Surviving the holidays

I love the holidays the smell of hot cocoa and pumpkin pie, Christmas music-yes I am a sap.  But what comes with the holidays is more invitations than usual to attend the festivities, and interacting with many people in different surroundings than we may be ready for.  This can be very exciting but also daunting if newly sober.  A few pieces of advice-

1. Always drive yourself-It may sound simple but having an out is important it allows you to leave situations that may push you to drink.
2. It is ok to say “No”.  If you are invited to something but you just don’t want to go just say “No thank you.”  I heard No is a complete sentence when I was newly sober and loved it.  We are so used to being people pleasers and doing things we don’t want to do that it is often hard to fathom telling our loved ones we may not want to do something but how we say it is 99% of the problem.
3. Find new traditions, if you always used to go to the bars the night before Thanksgiving, go shopping and get a coffee instead.
4. Pay attention to all of the things you missed when you had those rose colored glasses fogging up your view
5. Watch your emotions they can be on overdrive do to HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) situations may seem worse than they are or we may not be eating well or exercising.  Try to keep some balance
6. Hit meetings!!! Extra one’s if needed

The holidays really are amazing and a time to celebrate our Gratitude for sobriety, family and friends and relish in all that we have accomplished, and the many blessings we have.  So get out there and have your best holiday season yet!