Wish I had your shape. You are definitely an hourglass. I look like a rectangle with boobs! Doesn't matter how slim I get, I never have a waist. You definitely have. I am slightly envious!

Screw feeling ashamed feel proud of where you are!