Monday Meetup - Join us weekly!

[PnorkelPW]

My weekend was really low-key in the end. I was in the city Friday night for dinner with some people from a new community I'm exploring. I'd never met any of them before and it was a real mix of different personalities but it was good to meet some new people. I find it easier sometimes to talk to a bunch of strangers because there's a level of anonymity and I'm fairly open. Sometimes the longer I get to know people the more I close off..............and I'm working on that all the time.

Saturday was swim, sauna and some life admin followed by the footy and luckily the cats just got up in the end. I watched alone because i just felt like being in that space. I didn't really want to be around drinkers and that's what a lot of my friends were doing. They're just the choices I need to make sometimes to keep myself safe.

Sunday was Father's day and it had kinda snuck up on me. I was only alerted to it on Friday and by then I had nothing organised. I could have and although I didn't get to see my daughter I got a phone call and that's all I really needed. I'll see her on Wednesday and it's just another day. I chose not to go and see my dad as I saw him a couple of weeks ago and that's kinda where our relationship is. I'll see him again in a few more weeks. I think it's important to remember that Father's Day isn't always a celebration for people and if that's you then I hope you looked after yourself or that you're okay.

I also just wanted to chill on Sunday so I went for my swim, sauna, and a walk at the beach before coming home and finishing off the series Better Call Saul. If you haven't watched it i totally recommend it. I've got a massive 8 weeks ahead so a weekend of rest felt right.

What did everyone else get up to???

How was your weekend???

[PnorkelPW]

Hi @Greenthumb ..............just feel free to post and we'll respond when we're here. I'm online Mondays and Thursdays between 8pm - 10pm and @ScorpionPW is online 4 nights per week from 8pm - 9pm.........is that right Scorps??

[PnorkelPW]

@Dandy I'm a big fan of SMART Recovery and both @ScorpionPW and myself are trained facilitators and ran some meetings for a while. I did AA in my early years of recovery but have stepped away over the last few years.........I wouldn't be where I am now though if I hadn't done it. I've just tried to take the best of everything I've learned from everyone and everything and developed my own routines and discovered what I need to do to keep myself on track.

It can be hard turning up each week and hoping others will come along but I just try and remember why I'm doing this. The forums are a place where people can find some help, support, some understanding, connection, and I hope some sense of community. I hear a lot on here that people don't want to go to NA or AA or SMART Recovery which is totally cool but there's not many other alternatives out there. If I can be on here a couple of times a week and share and it helps people then that's cool. Not everyone is going to connect with what I'm saying but there's plenty of other people posting on here too so they'll hopefully find what they're looking for somewhere on the forums.

Sometimes people engage for a day, a week, or a bit longer. It doesn't matter how long. All that matters to me is that we're able to help each other.

Do you think you'll go back and try SMART Recovery again?

[Dandy]

@PnorkelPW I’m open to anything, tbh. I’m deep in the trenches right now, but am taking some steps towards change. (Posting here for example). I like the idea of SMART. Just haven’t yet found a meeting. I’m in 3136. Any recommendations?

[PnorkelPW]

Nah but if you jump on here you'll be able to find something https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/ ...............and they do online meetings as well so you can jump on anywhere

[PnorkelPW]

Hi All,............I hope you go through the weekend alright.

I'm actually writing this on Sunday night as I've realised I won't be available tomorrow night. I'm travelling for work and staying in a hotel for three nights. I've done something today that you might like to think about and I'll be making sure I do it as part of the booking process moving forwards. I asked the hotel staff to send someone up and remove all the booze from the minibar. It was just right in my face and I felt the need to remove the temptation.

It's been a tough weekend, quite a few emotions flying around. I was at a concert last night, the Hilltop Hoods and it was just epic!! I'd been supposed to go with a friend but ended up there with my ex-wife as she'd needed some support during the day and I had to cancel my friend. I actually didn't think I was going to make the concert at all but after talking for a couple hours and settling her down we decided to go. The concert was emotional for me because I was going to go a few years ago after getting out of rehab but decided I wasn't ready. For some reason I'd been around people talking about drugs towards the end of the week and then with the emotion of the Saturday and the music I was feeling pretty triggered today. The concert just reminded me of my using days and being out partying. There were a few people under the influence of substances around me and I was surrounded by people drinking. Airports are also a trigger because I ALWAYS used to drink at the airport. These days I feel a little bit lost although usually I'm okay. There had even been quite a bit of drug use in some of the movies/shows I've watched lately that had set something off in me.

All these factors just made me think about playing it safe when I got to my hotel room so the decision was made to clear out the booze and after going for a walk for a couple of hours and then coming back it felt like a much friendlier space to come back into.

What's something you can do to make life easier for yourself???

[Jazkatz]

Hello. Do we need to sign up for this?

[Lhiver]

heya@Jazkatz you don't need to sign up for the Monday Meet ups, they generally happen every monday night, you just need to jump in the forums between 8-10

[Jazkatz]

Hi @Lhiver . Thanks. I didn't see anyone else talk and wasnt sure what to say. I'll try again next Monday

[Lhiver]

That's all good, it is generally facilitated by @PnorkelPW although sometimes the PW aren't always on, but always feel free to tag @PnorkelPW @Sunflowerseed or myself, or any other members you've seen active in other threads. That way other's can join in! Sometimes people just need that extra push!

[PnorkelPW]

Hi @Jazkatz ..............feel free to say whatever you feel like. I just tend to share about my weekend and see if anyone replies but you can bring anything you like to the space. I'm also a classic oversharer so my posts tend to be a bit longer .........but whether it's one word or one thousand words, just tell us what's on your mind.

If you're out there tonight..........what's on your mind?

[PnorkelPW]

Hi All.............how was your weekend?

Mine was pretty cool. I was supposed to go to a concert but changed my mind earlier in the week and ended up at the footy instead..........the real footy.........the AFL

Saturday I was in bed till 1pm because I'd had a massive week. I did some life admin, cooking, cleaning, and watched the other game before an early night. Sunday was lunch with friends in the city, a new bunch of people I've met and getting to know. I also took the opportunity to catch up with my daughter since I was close to the city.

There is another element to me making plans to see my daughter which is of a protective nature. it gave me a reason to leave the city and avoid the casino. I get thoughts every time I'm in there so i try to give myself reasons to get out of there too.

Is there anything you do to protect yourself from temptation?

[PnorkelPW]

Welcome @Sicko @Emski @G88 @XT @Lone drinker @Cakie181 @Patty123

What's on your mind?

[Cakie181]

I must've missed it tonight,oh well,i'll try to keep an eye on the time next time,and hope to join you then...till then,stay strong,and stay true to yourself

[ScorpionPW]

Hi @Cakie181,

You're always welcome to reach out for a chat even when the Monday Meet Up is not live.

I am here from Monday to Thursday, 8:30pm - 9:30pm and @PnorkelPW is here on Mondays and Thursdays 8:00pm - 10:00pm.

We are both peer workers who have lived through our own journey of addiction and recovery and are always willing to share anything that has helped us along the way, any information about different supports or even if you just want to touch base and let us know where you're at.

You can tag either one of us by typing @ followed by a username, we will get the notification and we will be sure to respond.

All the best, take care and hope you continue to reach out on the forums