Blank Slate - EPRHA 2.0

[Shannon]

Well I don't like to admit it but I kind of am in a similar place as he is. If I didn't force myself to take the language course that I'm taking right now, I wouldn't leave my house. The only thing that used to get me out of the house before was when I got so drunk that the anxiety didn't stop me. Now being 5 months sober, I kind of don't know how to make it happen. Admitting this makes me feel incredibly weak.

Lately I feel like I care less and less about people. Maybe that's why I'm not willing to go the length to help my father. I just don't know if I care enough. It's odd, I used to be such a caring person, at least I think I used to be.

Congratulations on your sobriety, Nautious!

Have a look at it like this.

When you were drinking, you were probably using it as a crutch to mask your pain and hide from uncomfortable truths in your life. Now that you're going sober, you need to learn new and healthier coping mechanisms.

In the beginning of any learning cycle, you're weak. Nobody just magically knows how to type, play piano, fly a jet or anything else. It takes learning, practice, repetition, discovery and time.

Feeling weak only tells you that you're at the beginning of your new learning cycle. It's a good thing, because it means you're becoming stronger in a new direction. Learning new coping mechanisms is a great thing to do for yourself. And in such a situation, you may have to focus on yourself before you try to help someone else.

But both of you could benefit from EHPRA 2.0 without effort if he was being exposed. And since it takes no real effort... why not?