DRY JANUARY 2021! This way please... all welcome

[HPLikecraft]

It’s that time of year again... the late Christmas present to our livers!

You may be thinking of doing Dry January to:

*detox a little after seasonal overindulgence, or
*help you cut down a bit generally, or
*help you start to get out of a harmful alcohol habit, or
*just be a bit healthier for a month...

It’s good for all of those things!

I find the MN DJ threads excellent for support, encouragement, sharing info,‘we’re in this together’ camaraderie, suggestions for grown up drinks, aversion techniques and just fun.

This is my fourth year of DJ and I swear it has made all the difference to me; it was so hard first time, but having succeeded I did dry June and October after that, and do so every year. It has broken my habit, banished the craving and reset my relationship with booze.

I won’t be finding DJ too difficult this year, but some will. Hopefully this thread will help.

Come climb aboard the wagon! 🙂☕️🧃

Thanks for the other quit lit recommendations! The other person I quite like reading about is Millie Gooch. She was a bit like I was as a young 'un! A bit too good at big nights out!

@CrystalE, I bought my male, teetotal, (former owner of a drinking problem), relative the Simon Chapell book, which I think is called The Sober Survival Guide. Apparently it's very good and good to have a male perspective which is very unpreachy. Might be a good about for your DH? It isn't just for men obviously, but when I was looking at quit lit for my relative, I found a lot were "oh I was always drinking wine on playdates with the kids...or, I got myself into dangerous situations with untrustworthy men", which, although good points, probably wouldn't have been all that helpful for my older, male relative. I also bought him The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober though, as it is a good book.

Thanks for starting the thread OP!! I am feeling better already going to put £1 in for every day I'm AF. Did it on my 100 day challenge and DH matched my efforts and I've ordered myself a quality cosy coat with the money! I haven't spent as much on much on myself in years.

I started yesterday. No problem as I was definitely ready for a break from the wine after a couple of very boozy days. I think my resolve will be tested on Wednesday/ Thursday- I'll have had a few days off it and will be feeling good and like I have 'earned' a drink. This thread will hopefully keep me strong. Will definitely get in some nice alcohol free drinks as a treat - doubt water and cups of tea will cut it.

Day 3 for me
I just realised 1st Feb is on a Monday so I guess I'll be dry until at least Feb 5th

Well I had a fabulous 20 minute bath (can't remember my last wallow instead of a shower) with my Kindle and went to bed just before 10 to read a few more chapters.

Of course I was then too hot for the duvet! I seemed to have had a fairly interrupted sleep (but must have been 'dead to the world' after about 5am because DH and I slept in until 9:30!). I've dabbled with DJ enough to know that this is a blip and I'll be ok by next week.

I've not really found a book that resonates. It's as if I have a part of my brain that hates to see a half full bottle; it needs emptying. If anything, I drink less socially and am not especially tempted by the spirit cupboard.

Good morning all, well done for getting this far.

Don't forget to check in and let us know how it's going.

@madmumofteens good idea about treating yourself!

Thanks for the quit lit recommendations too, everyone; hopefully they can help a few people.

First two days went well, I was ready for it. Friday will be the challenge after a week back at work. And if schools close that will be an added challenge!!! Soft drink delivery arriving today so I have some treats for Friday at 6pm which will hopefully help.

@TeaRose29 thank you for the recommendations, I'll get onto it today downloading.

Day 2 here and feeling very pleased. I'm just waiting for the onslaught of withdrawal symptoms.

I've got a stressful week coming up (NHS and we are doing vaccine hubs this week) but I'm determined not to cave.

I worked out last night that going by Decembers average, if I don't drink I. January I will have saved 45,000 calories and £400 in a month 😵

Good morning!
Had terrible nights sleep for the last two, I think it's more down to other stress than no alcohol but it could be a factor.
Today is taking down the tree and getting on top of some paper work (wfh)
I feel like I've paid handsomely for daring to take a few days off, the house is a tip!

I agree that, if you can afford to, it is a good idea to treat yourself.

There is a big bunch of flowers with my name on waiting to celebrate day 8!

Thinking back, aside from poor sleep, I don't get withdrawal symptoms.

For very heavy drinkers, they advise people to seek medical advice and not attempt "cold turkey".

Proving you can do this really resonated with me @chuffedasbuttons.

Woke up this morning with an absolute banger of a headache, all sinus pain. Having some painkillers and I'm going to have a vitamin seltzer in case it's related to being dry.

Should make tonight easier as I hate having a drink when I'm under the weather.

I've treated myself to some new skin stuff, which I do need. It is Lancome and more pricey than I normally buy, but is lovely to use and makes my skin feel lovely. I am anticipating GORGEOUS skin by the end of this .

Day 3 today but I'm still feeling shite so have been for a covid test at least it's keeping me off the drink.

My skin is terrible at the moment and I'm looking forward to seeing an improvement. A friend of mine stopped drinking in October - not even a heavy drinker always within guidelines and her skin is amazing.

Sunday roast challenge today! I love listening to music and opening a bottle of wine while I'm prepping and fussing over the roast so I'm going to prep it all this morning and I've got a back up AF fizzy bottle of Chardonnay someone recommended in the fridge if I really get that craving!

Hoping to save that for further into the month though!

Waiting to see if in fact my children are returning to school on Tuesday. Our school is due to be open currently but whether it will happen or not who knows. I'm a bit concerned about DJ if home schooling whilst trying to WFH. Will be a real test!

Have lovely days people!

@hashbrownsandwich your name inspired me to make rosti this morning! I could happily sink a packet of hash browns and couldn't get them out of my head having read your posts!

They were delicious so thank you!

Haha @Impatientwino I have to say my name is inspired by my own hangover cure.

First two days were ok. If anyone is a beer drinker like me (hello lockdown 15kg) then I can recommend Aldi's no alcohol beer - Low Profile. Had one last night at the usual time I crack open a drink and it did the job. Tonight will be harder I think as I often get through a bottle of wine while making dinner and dreading Monday morning. I need a hobby that involves using my hands - in the past it's been biting my nails but not to be recommended.....

Second night of night sweats for me. I'm not a healthy drinker. But wouldn't have put myself in the categories I've reads on the internet that brings around night sweats....

Someone suggested the Try Dry app. I've downloaded it and after 2 days the amount of money and calories saved is an incentive, to improve my bank balance and weight. It it definitely inspiring me to keep going.

Oh thanks for the beer recommendation! I don't drink a lot of beer, but I do like it and the alcohol free stuff is so much nicer than alcohol free wine!

I'm on day 2 and feel fine. I've also downloaded the Try Dry app.

Might treat myself to some of the quit lit recommended on here too.

I can recommend Aldi's no alcohol beer - Low Profile

Thanks for that, I’ll give it a go. I’ve tried:

Beck’s Blue - very nice, best I’ve tried
Heineken 0% - OK, but not quite as nice as Becks
Stella Artois 0% - not quite as nice, slightly sweet (which I don’t like)
San Miguel 0% - horrible

I plan to try Leffe next which I’ve just seen in Tesco.
I like a nice strong, dry flavour

Thanks OP - 2 nights done !!
Am feeling very motivated after reading everybody's updates. I'm going to add loads of nice soft drinks to the shopping order tomorrow and have a look at a couple of apps. Well done everyone ! 👍🏻

Hello do you mind I join? I'm starting dry jan tomorrow so a bit late to the party! I did dry lockdown in November and didn't find it too bad

I don't want to preach but be aware of what you drink instead of alcohol.
If you need to break the habit of drinking, always having a bottle of AF beer or pretend gin in your hand isn't going to help with that. You'll just head straight back on to the hard stuff because you won't know how to do it without a glass in your hand.

Same with a lot of soft drinks, don't switch an alcohol habit for a sugar one.

Plonque, I agree. Have fired up the soda stream today to have sparkling water with lime and lemon chunks in it. I'm not buying any alcohol free stuff, it defeats the object of saving money for me.