angussdundee
02-22-2009, 03:40 PM
During our on-going recovery it's important to understand that recreation has a very necessary part to play.
Yes, our recovery is a serious business, but it's worth remembering that we also need to make time to lighten up from time to time.
In my drinking days 'recreation' usually meant getting spread out on the couch in front of the TV with my drinks and pot close to hand, or meeting up with the old playmates down at the watering hole to get sh** faced.
Recreation is a vital part of all our recovery and it takes a bit of getting used to doing it, and enjoying it sober.
But like most alcoholics/addicts I found it very difficult to relax without feeling guilty that I was not getting on with my steps or having a meaningful one to one with my spornsor or getting involved in service at an AA group.
If we don't already have interests that can be rekindled like playing sports or music or whatever, then it's time to learn new ones!
Don't forget that recreation can be great fun and it doesnt have to be approeched with gritted teeth and white knuckles - shoot, this sound familiar... ::) That's often because we think we have to be winners at everything we tackle. If we pick up a tennis racquet and don't serve an ace first time that doesn't mean we have failed, every time we try to hit a golf ball it doesn't have to land in the hole but it can still be a lot of fun trying.
In fact, learning to feel silly and laughing out loud is great therapy so stop worrying and enjoy it. After all, anything looks good compared to how we looked when we were drunk... :D
God, help us all to have fun.
Anguss.
Yes, our recovery is a serious business, but it's worth remembering that we also need to make time to lighten up from time to time.
In my drinking days 'recreation' usually meant getting spread out on the couch in front of the TV with my drinks and pot close to hand, or meeting up with the old playmates down at the watering hole to get sh** faced.
Recreation is a vital part of all our recovery and it takes a bit of getting used to doing it, and enjoying it sober.
But like most alcoholics/addicts I found it very difficult to relax without feeling guilty that I was not getting on with my steps or having a meaningful one to one with my spornsor or getting involved in service at an AA group.
If we don't already have interests that can be rekindled like playing sports or music or whatever, then it's time to learn new ones!
Don't forget that recreation can be great fun and it doesnt have to be approeched with gritted teeth and white knuckles - shoot, this sound familiar... ::) That's often because we think we have to be winners at everything we tackle. If we pick up a tennis racquet and don't serve an ace first time that doesn't mean we have failed, every time we try to hit a golf ball it doesn't have to land in the hole but it can still be a lot of fun trying.
In fact, learning to feel silly and laughing out loud is great therapy so stop worrying and enjoy it. After all, anything looks good compared to how we looked when we were drunk... :D
God, help us all to have fun.
Anguss.