Inspirational Quotes

Many of us draw great comfort and strength from inspirational quotes and sayings. This Sober Toolbox is a space for sharing any favourite motivational words that lift your spirits and offer encouragement and support. If you're looking for more discussion, interactions and feedback, head inside our Members Feed. That's where the real-time conversations take place.

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566 Comments
  1. linky 3 years ago

    she was unstoppable not because she did not have failures or doubts but because she continued on despite them

  2. ironjan 3 years ago

    WHATEVER DOESN’T KILL ME HAD BETTER START RUNNING.

    • Sarabelle 2 years ago

      Brilliant! Made me laugh out loud too – so true and feisty! Love it – can be applied to the demon drink and many other of life’s challenges. We can do this ♥️🎈

    • justjo 2 years ago

      this made me laugh out loud. 🙂

  3. simonejonelle 3 years ago

    Hi, I am day 2 AF… (this time)..

    I did 100 days last year, and have to admit Im the all or nothing girl, like others here.

    When I first decided to try AF it was because I realised “I like the sober me more” .. that hasn’t changed.

    So Im back – day 2 AF and cant wait to feel the strength that grows as I count the days..

  4. ironjan 3 years ago

    I don’t want a never ending life, I just want to be alive while I’m here,
    and I don’t want to see another night lost inside a lonely life while I’m here.
    lyrics by Strumbellas

  5. mavis77 3 years ago

    She remembered who she was and the game changed.
    Nothing changes when you change nothing
    This is Day 4 for me.

    • Fantail74 3 years ago

      Like that – she remembered who she was and the game changed. That’s one for the journal!

    • ironjan 3 years ago

      So true mavis77. if we want things to change then we have to make it happen.
      congratulations on your decision & good luck on your journey.

  6. BernieJ 3 years ago

    It is great to have found you all …
    This saying keeps me working on this new life
    “ If you don’t drink you will change .
    If you don’t change you will drink . “

    • ParadiseDuck 1 year ago

      Yay yes!

  7. Time2BReal 3 years ago

    “That’s the problem with drinking, I thought, as I poured myself a drink. If something bad happens you drink in an attempt to forget; if something good happens you drink in order to celebrate; and if nothing happens you drink to make something happen.”
    ― Charles Bukowski, Women

  8. Mara 3 years ago

    “The most courageous person you’ll ever meet is the addict living each day saying no to their addiction.”

  9. Debagain 3 years ago

    I keep telling myself that things wont change if things dont change.

  10. Lizzy66 3 years ago

    For me cutting down or only drinking at the weekends means you’re doing the hardest part – ie going sober days 1 to 5 every week on repeat and never actally getting to reap the full benefits of being alcohol free. For me stopping for good is the only way to achieve this. Have found a couple of alcohol free “gins” which I have at night with grapefruit tonic. Tastes like the real deal and I can still enjoy being with people while they drink wine.
    Day 5 and feeling strong 💪

    • macsma 3 years ago

      This is me sadly! But doesnt the AF gin which tastes like gin just make your body still want alcohol?

  11. Manny 3 years ago

    He said “One life on this earth is all we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be at the very least we are fools if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can”.
    Frederick Buechner.

    • JettsMum 3 years ago

      Love that. So very true

  12. LadyQuig 3 years ago

    “If you say yes to one thing, you’re saying no to something else. So if you say yes to a drink, what are you saying no to?”

    • Atawhai 3 years ago

      Excellent. Thank you

  13. DaveH 3 years ago

    You don’t drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.

    • macsma 3 years ago

      Like this one !!

  14. DaveH 3 years ago

    “When you feel like quitting, remember why you started.”

  15. Pippin 3 years ago

    Kia Ora, Day 11 AF after many years of trying. I’m now on antabuse which does work!
    My favourite quote is from Rumi: The wound is the place where the light gets in.

  16. jennyallan 3 years ago

    Hi everyone. I just joined this community today, at 38 days AF. My favourite quote and the one that convinced me that moderation really wasn’t going to work for me was this one from F. Scott Fitzgerald (author of the Great Gatsby) and quoted in Annie Grace’s book, This Naked Mind:
    “First you have a drink, then the drink has a drink, then the drink has you”.

    • LiveLifeNow 3 years ago

      Love that! Thanks for sharing.

    • ironjan 3 years ago

      that’s a good one. i’ve seen that one before. i’m here for the same reason. there is no moderation for me with alcohol. welcome to the family. i love it here and find
      a lot of strength here and hope you do to.

  17. ironjan 3 years ago

    “you just can’t beat the person who never gives up” babe ruth. i am going to be that guy.

  18. Peter 3 years ago

    I think I read this here. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The 2nd best time is now.

  19. SarahD 3 years ago

    “This too shall pass” when you get cravings

  20. highersource 3 years ago

    after 755 days of sobriety,the long dark nights and blurry mornings seemed to have changed to clean clear mornings,a tidy house and clean car,organised paperwork,bit cant help the issue of being a rarity in a alcohol centred culture,a drive to a beach with clean water for a long swim seems to work wonders to calm the mind from the `raw living`mentioned this morning.

  21. DaveH 4 years ago

    “It’s OK to look at the past, but don’t stare.”

    • AprilsFool 3 years ago

      Oh I like that one!

    • Nitanoo72 3 years ago

      Love this and will remember it regularly 😁

  22. Nancy 4 years ago

    A quote I really like, and think about when I find myself wanting to have a drink: the pain of caving (ie as in ‘caving in and having a drink) is greater than the pain of craving’. In other words – take great pride in what you’ve achieved by making the decision to give up alcohol and whatever number of days it is you have been sober – and don’t make yourself have to start all over again! 🙂

    • erinb 3 years ago

      This is a great quote thank you. I am on day one and looking for something as a quick reminder. This is perfect!!!

  23. Lizard 4 years ago

    I’m on day 22 sober after drinking about a bottle and a half of wine most nights, more in the weekend and none on AF days. I was not remembering the last few hours of each night and
    being rude on occasion to friends when drunk, not the kind of person I wanna be. Listening and reading people’s stories has been so helpful, I can’t believe how many people experience what I’ve experienced and learning more about the damage alcohol and the industry is causing is also very motivating and helped me change my mind set about alcohol which has made being sober easier. Lots of great books out there I’m working through. My whanau and friends have also been super supportive. Ive found non alcoholic wine has been good to help with wine o’clock and when going out with friends who drink although I m not sure if this is regarded as a ‘good’ strategy, it does cost too so not saving as much money. I’m doing dry July so not sure what happens after July, still figuring that out, i can’t go back to how I was drinking and given safe levels of drinking is not alot of wine and now they’re saying there’s no safe amount I’m guessing I’m best not to drink at all, I don’t seem to have an off button like other people, it’s all or nothing! Not drinking again seems very scary even though I know how damaging alcohol is, so I try and focus on one day at a time. Good luck everyone with your journies and thank you all for helping me with mine.

    • notreallyliving 3 years ago

      hi there. brand new here, just joined today. related all too well to your post. just wondering if you’ve had any luck. I, too, am and “all or nothing with no ‘stop” sensor” kinda drinker. I am realizing the moderation trigger is simply somehow missing from my brain. if I have one, im having the full bottle, or two. hoping you’re doing well. xx

    • Anonymous 4 years ago

      I totally get the all or nothing. 🙁

  24. LovelyGram 4 years ago

    “Don’t look back, we’re not going that way” I sometimes feel discouraged, then I remember this. It helps.

    • kitkat123 4 years ago

      This is a favourite quote of mine too.

  25. AuntyJ 4 years ago

    “To sober up seems to many like making life “so serious,” as if seriousness precluded joy, warmth, spontaneity, and fun. But there can be a delusional, blind quality to non-sober festivities. To have our eyes open soberly with all our senses and memory intact allows some of the most rewarding, soul-nourishing, and long-lasting pleasures possible.”
    – Alexandra Katehakis

  26. Jenn 4 years ago

    On day six, no wine! Feeling tired, a bit of a headache. Other than that, feeling good and proud. I was drinking a bottle sometimes bottle 1/2 of wine a night.
    Have even had some black out moments…. this scares me. Not putting a time frame on quitting… Going day by day, changing up my routine, asking for support when I feel I need it. Asking for support is the hard part for me as I was/am embarrassed by how much I was drinking.

    • Andit 4 years ago

      I was so embarrassed and ashamed every morning as I scrubbed at my stale alcohol smelling mouth! yet would get right back on it the same evening… I made every alcohol is brilliant joke going and turned everything into a reason to drink yet was so desparate to be free of the hell ish routine I was trapped in… Day 18 today and do feel different than when I was drinking but happier and can look in the mirror and feel proud.

    • SeekingChange 4 years ago

      me too, this is day 1

      • Andit 4 years ago

        I hope it goes well and keep reminding yourself why you are doing this! I feel so good about myself despite withdrawal headaches and being myself (not pished). I am getting used to the sober social me and am quite liking her so far!

    • happi2020 4 years ago

      Congrats! Day 6 for me too. I had the same bottle of wine a night habit. Today’s the first day I’ve felt really tired! Although I haven’t eaten very healthy….given in to some sugar cravings. Looking forward to making it an official sober week tomorrow. Go us!

  27. Nelly 4 years ago

    Hello everybody
    Very new to this.
    I have been drinking a bottle of wine every night for almost 3 years. I am going on my 3rd day of being sober. I am loving the inspiration here and I look forward to reading about everyone’s different journeys. It’s a good feeling not feeling alone.

  28. Minesawater 4 years ago

    Day of sobriety – I recently heard this quote in a Michael Jordan documentary -“Never project your past in to your future”. I think i’ve been doing those most of my adult live – hence my drink problem

  29. Minesawater 4 years ago

    Day of sobriety – I recently heard this quote in a Micheal Jordan documentary -“Never project your past in to your future”. I think i’ve been doing those most of my adult live – hence my drink problem

  30. chardy 4 years ago

    Hi. New to this. 3 days not drinking.
    Been through a lot.
    But my fog that have been in has lost a partner & family that means the world to me & now has come the time to sort my shit out!!

    • Coen81 4 years ago

      I’m not at day 1 yet but at risk of losing my husband and family. I hide it. I cant tell him. He knows its something but not what it is. I dont know how to stop but I dont want to lose everything.

      • LaBush 4 years ago

        Are you still here, Coen81?

  31. Cindy9176 4 years ago

    The sea breeze is soothing my soul, to cleanse away the toxicity of my alcohol scream.

  32. SLMS 4 years ago

    First day here and 0 days sober. Today should be the first day of the rest of my life

    • Scolon 4 years ago

      How are you going? It is my first day on here too although have not had a drink for 2 days. Pretty nervous about the journey ahead.

      • Peter 3 years ago

        Nice. I wish I knew about dt’s ahead of them happening. For me it was horrible hallucinations. It lasted about a month or more but I think that uncommon. Looking back I wish I had checked in somewhere. So wish you the best. I don’t know how you feel about prayer but I pray God will help you and any who suffer. Even if we bring it on ourselves. Peaceful thoughts

  33. travelgal 4 years ago

    Hi from Sydney. Day 33 for us and we are hopeful this is for life.?

  34. Sunshinydays 4 years ago

    I Am Not Defined By My Relapses, But By My Decision To Remain In Recovery Despite Them.

  35. Dee Mac 4 years ago

    Looking at life with a clear view …
    Instead of through a fog …
    Makes human emotion a beautiful experience, in pain or pleasure, a lesson to be valued and memories to be cherished.

  36. roxy22 4 years ago

    Hi I’m new I’m back to my old drinking pattern hiding the wine topping the bottle up so it looks I have had one glass instead of a bottle and half.. I feel frightened not to have wine in my life…But I don’t want it in my life..

    • Sunshinydays 4 years ago

      It is a very addictive. You are not weak.

  37. Delta007 4 years ago

    Welcome to my sober and clean day 56 ! I am so grateful for my friends and the clinic family that have saved my life!

  38. Gojugirl75 4 years ago

    If I have just one I’ll be back where I started. Where I started is wishing I was where I am today.

  39. ozzie 4 years ago

    From another post (apologies, I didn’t note down the original poster):
    “No one regrets being sober”.

    • mysoberself 3 years ago

      This is so good and just what I needed today. Thank you.

    • travelgal 4 years ago

      So true! Nothing to regret!?

      • houghton2020 4 years ago

        LOVE this!

  40. kristen2321 4 years ago

    Hi all. Brand new and 2 days sober. Scared and trying to be strong. A work in progress!!

    • Sunshinydays 4 years ago

      How did you go?

  41. swp 4 years ago

    Sixty days sober is a great day to say if I can do 60 then lets go for 90 but remember one day at a time matters most.

  42. Delta007 4 years ago

    Good morning world… today is day 18 of my brand new clean life ! My morning anthem is from Frankie goes to Hollywood… Relax don’t do it, when you wanna go do it… the rest of the words I can’t even admit to knowing !

  43. Linda 4 years ago

    This is one of my favorite quotes that reminds me how precious life is.
    THE PRESENT
    Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery,
    life is a gift that’s why it’s called the present!

  44. KateA 4 years ago

    My favourite saying at the moment is a Chinese proverb: ‘The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.’ It makes me feel really positive about changes that I am making at the moment in my life and not regret the past.

    • Picklepod 4 years ago

      I love your Inspirational Quote! So true… Thank you for posting 🙂

  45. Lynn 4 years ago

    From Jason Vale’s book “Kick the Drink… Easily”:
    “A craving is nothing more than an internal expression of they way you perceive a product; perceive it [alcohol] for what it really is and you won’t have the craving.”

    • Lynn 4 years ago

      *the* not *they*

  46. RB2019 4 years ago

    Just read this in the Sober Stories:

    Matt: Be kind to yourself. You might slip up. You might question yourself. But remember why you made the decision to quit and keep going towards your goal. Be patient. It takes time but gradually things get easier. You can do it!

  47. dswilson1209@yahoo.com 5 years ago

    You cannot control others but you can control whether or not you drink. This was said at a recent AA meeting and I say it every day!

  48. Saoirse 5 years ago

    From “Taking the Leap” Pema Chodron.
    “There was a story widely circulated a few days after the attacks of Sep. 11 2001, that illustrates our dilemma. A Native American grandfather was speaking to his grandson about violence and cruelty in the world and how it comes about.He said it was a if two wolves were fighting in his heart. One wolf was vengeful and angry and the other wolf was understanding and kind. The young man asked his grandfather which wolf would win the fight in his heart. The grandfather answered “the one that wins will be the one I choose to feed”

    I so love that because it is so true of every situation we can come across, ultimately we choose how we will be. What we foster and nurture grows whether it is good or bad.

  49. memejacobs 5 years ago

    “You don’t lose if you get knocked down. You lose when you stay down”.
    Muhammad Ali

    • noboozeanymore 4 years ago

      Love this!!!!!

    • joaninha 4 years ago

      This was just what I needed to read today after a setback after two weeks to day one again. I will not give up on giving up! thanks for the inspiration ?

  50. Noora 5 years ago

    “Numbing the pain for a while will make it worse when you finally feel it.”

    • Tara Felker 4 years ago

      I love this! I’m sober going on 8 days now and I feel so great for the first time in 10 years without a bottle in my hand can I mean hard liquor. I feel wonderful already I know it could have been longer I relapsed. Thank you for sharing this and if you don’t mind I am sharing this.

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