Dry January 2020. A new relationship with alcohol. Who’s joining me?

[ParanoidGynodroid]

It’s that time again!
I did my first dry January around 5 years ago, having seen it on here. It was a great thing to do: really helped my get control of my drinking. Since then I’ve done it every year, along with at least one or two other dry months.

DJ may help you:
Lose weight. ...
Get better skin. ...
Make healthier food choices. ...
Save money. ...
Sleep better. ...
Have more energy. ...
Improve your mood. ...
Improve your general health

and make you feel virtuous!

It’s not necessarily easy though, so it’s good to have support; especially if you’re feeling week and like you may give up. We can support each other here.

Join me!

DH is nearly home. This would usually be prime beer time . I need some sort of treat.

Nice glass, chilled sparkling water, slice of lime. Good luck!

0% beers are pretty good btw. I like Bavaria and Becks Blue.

That’s a good point about the treat @WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead.
Anyone want to share their treats for when they need to replace the booze? If I absolutely need something to drink I’m reaching for cranberry juice with a squeeze of lime - the tartness is a good replacement for wine which is my poison of choice. As for treats, I’m a fan of a long hot bath, a cup of coffee on my terrace, or even a nap.
Good distractions include exercise, YouTube videos, cleaning and taking the dog for a walk.
These won’t work for everyone of course, they’re just what I find helpful. Anyone got some other ideas to incorporate?

Maybe put your booze money in a jar/account and splurge on some nice makeup, posh hair stuff, books, coffee, whatever is your thing?

I've just seen a new Bottle Green cordial - sloe and juniper. Sounds like a lovely gin alternative?

Yarn, lilgreen, yarn is my thing.

I have Bavarian AF in the fridge.

I might go out for a short run to get some endorphins going. And I might do some yoga. It all feels very... wholesome though.

I need some sort of badness.

Maybe I'll take up smoking.

Thanks to whoever suggested the app, it's really helping. Blood alcohol level is at 0% and brain cell regeneration is at 90%. Still a long way to go on the other areas but having a visual is very encouraging for me.

I'm not missing it at all at the moment (I'm more of a binge drinker than a nightly drinker and have had SHITLOADS over December so really wanting a rest). The danger point for me will be on the third weekend when I'll be itching to have 'a nice bottle of wine' at home on the Friday night.

I've already declined a works night out next week (what ARE they thinking?) and no other socials planned in so should be no other temptations.

@WankmasterBastardDeLaShithead lol you could always knit/yarn something bad......

I originally started drinking to relax and get a better night’s sleep. It worked for a while but lately I’ve been waking up so early- 4.30 or 5pm and making several trips to the loo, so no chance of getting back to sleep again. Just lately I’ve been sleeping much better without alcohol. It interferes with your brain and stops you getting the deeper sleep you need.
So all of you who aren’t sleeping well, it will sort itself out in time, keep going!

A bit late to the thread but count me in. I'm deliberately NOT trying to combine it with a diet or exercise - I've been drinking way too much so stopping that is the priority for now. If that means treating myself elsewhere, so be it.

So far so good - I've been distracting myself with jigsaws and yarn in the evening. Going to be very odd having a Friday night without a bottle glass of wine though - I genuinely can't remember the last time I did that, which probably says it all. Might need to go for an early night...

I think I have some skewed logic this evening but it’s keeping me clinging to the ‘berg so therefore I will share.

I’ve got 5 bottles of AF beer in the garage. I am focussing all my attention on not having that 0% beer and having lime and soda instead.

Focussing on not having the 0% beer is stopping me from focussing on the other stuff.

I find this very bizarre

Nomore - whatever gets you through! Doesn't feel much like a Friday tonight so not got the end of week feeling but whoever said it - week 3 or probably even week 2 will be a different story.

Have first of the 3 drinks parties this evening. They nearly always just do mulled wine which I can't stand so hopefully I won't be too tempted.

Am binge watching Gavin & Stacey at the moment - which I've never really watched before so it's a real treat. Plus also loving the fact that for the first day since before Xmas I actually feel normal again.

That cordial sounds fab Blaziken will try and find some tomorrow. Surprised how much i'm thinking about having a drink! I have a picture quiz to post here later (if i can)

Twitchy time for me but haven't had a drink and don't intend to.
How's everyone else doing?

It's Sunday night and I've got to leave for an important meeting at 5am (I keep telling myself). Why the fuck is this so hard?

It’s Friday night, lasagne for tea and a movie in front of the TV planned for later. This is going to be strange with no red wine 😭

@myhandsareverycold I don’t know but it’s a definite feeling. I’d live to overcome it, I really would. That feeling of ‘missing’ or that things aren’t quite as good somehow. It’s the oddest thing.

This is going to be a looooong month.
Is tv always this crap?
Missing my wine. Does stopping drinking cause headaches? I
I think I might just have to go to bed.

I'm back to work tomorrow after 2 weeks off so don't have the Friday night feeling and have ate all the crap left in my house in preparation for starting diet tomorrow. After New Year's effort I'm still not craving any alcohol (still hungover ) and looking at my (disgusting) body is helping this also!

Need to stick up on sparkling water and limes, my go to non-alcoholic drink.

Here with you all. DDs have gone to bed, DH is out and I'm trying to concentrate on my music. I'm so tired.

I had a glass of this tonight:
www.waitrosecellar.com/all-wines/grape-variety/riesling/leitz-eins-zwei-zero-796704
it's not Chateau de shas-oh-lay but not bad for a zero percent!

I have horrible pmt and after a long day with the DC am finding DH incredibly annoying. Could really do with a glass of wine to soothe my temper - fruit tea not quite the same!

I've eaten most of a pizza. I don't like pizza.

But haven't had a glass of wine. Must get some more interesting drinks in. Ginger tea isn't going to cut it.