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!

pointy - blimey - Brexit - everyone seems to have forgotten about it and moved on to Megexit or whatever it's called.

Better get on and get DJ done!

Sylvia I couldn't care less about the Royal Family. They're not my RF anyway, I'm not British. But I do work in the NHS, and no-one in my office - even the Leave voters - think things are going to get any better after Brexit.

My DDs and I no longer see ourselves having a future in this country - and they were born here. They're at crucial stages in their education, but we are steadily planning our exit. Which is sad, because we have loved the UK. So I'm sad and I intend to express that. Without overdoing it - my last hangover was 20 years ago and I'm keeping it that way.

Last night was okay chez Free. I rad my book and didn’t go to bed too early but wasn’t fussed. Still enjoying the Belvoir cordial and swerving away from AF subs.

Went for a v short run to the post office this morning and then took kids to football training. I was glad not to be hungover as it was cold and muddy and tricky getting them home in one piece as we cycled down. Then lunch, pop to local shop and now lying on the sofa. I am very tired this evening. Often I’d use the booze to push on through the tiredness but think it’ll be a 9pm bedtime tonight up bright and early for kids swimming lesson tomorrow 😬

I’m enjoying a glass of Sicilian lemon & garden mint presse - it looks and feels like wine but definitely isn’t. Sharp and fruity but not too sweet. About to have a hot bath as well for that ‘ahhhh’ relaxation moment.

Then my almost 6yo DD wants to watch The Masked Singer.

Nice to be driving to parkrun this morning with no hangover.

Am almost finished my book, which is astonishing!

And have just done some ironing - usually I dont bother too much in case I burn myself. And hey ho, I still managed to burn my thumb [ouch]

Sipping a Seedlip (its been in the house for yonks).

Agreed, Pointythings, I think I might need a drink on 31st also.

I’m finding myself thinking about wine and how I fancy a glass more throughout the day than I did before DJ...

I do think the mind gets annoyed when it’s told it can’t have something, though that’s probably just the cravings talking!!

I have tried to steer clear of food that I normally would really love a glass of wine when I could smell cooking or eating and up until has been quite manageable but DH has just suggested risotto and now a big glass of red is all I can think off...

Someone help me find my will power!!!! 😭

Last night was fine, maybe because I was all psyched up to battle Friday night.
But tonight I'm yearning a nice glass of red.
Nomorewine I totally get what you mean about the hours stretching out.

My aunt died today. She had been ill for a while .... I was find of her but not grieving, I just feel really sorry for my uncle and cousins. Life eh.

www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/health/alcohol-deaths-women.amp.html?fbclid=IwAR3elTEbjtWbOWehBjrY-yUfxAJycGtZei6tny6mn_cavbU2DXEj60gyu2A

Worth a read, if you need a bit of motivation on this rainy, cold Saturday.

Enjoying a glass of san pellegrino aranciata here.

I'm hanging on. Just. Became very grumpy around 4/4.30 - started moaning about DJ to DH, sort of hoping he'd say "Ah sack it off - have a G&T" (he's not doing DJ). But he kept quiet and eventually I talked myself back round!! Now sipping a Becks Blue and watching Paddington with DD. The moment has passed 🤞

Had a lovely dinner (vegan nachos for my veganuary challenge) and would normally have a glass of red with it, especially after a long day.

But even though i had AF cider in case I felt the need an 'alternative' , I was handed a ginger cordial and sparkling water by my husband with lime and ice and in a nice glass. It felt just like I was being handed a glass of gin and tonic or another tipple. So i think that sometimes its about all the other bits of the process. Nice glass, someone making me it just as he would an alcoholic drink.

Then I finished off dinner with vegan/gf chocolate torte with oat cream and had a cup of green tea with it. The whole meal was delicious and I don't feel like I've missed out on anything actually. Feels like I've had a Saturday night treat but managed it all without alcohol.

It becomes a thing doesn't it? That alcohol is the 'treat' that goes with the nice food. But tonight the food was a treat enough in its own right.

Might go have a bath with my new tea light holders lit up that I bought today instead of wine.

Man I could have murdered a glass of wine late this afternoon!

I pushed through with the help of a whole bag of Maltesers (family size), a fentimans lemonade and some fake Cabernet Sauvignon.

I am learning that I can sit with the craving, and it will pass by about 7pm, and I will live through it

I’ve got past the late Saturday afternoon craving period and am feeling very smug now!!

Ginger beer all the way. Earlier in the thread, someone mentioned vivid dreams - well I cannot believe how vivid mine are at the moment!

Cheers all fellow DJ'ers.
Doesn't quite hit the spot but it's not too bad

pointy didn't mean to imply that Brexit isn't important. I guess I was just reflecting the fact that after 3 years of non stop Brexit news I've hardly heard a thing about it since before Xmas. You're right that there is plenty more to come. I hope it works out ok for you and your family.

I have got over boredom induced cravings by starting a 1000 piece Jigsaw. Pretty good as distraction techniques go - requires a lot of concentration so no time for cravings. Onward DJers.

I have got

Not sure where that "I have got" came from. Phone typing gah!

Another one feeling smug because I went out for dinner and didn't have wine. Okay, so it was only a little local meal and DH wasn't drinking either, but I ALWAYS have a drink if I go out so this was quite an achievement.

Like other posters, I'm still thinking about it a lot. I can resist, but I do find I'm craving a glass of wine in the evening, although I'm sure that's just habit. I would like to see some benefits soon though - I want some confirmation it's all worth it!

Could I join in with the dry January chat please? Have been lurking and meaning to post since I saw the thread but life kept getting in the way!

I downloaded the dry January app that someone on here recommended and that has really helped. Had a strong craving earlier as had family over and would normally have a g&t or wine. No one was actually drinking though as managed to persuade my oh to do DJ too and family were driving so that helped!

I’m enjoying a glass of Sicilian lemon & garden mint presse

That sounds delicious!!

I downloaded the dry jan app but must have mistyped my password when setting it because it keeps saying my password is wrong but doesn't send the reset email when I request it, urgh

I'm finding I'm not rushing through the children's bedtimes this weekend. I would usually rush through because once they are in bed is when I start to drink but with no drink awaiting me I didn't rush and it was much nicer, put the youngest to bed first and then played a board game with DD and listened to her read for the first time in a while.

@Nowombattheinn what did you buy from the ordinary?? I love their stuff!! The caffeine solution is good for undereyes I've been using it for a couple of months now. The niacinamide is great for break outs too!

That's lovely @Natsku I feel the same. Have you tried checking your junk or spam?

Yeah I checked my spam folder, not there.

Made a new account now, have saved 45 pounds so far (nevermind I set the currency to euros, it still wants to be in pounds!)

@InvisibleWomenMustBeRead Welcome back!

Felt a bit grumpy to not have wine tonight at first but really enjoying the Robinsons Lime and mint cordial recommend up thread. Will have a nice hot drink soon I think and read in bed.

Haha. I was in the bath for about an hour and a half. Great way to not drink but I might resemble a wee dried prune

I love a bath but had got into the habit of having a glass of gin on the side as part of the “treat” so having to break that habit. Have had 2 AF beers and 2 tonics and bitters. Thank God for the latter, it is really hitting the spot and keeping me on track.