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! 🙂☕️🧃

Feeling good today in spite of a very poor night's sleep (always happens on first few days when I stop drinking).

This is not a picture of wine, it's a picture of petrol. Holly Whitaker makes the point in her book "Quit Like a Woman" (great read, by the way) that alcohol = ethanol, and that "the largest single use of ethanol is as an engine fuel". Hold that thought!

Such @TeaRose29! For those who may struggle in the days/weeks ahead, certainly on previous MN dry Jan threads, we've always encouraged people to hop back on the wagon, and not dwell on a bad/'wet' day: especially at the moment, whilst being determined and strong is great, for lots of people times are just tough. It's better to fall off the wagon, admit it, and get back on for another week or so, than feel bad about it and just lie on the side of the road ;-)

Sorry, that was meant to be yuck @TeaRose29!!

I'm starting today! Only decided yesterday to do this and had a glass of wine left in a bottle, so had that last night. I had a two month break from alcohol over lockdown 1. I honestly don't know how much better I felt! But giving it another go. I want the amazing health benefits.

Had a lousy nights sleep 😫

Tonight my DS will go to his dads and I would normally be reaching for the cocktail shaker. I predict a big dint in the leftover Xmas chocolate tonight!

I'm in I did the 100 day challenge in September felt so much better for it 😋

My DH and I are starting today. Ashamed to say last night I had a bottle of Prosecco and a bottle of red. Felt shit this morning but I think that's what I needed, one final blow out to know I can't moderate so it's cold turkey now.

I've bought some Diet Coke for tonight, not the greatest choice but I'm not going to deny myself everything for now. Small steps.

That's the wine finished, I'm starting now. Good luck, everyone.

More newcomers, hello all!

Everyone:

Don't forget to check in every day (or when you can) and let us know how you're doing.
If you're doing fine that's a good encouragement to others; if less fine, then hopefully the rest of us can help you along.
Also, because I've got my eye on you and am expecting you to report in, it'll give you good incentive.

I’m joining. I’ve never tried it before but need to lose a stone ( to fit back into my pre lockdown clothes) and improve my health. I’m trying sparkling water and herbal teas. I also might try making Virgin mary’s as a weekend treat. Fevertree on its own with lemon and ice is also at the ready. My danger point is cooking as I like a glass of wine when cooking a nice meal ( and with it and after it which is why I need to do dry January).

Please can I join! First time ever doing Dry January! Or Dry anything quite frankly !! Xx

Just said to DH shall we put a bottle in the fridge. Ooops

Doing okay. Dirty noodles for dinner, maybe some lemonade.

Wanted to have a glass of red last night and DH firmly said no! Really pleased he did as I feel great today and have been really productive. Long walk and sorted out my wardrobe.

Did fine yesterday and feel motivated. Big test tonight when we have our regular takeaway balti but I'm determined not to cave in. I've just finished my first session of yoga with Adriene which has made me feel so good. Hope everyone gets through tonight!

Finding it okay but it’s early days 👍

Was very hungover yesterday and managed a no booze day quite easily. Slept pretty well but had vivid dreams. Today I feel rough though, dicky tummy, nauseous and bad fatigue. Hoping I feel better soon. Well done everyone let's do this x

I’d like to join please! Did it last year and had lost a stone by the end of the month and felt great. It set me up for a really healthy year but have slipped back into old habits this winter with work and lockdown stress etc. Will be great to have some support this month as I’m already starting to wonder if I can face it given everything that’s going on at the moment...but I can’t handle another hangover and all the terrible eating that comes with it My go to drinks will be Becks Blue and tonic with lime...I think they have slight placebo effect but not sure if that is a good thing or not!?! Good luck everyone!

Tell me I'm not the only one who's struggling at wine o'clock witching hour on day 1?
I absolutely won't cave but it's the breaking the habit that will be the hardest.

@hashbrownsandwich, I did just turn to DH while we were making dinner and say "dry January was a terrible idea" . I am fine without alcohol, but I have been enjoying and looking forward to my glass of wine in the evenings. Will be good to have a break though.

Can I join too? This will be my third Dry January.

&hashbrownsandwich
Me too, still holding out with my tonic water. It's got to get easier right?

I failed already and drinking leftover red wine 🥴 I'll start tomorrow when there is no unopened alcohol in the house! 😬

Hang on in there, hashbrown. Find something to do that involves you using your hands/moving about a bit.

I've shifted our main meal back to 7:30/8pm and switched to quicker recipes to keep me out of the kitchen. Otherwise I'd have opened some wine at 5/6pm.

Likewise I am going to snuggle up under the duvet with a new book tonight.

I always seem to have trouble adjusting to sleep well for the first few nights, so I'll have a hot bath (with some Epsom salts) and have an early night. If I wake up in the middle of the night, I can either read my book or listen to a couple of podcasts on headphones.

I am not sure how we'll get through an AF Sunday roast (though I think there is some Af fizz left over from last year).

@hashbrownsandwich

Tell me I'm not the only one who's struggling at wine o'clock witching hour on day 1? I absolutely won't cave but it's the breaking the habit that will be the hardest.

Nope! I just said to DH 'well this was a stupid idea wasn't it!'

I'll be alright as soon as it's gets to 8pm

5-8 is my witching time!

Sits on hands

This is nice and bitter like a gin