You hear a lot of people talk about the “pink cloud” in early sobriety. Apparently it’s a feeling of euphoria, of extreme pleasure in life and where you are and everything is just wonderful.
I haven’t felt that. I’ve actually felt remarkably sorta middle of the road.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s better than drinking. Better by a long shot! I would say it’s differently better though, like on a whole different spectrum of “better” than I could even be on when drinking. It’s like I used to be on highway 10, winding through a valley, thinking I liked the view of km 50 better than 20. Now I’m on a completely different highway that’s up on the mountains and I can see so much farther and it’s stunning! But I’m still just sitting in a car, driving through life.
I’ve honestly been okay with feeling a bit, well, “meh” because it has been SO much better than the agony of wanting to quit drinking and not being able to. And I feel so much more hopeful which, in and of itself, is an amazing thing. But I’ve wondered about that pink cloud.
Yesterday I listened to an Annie Grace podcast (This Naked Mind episode 320) talking about the pink cloud and the takeaway I got, from her breaking down the limited science on it, is that the pink cloud is not to be trusted. It’s often the people who feel it more intensely who end up relapsing. It’s like they get trapped up in the euphoria of sobriety and forget to be vigilant about watching for addiction triggers.
For me, these last 36 days, I have been vigilant. I’m feeling good but with an underlying wariness that I’m still in the danger zone. Maybe this is why I’m not in the pink cloud? I’ve decided that’s okay.
In an unrelated sober victory, my kids and I were doing our typical Saturday afternoon routine of hopping in the car, going to the river to throw rocks, then finding a playground to kill some time. Historically I’d enforce this time purely as an excuse to stop and buy wine on the way home. Friends, I went to bed yesterday and realized I hadn’t even thought about wine. I didn’t even glance off the highway at the no fewer than 5 liquor stores within easy stopping distance en route to the playground. VICTORY. Well, at least for that day.
Btw – 36 sober days under my belt. This is officially the longest I’ve been consecutively sober outside of pregnancy since I started drinking at 20!
I’d love to hear some stories of your early sober victories! They are so fun to read!
Congratulations on 36 days! I think feeling so much better, and at peace were my big positives in the beginning. That, and gratitude that I’d finally stepped off that train. 💕
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YES. Even when things aren’t peaceful, there’s still a level of peace that I didn’t have before. The internal storm is a little less ragey.
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I sent a reply but I think it’s in your moderation view because it had links to a couple of my early on sober posts. WordPress does that..Sending all my support!
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Congrats on 36 days! Annie Grace was my guide for getting sober. The 30 day experiment she offered was eye-opening and kept me on my new path. It’s indeed, literally a trip, seeing clearly after the fog has lifted. Seeing all the work that lies ahead of you that we never addressed before. It’s good work my friend😊. Here’s a couple entries early on in my journey.. https://fadedjeansliving.com/2019/03/04/im-just-over-2-weeks-now-being-alcohol-free-and-im-in-a-bit-of-a-funk/
https://fadedjeansliving.com/2019/03/07/initial-observations-being-alcohol-free/
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She is a gift to the world, for sure! Thanks for sharing your posts, I’ll pop over and check them out!
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Huge congrats on day 36 .. that’s great. Such an achievement. You sound like you are doing so well and on well on the right track. I didn’t really have pink cloud moments. I tend to have times when I just feel at peace and happy in myself. That contentment for me is a pink cloud I guess. Xxx
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I think at peace and happy should be the real goal, not some fleeting euphoria anyway!
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I agree. That’s the aim for me anyway. 💕
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Ugh I’d have never done this drinking it’s meant to read 🤦♀️
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Amazing 36 days is awesome. I remember (I love how I’m writing this as if it was years ago-but that’s what it feels like), going on a solo hike on my first sober holiday, but also my first holiday as a mum. Normally I’d be so hungover and feeling ick that I’d use BBs nap times to nap too, but I had so much extra energy and zest. So I left the hubster in charge of nap time and hiked to a tarn, sat there dipping my toes in, thinking about life and enjoying the views. I’d have never done this sober, but the 2 hour hike was so worth it ♡ hang in there, you’re doing so well xx
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Wow, that sounds beautiful! I definitely have more energy, but I loooove napping and do it whenever I can! Even if I don’t “need” it! 😀
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Same, I think its our female right 😂
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