If you go to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, you will probably see displayed somewhere the slogan ‘Easy does It’.
Why? Many of us alcoholics – and I am a prime example – find it very difficult to give up our alcohol addiction. Many of us are workaholics too.
Easy Does It
Let me give some examples: when we were drinking, we often drank faster than others and tried to fit in lots of activity around the drinking. This was until the final stages of our drinking. We had to finish the last drop of drink. Perhaps now we find it difficult to put down something that we want to complete, we fill our day with activity and leave little time for reflection.
I know I am a workaholic, constantly rushing from one thing to the next. There are not enough hours in the day. When it is suggested that I slow down, I know I don’t want to. I have had to admit that part of it might be that I don’t want to have to think and look at myself too closely. In common with many other alcoholics, I find it difficult to take time out and just relax.
I take on too much and constantly have more commitments than I can realistically handle. I sometimes make other people tired just by them watching me!
Daily Routine
I am aware of this as a defect of character. There should be enjoyment in my journey through life in a more relaxing way rather than just hurtling along towards some unspecified destination (but I enjoy the hurtling too!). I need to get my life more in balance.
Here are some things I need to do – see if you need to do them too:
- write a list for the day but then cut it in half so it is realistic – or do not write the list at all!
- Sit and think for 5 minutes every so often
- Lastly, start the day with a 15 minute meditation slot to think about what needs to be done and faced that day.
‘Self-worth’
One of the problems I admit is that I like to do a lot. This is where I get my self-worth from. But I know I am not indispensable and should delegate more. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves, does this really matter? Or could I be doing something more important – like relaxing with my family?
That said ‘Easy Does It’ should not be an excuse for not doing things that need to be done! It is more about prioritising, doing what is important and urgent and taking the rest a little more slowly.
The Haynes Clinic is an alcohol and drug rehab clinic which offers detox and counselling for people with addictions. It follows the Twelve Step Programme of recovery.
Call 01462 851414 for free and confidential advice.