Looking for experiences - Al-Anon Family Group

Corgi2 · Veteran Member

Looking for experiences

tommyecat · ~*Service Worker*~

First of all, I just love the dogs. LOVE THEM!

I have learned that I do what I can with what I have. There was a time in my early recovery where I had the ability to go to as many meetings as I wanted. I worked but had no children. I was so very fortunate to become immersed in the program because now it is a lot more difficult to make it to meetings especially when the kids are out of school for holidays or the summer. For me I have made meetings a priority because I know I am a better mother, spouse, friend to others and myself when meetings are a priority. I can relate to being dead tired too. My boys wear me out. I still go to meetings when I feel like I have nothing left to give at 8 PM to get what I need. I have always felt better once I have gone.

Thanks for sharing. I think you will find so many others here who have had the same feelings as you.

TC

likemyheart · ~*Service Worker*~

Hi Corgi - I can relate, I work my first job at 7:15 am and finish the last at 7:30 pm, I work two hour stints at different jobs throughout each day and all day most saturdays - all so I can pay the bills he isn't paying because poor him is (insert current excuse here). I'm hoping that summer will give me some time but, if work presents itself, it has to be taken because I need the income. This board and various reading materials really help a lot - I often do searches for particular things that come up and have found some useful words. Good luck!

ythannah · Senior Member

Congrats on the job!

You can't be everything to everybody so it's up to you to decide what your priorities are for how you spend your time. Like many others, work gets the #1 spot in my life because I need an income. Adequate sleep is generally #2. After that, things get a little less strict -- but Al-Anon is pretty high up there, because I've assigned it that level of importance.

Tonight will be a little frazzled. My meeting is at 7 and I'm chairing, so I should do a bit of prep on our topic. After I get off work at 4:30 I have to run up to the place where I volunteer because I have to sign two weeks' worth of cheques. Then I run home to the dogs, feed them (maybe feed me) and give the concrete slab in my back yard a second coat of paint (it will be too cold to paint after the meeting ends). Hoping all that still gives me time to look up the readings for our meeting and then I'll dash off to open up and get the room ready.

Sometimes it gets a little frantic. The job is fairly new for you, and things will likely settle into a better rhythm of routine as time goes on.

youfoundme · ~*Service Worker*~

I too feel the stress of having to be everywhere at once. I work 8-4:30 and then go to the karate dojo where my kids are at for 5. We are there from 5-6 and then 7-8pm Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is a meeting I found tonight that is at 7pm and I SO want to go. I know that I can leave my older son at karate at 6:45 and go to the meeting and then leave the meeting early to be back to pick him up. However, that is gas money and travel time that will be used up. I do know that I feel better after a meeting so if I absolutely can't get to the meeting tonight, I know that I will be going Friday evening and Saturday for sure. I also get a lot of help and support here and by reading the literature. It is very hard to do it all, that is when we learn what are our priorities and what we can let go of. I am learning this still. I want to do it all. I know that I can't so I do what I can

Tracy · ~*Service Worker*~

I am a very busy working single mum of two teenagers. I like to have control and before al anon could not ask for help. Lately I have been on my knees with stress and depression. I had to take time off work I had no choice I was to ill. While I had this bit of space I reflected on what I neded to do to take care of myself as if I did not start taking better care of me I could not work, look after my kids , run the house etc etc. I have made my recovery one of my priorities. I am having a break from my partner while I focus on myself. I really am starting to feel better. Some nights I really do not feel like I have the energy to go to a meeting, but whe I am coming home it has past and I feel so much better. By going to even one meeting a week just 90 minutes for me makes my life better. I need to eat, pay bills , work etc etc but today my wellbeing matters and al anon is my medicine. my sponsor told me miss a meeting for a week and you become weak I know today that is true forme. As for feeling guilty I put lots of pressures and demands on myself in the past today I try and apply the slogans take it easy or how important is it. Cleaning up is not vital my meeting is.

take what you like and leave the rest xxxxx

Tracy

-- Edited by Tracy on Wednesday 11th of May 2011 12:53:37 PM

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.