The morning started with an early wake-up and doing a bit more of the project.

My colleague started back at work today, so I had the ‘holiday call’ about how good the weather was, the nights out and the fun of a holiday.  A friend then called after and in amongst the chat, was talking about their weekend days out.  All before I was even ready to leave for work.

Before I had even stepped in the car, I had a chat with a neighbour, who is back from a weekend family event.  Another chat about the weekend escapades!

I felt a theme running this morning, due to the good weather all weekend.  None of these chats bothered or triggered me at all, and I don’t mind hearing about people drinking and enjoying themselves.  I have accepted that I am an alcoholic, whereas these friends are not, as they control their drinking, and drink only socially.  Alcohol has not made their lives unmanageable as it did mine.

Whilst in early recovery, I try to avoid situations of being around alcohol to avoid temptation.  It will not always be avoidable, and I don’t plan on avoiding it forever, but small steps at a time.  If I am around these situations, I will be last to arrive and first to leave.

With all the good weather we are having right now, the temptation is at its highest.  Throughout the day, I have seen on socials, how some people I know have relapsed over the weekend, and other people enjoying themselves at the pub and events.  This made me think deeply about how easy it is to relapse, and how important it is to stick to my recovery plan.  I must actively keep this in mind and put into practice my relapse prevention.

Stick to the plan, and don’t let temptation win!