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!

Congrats on the good news milliefiori

Last night was hard, got a strong craving for a beer, think I've hit the danger zone.

Haven't posted since day one but so far, so good.

Saturday just gone was a real challenge (as this Saturday will be. Saturday was always a drinking day for me, regardless of what the rest of the week had been like)

5lbs lost - I am very fat though! Sleep a bit better. I feel a bit more balanced and calm. No anxiety since the wine stopped!!

I'm looking to go beyond January. How far beyond I'm not sure yet.

Day 16: Sunrise. New beginnings, a fresh start each morning, The day ahead holds lots of possibilities,

Ugh, I went to bed last night at 10, with a headache and a bloated stomach. Couldn't get comfortable and so didn't sleep well. I'm feeling very groggy this morning.

Morning. Beautiful sunrise (on here.. in reality its still dark).
Day 19 here which feels like 21 is only around the corner and they say it takes 21 days to set new habits so I'm feeling positive.

I'm aware as some others might be of the weekend coming up (although I'm working Saturday so no Friday night drinking anyway) but just reminding myself that in my dangerius zones I only need to think about today. Or even right now
Just for today or this moment I wont have a drink"
Good vibes everyone

Morning all

Woke with a headache but slowly going. I'm hanging onto how I felt yesterday to put me off the booze for a very long time.

I was just watching Gail Porters programme about her anorexia and self harming and the self harming nurse she spoke to said that we all self harm in some way. That hit home! By over drinking I have been self sabotaging myself.

Morning all!

Into the danger zone today. If I can make it through today, Friday and Saturday then I’m in the clear for another week.

DP is going away on Saturday and Sunday, we’re doing DJ together so have been a good support for each other.

I’ve decided that if I feel the need to have a drink, I’ll post on here before I do. Hopefully one of you lovely people will see it and talk me out of it!

That’s interesting and true @Breathmiller.

Good luck bettyjean . Remember you only have to get through today for now. Im working til 9 but hopefully someone else will be around for you to check in with.

Thanks @breathmiller

Should be ok tonight as DP is around. Saturday night is my concern. Usually when DP is away, I’ll have a bit of me time once DD is in bed. That me time usually involves a bath (with a glass of wine), followed by a film (with the rest of the wine).

Will also keep eye out for you. Many here will help haul you right back into wagon if you feel a slip starting.

Either get af alternatives in now or (and this is what I’d do) defrost freezer/sort drawers/cupboards listening to good audiobook or podcasts etc. Ie distraction !

Just heading out work. Anyone who knows how to do links want to set up a new thread? We're very close to this one filling up. don't want to lose you all.

Jealous of all you bedtime tea drinkers. I have to get up for a wee in the night despite having last cup of tea by 7.30pm and only sips of water that. If I had one at 9pm I'd be up twice at least.

Past the halfway mar. So proud of myself that I have made it this far. Still expecting to wake up and see a transformed glowy skinned wrinkle free slim me. Which is yet to appear. Mentally I feel great, positive, clear headed and happy. Keep it up everyone

Sunshine I think your bladder gets used to drinks in the evening if you persevere. For my first couple of weeks (of DJ) I was getting up in the night, but now I’m sleeping through.

Well, everyone I think you’re brilliant. 15 whole days down is 48.3%! Sometime later today we’ll have hit the half way mark, so if we’ve got this far then I’m sure we’ve got this!

If no one has set up new thread but the time I’ve posted this I’ll do it 🙂

ATTENTION!

Thread two here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/_chat/3796884-Dry-January-2020-thread-2-keeping-it-dry?watched=1

@SunshineAvenue funnily enough I was going to post about the same-I am up at least once-sometimes twice. Last water before 7:00pm

And I am really!! needing to go-can't believe how full bladder is and then if I go (like last night) at around 1:30am then I need to go again in the early hours excuse the TMI with another huge wee.
How is that even possible?

Okay, deep breath, have got through Friday night. 17 days in.

One thing - I am feeling really fat. I feel of mentally but I must be compensating with food or soft drinks somehow.

Anyway am pleased with myself! Well done everyone!

How's everyone feeling? I fell off the dry wagon on Friday night and what's weird is I didn't enjoy it, furthermore the resulting hangover reminded me that it's not worth it. It lowered my mood and is still having an effect today! I had really enjoyed the weeks being dry. More energy, no puffy face, no water retention, much more positive mood, no anxiety etc...
I used to really love a glass of wine or two in the evening, but I've really noticed these last few weeks how much better my life and my body is without it!

Morning all
Day 27 for me but v tempted last night as DH had made a chilli so opened red wine for cooking
I need to freeze it!

Been job searching @BettyJean and had to laugh when top match for my skills came up - it is working at Bacardi!

I have a bottomless gin & prosecco brunch booked for Feb 1st and am actually feeling a bit nervous about it - weird...

Thanks for setting up new thread @paranoid

Day 21 here, been following thread since I started DJ and want to say thank you as it’s helped me so much checking in every day and seeing I’m not the only one. This is the longest I’ve been without alcohol in about 10 years....I’d like to carry on too as I can’t believe how much better I feel and how much more productive....can’t believe I’ve lived for so longer under a fog. Anyway, we’ll done everyone x

This is the longest I’ve been without alcohol in about 10 years...
@TheBlahWitchProject - that's really impressive.

Wow, it's day 21 already! The end is in sight. Having thought it made very little difference, I think I agree with BlahWitch - the fog has gone. More energy and creativity.

I knwo I will drink again but definitely not every week night. I'd rather be really selective and have a glass or two of champagne every fortnight than a daily swig of white wine.

One more week to go!

To be honest, i haven't noticed that much of an improvement in any respect. I was expecting to see some of the benefits of not drinking in my skin and energy levels which haven't actually eventuated.

I'm still exhausted, stressed and look like shite which is a function of having young children and a stressful job. At least I have a stronger sense that I'm not a problem drinker