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! 🙂☕️🧃

Watching the last two Harry Potter films with dc and Dh this evening.

Trying to do 16:8 fasting which means nothing but herbal tea after 6/7pm - should make it easier to avoid the drink (and chocolate) that I graze on in the evening

I'm in too! I usually only drink at weekends but look forward to them. Being as today feels like a Monday I might get through the first week OK. Hoping to lose a bit of weight.
I've managed DJ before but think It's a lot easier in lockdown /tier 4 as not meeting up with people etc. Good luck everyone!

Can I join please?
I’ve just done the click and collect shop and have ordered Beck’s Blue and sparkling water.

Doing ok so far.

Going to join in for this month too if that's ok

I really recommend the Annie Grace Alcohol Experiment. Daily videos which break down what's going on, why you feel the way you do, what alcohol does and doesn't do for you.

I had a month off in June and felt really strong on the back of it. But 30 days for me wasn't enough to instil new habits and it didn't take long before I was back to 1/2 to 3/4 bottle of wine every day. So during January I want to think about my longer term approach. Wonder if I can manage 100 days.

I'm in too. Badly need to reset my relationship with alcohol. I am fed up of feeling tired, anxious, guilty and unproductive. I am also planning to go for longer if I can complete January. I want to be a "high days and holidays" occasional drinker rather than the habitual drinker I clearly am at the moment.

I'm in! I definitely drink too much, two small kids at home often leaves me looking for a release. Not this month though. Kickstarted with a new diet too. Feeling really positive today!

Hi folks, and Happy New Year!
I'd like to join too.
Been drinking too much for too many years and 2020 was probably a low! I'm sick and tired of the effects of alcohol on my life and want to start the year off well with Dry Jan - hoping to go beyond though.
Good luck to all!

Day 1 nearly done; went out for a plod today and am very tired. Am looking forward to not waking up dehydrated in the middle of the night.

Am working my way though Life on Mars - have never seen it!

Been a super hard day today, my DS has behaved awfully

He is in bed now and I just want to reach to the spirits cupboard and pour myself a nice vodka and lemonade. I don't think I am going to last more than a few days!

Hope everyone else is having more success!

I'm going to lurk quietly and use this thread for support and inspiration. I'm badly in need of a reset at the moment.

I have had a hot bath with a new book, and will settle down on the sofa to drink tea with my cat. First day has gone OK. 30 to go!

Me and DH are starting tmw but aiming for way beyond dry Jan. we did the same last year but it unravelled in April with lockdown (excuses excuses). I'm 40 and just don't like the feeling of alcohol anymore. My DH loves a beer so we end up egging each other on for a drink, it's not good

You've summed it up brilliantly @vintagesewingmachine - I too am fed up of feeling tired, anxious, guilty and unproductive. Add to that lot overwhelm, under-appreciated, hormonal as well as the waves of grief, I am amazed I'm not at least 6+ units down already today (couple double gins, plus large wine).

But I'm not. Tonic water on its own. Just about to do the camomile tea, which I can't stand, but it is distracting enough.

First evening down. Three just tonics. 30 days to go!

One ginger ale and one shloer.
Having an early night, DH has a small wine.
All good.
Sleep well everyone, we can do it!

I'm two coffees and a pile of parma violets in, I may not be drinking but the sugar high is interesting.

I'm tucked up in bed with a face mask and a fresh mint tea, feeling very smug. Well done everyone, day 1 over and out!

Count me in (slipped back into bad habits after a very dull time in partial lockdown). This is either year 4 or 5 for me. It does get easier each year.

We are usually slumped in front of the TV with a bottle of wine by 7/7:30...and then another...

Tonight we've been feverishly frowning/swearing at my jigsaw. TBH I am miffed that DH has started attacking it too (it has loads of black, very similar, pieces and would have easily lasted me another couple of evenings).

So a single glass of tonic water for me, and an AF Peroni for DH. To help cheer things along a bit, we permit Angostura Bitters and a glug of wine in food.

Good luck all!

I'm in. I need to be. I don't think I can do it but I'm going to give it a go. Have just downloaded the app.

Day 1 done, I may have eaten my body weight in cheese, but I drank lemonade and a very nice blended fruit juice dh concocted, which almost tasted like a cocktail. Onwards and upwards (to bed). We'll done everyone!

I've done day 1 (of my first DJ) and feeling pretty happy about it. Drank a lot of tonic water with lemon and ate far too much chocolate.

The nights nearly over, bedtime for me.

Well done everyone if you’ve managed to do today.

If not, don’t worry.... try again tomorrow.

Day 1 done and got the tea cup on the app. Absurdly chuffed! Drank slimline tonic, knitted and watched 1st episode of Black Narcissus (very good).

Just had a sleepy tea and looking forward to feeling refreshed tomorrow. Night all. X