5. How to surf the urge!

When I stopped drinking, I almost went into ‘Wine Mourning’ as I became more and more fearful of the cravings that came and went like a stormy sea, making me really sad. The thing was that I was giving all my power to that craving, letting it become an entity separate from me, making it appear untameable! Silly me! 

 A craving is an urge to perform an unwanted behaviour that lasts 2-3 minutes. Still, beyond that, it will also drive up uncomfortable emotions and feelings in the body, or a “wave” of emotions. The point of urge surfing is sitting with, being with, and confronting uncomfortable emotions, thoughts, or bodily sensations. YIKES!

So, what can we do when we can’t surf?!

Firstly, get those curiosity goggles on, and now think; 

•    how does this urge feel?
•    What are my thoughts about the urge?
•    What emotions am I experiencing?
•    What body sensations am I feeling?
•    Can I identify where the urge is located in my body?
•    What do you see could have triggered this urge? (Did something happen that sparked the urge?)
•    Is it possible to give the urge space? (Can you grant it existence, stop resisting it?)

By the time you’ve answered all those questions and WRITTEN THEM DOWN in your notebook, the urge will have passed! Result and well done YOU! 

Zoe x

P.s Jeeeeez, that person doing what they are doing in that photo makes me nervous!!