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Original poster

Serenity thread

123 replies

FairyTaleEnding · 19/02/2009 21:55

Rather nervously putting head above parapet to invite anyone in recovery to chat. I don't want this to be heavy, it's about finding a space away from the 'I drink too much' threads where we might be seen as a bit zealous! Anyway, I'll be surprised if anyone except MIFLAW replies ...

My name's FairyTaleEnding ...

OP posts:
ManIFeelLikeAWoman · 20/02/2009 00:19

Well, I'll throw my hat into the ring - friend of Bill W's for a bit over six years, one day at a time. Well done to FTE for setting this thread up.

Am in SE London area at the moment but used to be in East London before that, and East Kent (Herne Bay and Thanet) before that.

Very much a satisfied customer - if it wasn't for recovery, I wouldn't have a fraction of what I have in my life now, and the material side is the least of it.

beinghonest · 20/02/2009 15:07

Well I am in recovery too - although only for 2 days so far, this time! I don't think you're over zealous on the other thread - it's good to hear from people who have found a way to stay sober.

Original poster
FairyTaleEnding · 20/02/2009 18:15

Hi both! So glad someone joined in ... I went to bed last night thinking 'what on earth have I done??'

I'm a fairly recent convert - picking up my nine month chip this weekend. But I'm loving it so far. Life is still tricky but so much easier to handle sober.

I'll be back on later but I have to go and meet a group of drunks now.

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Original poster
FairyTaleEnding · 20/02/2009 18:20

beinghonest - thanks for saying we're welcome on the other thread. I just know that before I got into AA, the last thing I wanted to hear from anyone was what might seem like a lecture on the joys of recovery. And I was frightened of the whole AA thing, thought it was all a bit weird and extreme. So I'm just conscious of not wanting to bang the drum too loudly, as I can imagine it might become a bit of a pain in the arse!

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Original poster
FairyTaleEnding · 20/02/2009 18:23

By the way, MIFLAW - pissed myself laughing at you on one of the other threads trying to establish if someone was a friend of Bill's or not, and hitting a brick wall. Er, no, I don't think I know anyone in New York ... (don't mean laughing at you, of course, just found it really funny. Now I really must get going ...

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ManIFeelLikeAWoman · 20/02/2009 19:45

Yes, the old Friend of Bill W euphemism is at its most useful when it gets blank looks ... And it makes me feel like a spy or a gangster so I can believe my life is exciting.

Beinghonest - congrats on 2 days! Where are you based?

jeminthecity · 21/02/2009 10:32

I've been in recovery for the past 2 years.

Love the title of the thread.

My names Jem, nice to be here.

jeminthecity · 21/02/2009 10:44

I know what you mean about the other threads fairytale- I always feel I have to be really careful too, because I think its difficult for people who are struggling with their drinking to understand, and I too don't want to come across as banging on about the joys of recovery like a born again nutter, if you see what I mean.

Well done on your 6 month chip! We always have a big cake and celebration thing for peoples birthdays.

Original poster
FairyTaleEnding · 21/02/2009 11:12

Hi Jem, glad to see you. You're right about not wanting to sound like a born again nutter. I was so resistant for years, thought I was better off and happier controlling drinking and having a little bit of it left in my life, couldn't stand the thought of 'never again'. And now it feels like freedom! And I'm loving it. But it took me ages to realise that AAs were nice, normal people, not cliched tramps on park benches.

Picked up my nine month chip last night, really thrilling. I was grinning like an idiot.

Really glad you're here.

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jeminthecity · 21/02/2009 11:21

Hey thanks! Woo 9 months!

I havn't 'come out' under this name before, and was a bit hesitant. Its not something that we shout about in rl is it? 'oh yes, I'm a recovering...'

I've met some really great people too. It was just such a huge sense of relief to find others who REALLY understood, even down to the really stupid things, stuff that only addicts really get.

flibertygibet · 21/02/2009 22:58

"Is he on the firm" is what we ask in our house!

Sorry..i'm not 'on the firm' but dh is. Realise I am intruding here on the serenity scene but just wanted to say keep strong everyone. It really DOES work.

DH is 25 years clean and sober.

Original poster
FairyTaleEnding · 22/02/2009 10:02

Not intruding at all, fliberty. We all need a bit of serenity! 25 years is incredible ... Did you go to AlAnon?

Loving 'on the firm'!

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jeminthecity · 22/02/2009 18:00

Aye, 'In the fellowship' up here.

jeminthecity · 22/02/2009 18:02
ManIFeelLikeAWoman · 22/02/2009 20:11

My partner asks, "does he/she go to the same after-school club as you?"

jeminthecity · 22/02/2009 22:11

Or i tell people 'oh we met at a book club'

FairyCCTaleEnding · 22/02/2009 22:13

Liking 'book club'. 'Mutual friends' is one I abuse quite often. But as half my friends are 'in' and ruthlessly 12th stepped me, it's not so much of a problem any more ...

jeminthecity · 22/02/2009 22:22

My DP often asks 'who was that bloke/woman who you just hugged?', if we are out somewhere,...like I often go around hugging random people- god he should realise by now... or when I meet people,'OH hi, DP, this is Fred, Fed..-DP'. DP looks sort of ebarressed and ALWAYS says' oh he'she was nice/normal'.

Yeah, like me, I'm normal too you fool

jeminthecity · 22/02/2009 22:23

Sorry about the spellings, I should check...

ManIFeelLikeAWoman · 23/02/2009 10:14

Progress not perfection, Jem ...

jeminthecity · 23/02/2009 12:28

Lol.

I feel like we are all talking in code! Good job probably...

Anyway, keeping it simple today!.

I know some of the sayings can be cheesy, but they have really helped me get through times.

Does anyone fancy an off board discussion? My e'mail is my name, am also on FB- I'd need to join the CAT thing to contact youse, but thats not a problem!

What do you say? I just feel I can only post in a very stilted fashion re-our stuff, iyswim.
Or, any ideas on what we could chat about, you know, recovery topics so to speak?!

jeminthecity · 23/02/2009 12:29

I'll leave it with youse.

FairyCCTaleEnding · 23/02/2009 12:57

Hi Jem,

Know what you mean. Can't be too frank on here, and it's not as if we're comparing notes in quite the same way as the other thread. I don't have CAT as too poverty-stricken, but if you're ok with giving me your email or FB details I'll happily contact you there.

Recovery topics are a bit tricky, I think. Although everyone is anonymous on here!

Easy does it

jeminthecity · 23/02/2009 13:08

Ok, I'll subscribe to the CAT thing sometime today, then I can contact you, check your settings to see that you can receve messages! What I meant was that my e-mail is my real life name, so can't give it on here.

Yes, I agree recovery topics are too tricky I think, for a public forum.

ManIFeel- your name makes me think of high heels...not that there's owt wrong with that mind.

ManIFeelLikeAWoman · 23/02/2009 13:19

High heels - life beyond my wildest dreams ...

I suppose in terms of what we share about, it could just be how the day's going - or ways to help newcomers?

My email's my real name too.

If I want to find out if a stranger is a fellow traveller, I usually drop the name Bill Wilson into the conversation (appropriately enough, it's a very anonymous type of name) and throw in the word "Akron" if they ask me to be more specific. Always get blank, "are you mad?" looks so far, but at least that means I haven't "outed" myself inappropriately. (I'm actually not a very secretive AA, but I still like to pick the time and place I tell people rather than just getting "piss artist" tattooed on my face.)