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! 🙂☕️🧃

Hmm 100 days @InTheseUncertainTimes 🤔🤔I'm mentally going to open the door to that idea just a tiny chink for now. Googled it. That would take us to Sunday 11th April. From my experience in June last year when I also quit for 30 days I know that a month isn't long enough to reset my habits.

But for now just concentrating on this month!

DJ is going ok here, but I'm so bored of lockdown now that I'm spending a lot more time in bed than usual. Went to bed at 9:30 last night and didn't get up till 7:30. There is just nothing to do apart from work (wfh) and I stick to my hours because I don't feel like doing anything extra. Tbh I'm thinking about meeting my best friend as soon as lockdown ends and getting smashed, though I know it's not in the spirit of DJ! I admire those of you who are thinking about 100 days!

Day 13, still going, like others have said, I've come this far, I want to see it through now. Dh and I are doing frugal February next, so that will probably feature not buying any alcohol except for planned occasions, which will help with moderation.

I'm definitely sleeping better, and feeling less bloated and sluggish. My knitting is coming on a treat as well lol!

Can we just talk about how many domestic appliances have crapped out for people on this thread though? It's like they're taking some kind of offence to dry January!

@katmarie dishwasher now working again. It's about the only excitement in my life.

Upstairs shower still leaking. Cannot afford to fix at moment and don't want people in house anyway.

Used up about 10 items on online shop panic buying drain unblocked and appliance cleaners.

Now everyone is moaning that there are no crisps or biscuits as these had to be ditched to make room for caustic soda.

At least not having to include booze in online shop now. Always look on bright side

@CrystalE I know what you mean, my shopping was nowhere near as expensive this week as it normally is. I've just booked a bulky item collection for my local council to take my dead freezer away. It's definitely not coming back from the dead.

Hello again - I had meant to start DJ last Monday but what with the government announcement it all fell by the wayside! However I did start yesterday so while you lovely lot are almost half way through, I have a long way to go as plan to keep going until fri 12th Feb. I managed 4 weeks off in November so pretty sure I can do it again!

Well done to everyone on getting this far

@BrassicaBabe
I'm really interested to know how you could tell a month is not enough to reset.
I think I feel the same because, whilst I don't think I've got a huge problem with alcohol YET (none of the symptoms an alcoholic would have at this stage of an alcohol detox) I also know that if I open a bottle of wine I can't stop drinking it (really quite fast) 😳 until it's gone. Will this feeling of having to have more and not being able to stop pass if I detox and if stay off it long enough because I've been like this with alcohol for as long as I can remember !

He has to drink in the freezing cold?! Smoking fair enough but drinking? Poor guy, cmon. It's not that long to go now is it?!

He can always go to his own house if he wants to drink and smoke but if he's at mine then he goes to the summer house. He says he quite likes it in there because it's quiet.

Hi @time2changeit I say that one month wasn't long enough for me because once I did start drinking again it was a slippery slope to the same habit I had before. I'd like to get to the stage that I could take or leave a drink. At the moment once I open a bottle I also want to finish most of it. Every day I also read somewhere that it didn't matter if you were an alcoholic or not. But if you are asking yourself the question then you've got a habit that you want to deal with. A bit heavy. But it makes a bit of sense. Also, they way alcohol works, it's chemical make up, what it does to your body, it's made to make you want more.

@katmarie

Day 13, still going, like others have said, I've come this far, I want to see it through now. Dh and I are doing frugal February next, so that will probably feature not buying any alcohol except for planned occasions, which will help with moderation.

I'm definitely sleeping better, and feeling less bloated and sluggish. My knitting is coming on a treat as well lol!

Can we just talk about how many domestic appliances have crapped out for people on this thread though? It's like they're taking some kind of offence to dry January!

My washing machine broke free of its cabinet and made a bid for freedom across the kitchen floor during its spin cycle the other day

Day 13 here still going strong

I failed. Succumbed. 13 days.
I poured me and Dh a glass of red. 🍷
We were booking beef casserole, so I might add a bit to that.

I've had the wierdest day. I have a major work issue with HMRC. That I rang 3 times. Plus the 6 other times I've called.
In the end I lost my cool and shouted : I've already done that.
They infuriate me.

I thought I was doing ok. But it ended today.

I think it's harder this year as there is bugger all to do due to lockdown.

I was looking through my diary for last year and I was out and about during DJ - late nights at museums, meeting up with friends for a hot chocolate and a cake early evening after work, dim sum for Chinese NY, after work pizza on a Friday, cinema trips.

I think if we get though DJ this year then we've done really really well.

Telephone calls to HMRC is enough to drive anyone to the bottle @Oblomov20 !

@InTheseUncertainTimes I feel exactly same as you re what to so after the month is up. I'm feeling so much better in so many ways that I almost dont miss drinking.. but I can't get my head around it being a long term thing although I'd I'm honest that might be the only way for me. Just dont knowing I can trust myself to moderate.
Guess I'll have to see how I feel once the month is up...

Thanks Brassica

Good topp have a quick catch up read. Sorry to the casualties, it is tough this year.

For me I've completed day 13. I think it's odd that I miss it so much when it dies nothing for me, but I do and it's a struggle. I'm finally, on day 14, going to work on that diet I ment thi start 14 days ago. I just couldn't do it alongside DJ to start with - will see if I don't just spontaneously combust out of frustration!!!

I was very tempted yesterday after an infuriating day at work but I just kept thinking I'm not letting that person be the reason I've drank.

Then this evening when I got in, it was a good hour before I thought about a glass of wine, dismissed it immediately but was pleased that it wasn't the first thing I thought of when I got in (old me poured a glass as soon as I got through the door!).

Day 13 - I'm astonished that I have managed this.

Day 13 done by the skin of my teeth. Had a sudden wave of longing for a drink and nearly cracked. Drank a huge tumbler of lime and tonic in almost one go and realised I was thirsty more than needing alcohol. Birthday tomorrow. Cant decide whether to drink or not...

I broke my streak yesterday, but I clambered back on board today.

Good luck, everyone. Keep going!

@dementedma, hold fast! I have started to wonder why we mark so many nice events and celebrations with something that sends toxins to our livers and gives us wrinkly skin. It’s so ingrained in the culture. Happy birthday for tomorrow!

Day 13 and still here ☕

I have almost lost the giant column on my drink progress graph that was NY eve (drinkaware app).

@CoronaIsWatching -washing machine Strictly sounds far more exciting than Er25 on dishwasher.
@Tazers - how our lives have changed. Even going out for a takeaway Costa would be nice now. Am hopeful that will have been vaccinated by my birthday.

Haven't succumbed to alcohol but I am eating a lot. Just had to tell myself off for eating Nutella from the jar.

@Dugee me too. Totally stuffing my face. I’m not missing alcohol that much because I’m replacing it with ridiculous amounts of snacks.