Tag: emotions

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Imposter Syndrome

Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is a psychological phenomenon where an individual doubts their own abilities, talents, or accomplishments. They will have a persistent fear of being exposed as a fraud or “imposter.”

Despite external evidence of their competence, such as positive feedback or achievements gained, individuals with imposter syndrome may feel like they are undeserving of their success. They will put their success down to luck or other external factors rather than their own skills and hard work.

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Cognitive Dissonance

cognitive dissonance

Cognitive Dissonance is a term used to describe the mental discomfort that you feel when you hold two conflicting beliefs or find your actions contradict your beliefs.

For example: Someone can acknowledge that their alcohol drinking has caused problems in their life. Such as missed work or strained relationships with loved ones. However, they continue to justify their drinking behaviour by telling themselves that they need alcohol to cope with stress or anxiety.

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Relapse Prevention Plan

What if you can predict when you’re about to relapse? Can you imagine being able to avoid it before it happens?

There are many red flags that indicate that a relapse may be coming your way. I like to call this the “Pre-lapse Stage”.  Triggers and events that lead up to your relapse.

Having a relapse prevention plan means you will be better prepared to prevent a relapse from happening. Here I’ll show you the common triggers and stages that lead to a relapse so you are better prepared.

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Am I Drinking Too Much?

If you have to ask yourself “Am I drinking too much” then the answer is probably yes.

I imagine you already feel that your drinking is getting to an unhealthy level and starting to negatively impact parts of your life. If you weren’t concerned about it, would you even be asking yourself this question?

This does not mean you’re an alcoholic or even alcohol dependant. Although it does mean you need to take a look at your drinking, because it’s not making you feel great, right?

Now, what’s too much for one person is not necessarily too much for another. It all comes down to the way your drinking makes you feel.

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Fading Affect Bias

What is the Fading Affect Bias?

Simply put the Fading Affect Bias, or FAB as phycologist call it, refers to the way your brain will forget or fade memories associated with unpleasant emotions faster than memories associated with pleasant emotions.

Your brain’s ability to dampen a negative memory over time is a great coping mechanism but it can be a problem for the newly sober. What happens if you need to remember the bad drinking days to avoid relapsing?

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Out of Control – Day 1664

The last 2 months have been tough for me. I have got myself into an ugly situation with my eating. Mainly eating anything sweet; chocolate, biscuits, cake etc…

The last time I wrote here was nearly 2 months ago. In that entry I talked about wanting to lose my Lockdown Belly. The kids were going back to school and I was determined to start eating healthy. I was sick of scoffing biscuits and chocolate whenever I fancied. I’d gotten myself into a bad habit over lockdown and I wanted to change.

Well, in true Mrs Mac style I went all in. I’ve always been an all or nothing girl.

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Loneliness in Sobriety

loneliness in sobriety

It’s not uncommon to feel lonely during early sobriety or even years into sobriety. It was certainly the case with me. Loneliness is a negative emotion and can feel very isolating at times but remember there is a difference between being alone and loneliness.

I feel there are two main situations that can cause me to feel lonely.

  • Not talking to, or seeing friends and family very often or in a long while.
  • Being surrounded by people at a party or gathering, but I don’t feel I can relate to anyone there or I don’t feel understood, cared for, or heard.

I believe both these scenarios can cause loneliness in sobriety as there is a lack of connection.

In early sobriety it is not uncommon to feel lonely. Think about it, you lose some drinking buddies, you don’t go to parties that may jeopardise your fragile early sobriety. You may have lost friends due to your previous drinking antics. You may not have anyone to confide in who understands your decision to quit drinking or you may be hold up at home getting your bearings, trying to figure out this whole sobriety thing. Whatever your reason for feeling lonely, I think this article can help.

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Managing My Emotions – Day 1502

Whilst being on lockdown I have been trying to put together a website. I have to admit it’s been hard and I have made many mistakes along the way. There have been times when I have wanted to pick up the laptop and hurl it across my office in an irrational display of rage.

When I come across something I cannot do and, its not obvious how to do it, I get really angry inside, then emotional. I just hate making mistakes.

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