Sober.........

[Fred Smith]

You’ll get there bud, 35 yrs since alcohol has passed my lips. Total dick with it, just slightly less so without it but jail was not that appealing so decision made :rofl: but definitely the right thing for ME and everyone around me!!! Total abstinence is my solution. You’re biggest challenge will be being surrounded by the drunken @rseholes that you used to be one of that will now without doubt get on every last one of your nerves :x

I sincerely wish you all the best, it won’t either be an easy, nor smooth road you’re now on

I have never drunk enough to get pissed, ever. My problem is the 'habit'. It was little but VERY often. It became just what I did in the evenings, then became EVERY evening for years. Then a cumulative effect started setting in; so I was never drunk but never totally sober.
The habit then became the most important thing in my life, at the expense of my wife and daughter and everything else.

I have a bit of an obsessive personality, so I either do something 100% for 100% of the time or not at all. Moderation is not for me, unfortunately.

I have now seen the light. It was almost an epiphany. Problem now is trying to convince the family that I have changed my way of life and thinking permanently. My brain is also now working at a million miles an hour, so I'm bored and restless.

I'm thinking of doing some kind of voluntary work in the new year to get me out and about again.

Good for you. Funnily enough I had a similar epiphany recently and have - aged 50 - just stopped biting my nails for the first time ever. (not that nail biting is even vaguely the same as problem drinking)

Why should your family believe you? You need to prove yourself, walk the walk. You can do it.

Hobbies and volunteering. Good luck.

 

[MikeyH]

Isn't your Z3 - Ferrari a hobby? It would be for me.

 

[Pondrew]

Isn't your Z3 - Ferrari a hobby? It would be for me.

Yes, I suppose it is, but it is a very lonely one. I need to get out more and 'do stuff'.

 

[Nanu]

Isn't your Z3 - Ferrari a hobby? It would be for me.

Yes, I suppose it is, but it is a very lonely one. I need to get out more and 'do stuff'.

Find something you have always fancied doing but never had the time or opportunity to do, and do it.

 

[enuff_zed]

Isn't your Z3 - Ferrari a hobby? It would be for me.

Yes, I suppose it is, but it is a very lonely one. I need to get out more and 'do stuff'.

Nothing like the same thing I know, but.............
When I retired last year it gave me the time to help other zed owners by fixing their cars at prices far below what garages charge. I know of two owners who only still have their cars because we managed to save them in excess of £2k each in repairs.
You appear to be pretty skilled in various things, so why not see if you can use those those skills to help others? Honestly, the buzz it gives is well worth it. In addition, you get to meet people from all walks of life and come away feeling you have achieved just a tiny bit to make thier lives easier.

 

[Pondrew]

Nothing like the same thing I know, but.............
When I retired last year it gave me the time to help other zed owners by fixing their cars at prices far below what garages charge. I know of two owners who only still have their cars because we managed to save them in excess of £2k each in repairs.
You appear to be pretty skilled in various things, so why not see if you can use those those skills to help others? Honestly, the buzz it gives is well worth it. In addition, you get to meet people from all walks of life and come away feeling you have achieved just a tiny bit to make thier lives easier.

I have been toying with the idea of starting a "handy Andy" type service, where I would only charge expenses to OAPs and (for instance) single parents. Just wouldn't want it to take over my life or have to deal with people taking the piss. :wink:

I also have been thinking of buying another house locally which needs renovating and doing it up (I'm very good at that). The wife is not keen as she thinks I will be doing it 24 hours a day, 7 days a week due to my obsessiveness (she probably has a point TBF).

There is a voluntary job going at our local Police station (walking distance) cleaning and 'checking' the fleet of cop cars, and taking them to and from the Lincs central workshops near Lincoln. I quite fancy the idea of that.

 

[enuff_zed]

Nothing like the same thing I know, but.............
When I retired last year it gave me the time to help other zed owners by fixing their cars at prices far below what garages charge. I know of two owners who only still have their cars because we managed to save them in excess of £2k each in repairs.
You appear to be pretty skilled in various things, so why not see if you can use those those skills to help others? Honestly, the buzz it gives is well worth it. In addition, you get to meet people from all walks of life and come away feeling you have achieved just a tiny bit to make thier lives easier.

I have been toying with the idea of starting a "handy Andy" type service, where I would only charge expenses to OAPs and (for instance) single parents. Just wouldn't want it to take over my life or have to deal with people taking the piss. :wink:

Thing is, if you're doing it for free, you can pick and choose and no-one can blame you.
Maybe start with any sheltered housing, or do you have any Alms Houses near you?

Rather than tout for business, try to find out on the quiet if anyone needs any help, then just turn up and do it.

 

[Argyll Andy]

Don’t know if you have anything similar but we have a company/organisation called Care and Repair. They provide a small level assistance to elderly/infirm/disabled people doing things like installing key boxes, handrails, shower handles seats etc. They have quite a big involvement with people getting discharged from hospital but also ongoing maintenance. I think the general rule is any visit/job shouldn’t take more than half a day.

Because they work on a voluntary basis they allocate jobs and assistance in line with the availability of volunteers. They provide a wee van (Caddy) and tools.

 

[TitanTim]

I did a spell of voluntary work last year as was worried in retirement I would be bored to tears. Think I lasted about a week before packing it in as it felt like being back at work being told what to do No.thanks.

Voluntary work is a great idea so long as your in charge of it and it's enjoyable

Tim.

 

[Pondrew]

I did a spell of voluntary work last year as was worried in retirement I would be bored to tears. Think I lasted about a week before packing it in as it felt like being back at work being told what to do No.thanks.

Voluntary work is a great idea so long as your in charge of it and it's enjoyable
Tim.

That's my worry TBH. I have been self-employed for 32 years (and still am officially) so I am now completely 'unemployable'. I haven't had a 'job' since 1992. That is why I was thinking of voluntary stuff, as I can bail out whenever I want.

Most voluntary stuff seems to be 'do-gooders' type stuff to help the vulnerable and deprived. I have never been very charitable. I don't want to do this for other people's benefit; I want to do something that benefits ME (if it helps others out that is a bonus IMO).

 

[enuff_zed]

I did a spell of voluntary work last year as was worried in retirement I would be bored to tears. Think I lasted about a week before packing it in as it felt like being back at work being told what to do No.thanks.

Voluntary work is a great idea so long as your in charge of it and it's enjoyable
Tim.

That's my worry TBH. I have been self-employed for 32 years (and still am officially) so I am now completely 'unemployable'. I haven't had a 'job' since 1992. That is why I was thinking of voluntary stuff, as I can bail out whenever I want.

Most voluntary stuff seems to be 'do-gooders' type stuff to help the vulnerable and deprived. I have never been very charitable. I don't want to do this for other people's benefit; I want to do something that benefits ME (if it helps others out that is a bonus IMO).

Buy a flight to Germany, visit [ref]Robbi-Z4[/ref], learn how to fix E89 roof issues. You'll make a fortune!

 

[TitanTim]

I did a spell of voluntary work last year as was worried in retirement I would be bored to tears. Think I lasted about a week before packing it in as it felt like being back at work being told what to do No.thanks.

Voluntary work is a great idea so long as your in charge of it and it's enjoyable
Tim.

That's my worry TBH. I have been self-employed for 32 years (and still am officially) so I am now completely 'unemployable'. I haven't had a 'job' since 1992. That is why I was thinking of voluntary stuff, as I can bail out whenever I want.

Most voluntary stuff seems to be 'do-gooders' type stuff to help the vulnerable and deprived. I have never been very charitable. I don't want to do this for other people's benefit; I want to do something that benefits ME (if it helps others out that is a bonus IMO).

I think something along car/mechanics idea suggested is definitely worth a shot. Going by your current car build your obviously talented and must enjoy it.

My voluntary work was at a historic house restoring the Victorian gardens which initially appealed but it was basically too much like hard work and a slog and just thought this isn't enjoyable, save that for doing my own garden :lol:

I know one or two retirees and they bang on about having no time for themselves are always flat out as they have basically over volunteered for all kinds of stuff. I just think why do that, you may as well just go back to work and be paid to slog yourself. I don't get it really. I think some people are just scared once they finish work and have to keep carrying on with the work ethos. Kinda feel sorry for them

Tim.

 

[Pondrew]

Buy a flight to Germany, visit Robbi-Z4, learn how to fix E89 roof issues. You'll make a fortune!

Two problems with that:....
I DO NOT fly (ever)
I don't like working on cars (too fiddly, cramped and dirty).

Other than those, it's a great idea!

 

[Nanu]

I have recently gained permission from STMBO to retire. I have been approached by one of my neighbours who has also retired who asked if I would share an allotment with him. There may be a one becoming available in the next couple of months within walking distance so going to give it a go.

Do you have green fingers?