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!

@SunshineAvenue agreed! I was also trying to do a month off Twitter too as it's just depressing at the moment and I spend too long looking at it. But was checking something else and saw the DJ thread. Will keep off it!

Happy birthday @IWillWearTheGreenWillow

7.5 days down, that's 24.2% of DJ!

I thought I'd been finding it easy, but after a challenging time with an abusive DC this early a.m, I nearly reached for the mother's little helper. Managed to resist, but it can be hard if you've ever used booze for a bit of emotional support.

Thoughts to anyone struggling at the moment for whatever reason

How i have i got so much more time in the evening? All i've stopped doing is lifting a glass to my mouth! I have done some crochet (when the kitten allows), read a book, got more sleep. The kitchen is always tidy when i get up now as i don't put off cleaning up. Sad to report my knicker drawer is more jumble sale than Marie Kondo though.

Bought some berocca today, hopefully I'll get some more energy. I'm staying up far too late because DD is having trouble sleeping and not falling asleep until gone midnight every night the last week, really need her to start sleeping so I can sleep too!

I feel really organised today.

All plans done for getting back to work tonight and my knicker drawer (and towel cupboard) has never looked so good.

I know it’s not everyone’s poison, but tonight I shall be taste tasting some alcohol free alternatives.

Felt a bit tempted in supermarket. Such a huge amount of it is devoted to booze. Twice the size of the area for bread or fruit

Report back please BevMum

First up, gin alike Caleno. Pre dinner drinky, really nice and refreshing with ice and a slice and some scent tonic.

Not sure why my photos aren’t showing? Next is a dealcoholised Chardonnay. Ach , it’s disappointing, but feels And looks the part.

Send me some vibes.
I'm working late tonight, and have to drop in to the supermarket on the way home

Usually I wouldn't even be tempted, there would be no decision just habit. I really hope I have the strength.

Just ordered my non alcoholic weekend treats!

Yay, I have made it through the first week. Definitely had a few moments of wanting a nice cold glass of vino but have managed to distract myself and repeat fatty liver fatty liver fatty liver in my head enough times to remind me why I’m doing this.

Definitely a challenge but am feeling really proud of myself and am starting to really enjoy my cup of decaf tea in the evening. No weight loss for me yet but I have been stuffing my face with chocolate & cheese.

On the upside my skin is looking better and I found out today that sparkling water contains calcium which I have to take a daily supplement of so this is a win win win.

Keep it up people, this thread is so helpful in many ways.

Tonight has been a lesson - I was pretty stressed earlier by my 18 year old DS, and my not so DSIL. If it hadn’t been for DJ and this thread. I would have opened a bottle.

But I’ve talked things over with DH and my eldest son, had some food and some fancy lemonade; time has moved on and I don’t need wine anymore. Good lesson.

Day 8 ! Go us !!
My knicker drawer is still a mess but hopefully my liver is getting floppy and skinny.

I can't believe how much of a habit daily drinking was and I am sure I will have tricky days ahead but I am pleasantly surprises how little it has bothered me.

The crushed lime and mint cordial is my favourite so far.

Haven't checked in for a few days but amazed and so happy to have got to over a week alcohol free. I was pretty grumpy earlier in the week (mainly after work) and craved a glass of wine but got past it. Still having trouble dropping off to sleep but sleeping amazingly well when I do fall asleep.

Haven't loss any weight - I'll be bloody furious if I go the whole month and haven't lost any!! Feeling great though - loads more energy and so much more clear headed all the time.

Well done everyone for getting this far.

I want to cave tonight 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

Oooh @SegregateMumBev I bought the Caleno gin stuff a while ago, it's good, find I need a good couple of "shots" though to get a good flavour from it.

Also had a Pret Love bar on my way home from work. This is surely worse for me than a glass of wine....

Another day done. Knicker drawer is on the list for the weekend. Along with not trying to kill DH or anyone else who so much as looks at me the wrong way..

I've got a nice glass of pomegranate and rose cordial in sparkling water. It's very nice indeed.

I really must Marie Kondo my knicker drawer

dementedma I was like that for a few days. It seems to have mostly passed now. Hang in there.

Nightcap shot. My son ( who used to easily down a bottle of Jack a day) swears by this stuff, Celtic Soul. Currently £20 in Sainsbury’s.

Smells lovely, properly warming and spiced. Really nice to sip after a meal or at bedtime.

I have enjoyed belvoir raspberry and lemon cordial with sparkling water. It’s a bit sweet but a squeeze of time helps.

I am trying to do without low alcohol substitutes. Although might cave

@goldpendant how you feeling now ?

I have found any cravings I have had go after a glass of water or a cup of tea.

Checking in, have read the whole thread and want to join!

I started on the 2nd, so day 7 for me.

I am sleeping like the dead, and also having the weird vivid dreams. Energy is so-so in the day.

I listened to the Andrew Johnson Quit app meditation thingy last night and it was quite weird. I fell asleep before the end, and it kind of leached straight into my weird dreams

Also doing the 30 day Annie Grace alcohol experiment, so feeling like I have a lot of tools in my boozeless armoury.

Skinny floppy liver FTW!