r/stopdrinking • u/No-Weakness-3621 Day 829 • 8h ago
Caught myself bragging
I was talking to some people and told them about my sobriety and how I quit. It was bragging, but I noticed two things: in that moment I thought I was better for something I cant take credit for. And people suddenly got defensive over their vices-booze weed pills whatever. I realized I was prideful and felt good. I made people angry, sad whatever. It's actually really horrible. I dont want to talk about sobriety anymore.
6
u/Sweetbowlofme Day 426 8h ago
I like the AA line “guided by the principles of attraction rather than promotion”.
Sounds like you are seeing your part in it & are making it right as you can. I’ve definitely bragged & felt better than others about my sobriety & totally relate
7
u/allaboutthismoment 1852 days 8h ago
What do you mean by "I thought I was better for something I can't take credit for"? Of course you can take credit for it and of course you're allowed to be super proud of yourself. Isn't it weird that "friends" would get angry and sad about that?
6
u/hetherealad 1 day 8h ago
One of the tricks to life is to not give a fuck about what others think, within reason. Just do you and if it makes people have feelings then let it
3
u/Green_L3af 780 days 8h ago
If being proud of not poisoning yourself makes others feel bad then so be it. Iwndwyt
3
u/catsoncrack420 8h ago
I get what you're saying and agree. In the bigger picture, it ain't cool to brag about sobriety, I shouldn't have been a drunk in the first place, I don't deserve a cookie. And I AM living sober, doesn't mean anyone else has to. I HAD a problem whereas most drinker do not. So I don't bring it up in social settings unless asked by ppl close to me.
3
u/SalamanderWest3468 1060 days 8h ago
You did something really hard that a lot of people don’t do because it’s socially ingrained in our society and takes deep reflective work. You can absolutely brag about that. And honestly people need to be able to differentiate someone saying that they’re super proud of their sobriety vs shaming them for drinking, those are two separate things. You can’t take responsibility for them feeling a certain way about their own choices, just because you choose to be sober. Keep going & keep bragging.
2
u/metwicewhat 8h ago
Don’t let people/family/friends ever bring you down for bragging about bettering yourself. I now only surround myself with people who applaud my journey. Day 468 here. IWNDWYT:)
2
u/thorGOT Day 134 5h ago
I don't brag about sobriety for the simple reason that I am not proud of it.
Do this simple exercise... someone tells you that they are a few years free of heroin. Which part of that conversation sticks in your mind? That this person is now clean and sober? Or that they used to be a heroin addict?
Sobriety is only impressive to other drunks. To the overwhelming majority of the population that don't have a problem, it is a massive red flag.
9
u/cunnislaire 1815 days 8h ago
The people I choose to spend time around love celebrating me and my sobriety, they brag on behalf of me. Not sure if I’m just lucky or choose/read my crowds carefully, maybe both.
You can be prideful of this accomplishment without coming off like you think you’re better or above someone else. Someone loses weight with diet and exercise, they put effort into living and feeling better, people congratulate them. Changing one’s life for the better in any way should be celebrated.