DRY HARD 2 - DRY HARDER! Dry January continued. All welcome.

[HPLikecraft]

Shiny new thread to see us through to end of the month... possibly beyond!

KOKOing everyone.

@RaisinsRuinEverything......me, too. I'd like to carry on for a while. Am certainly not thinking that at the end of January, am going to drink.
My OH and I are planning something nice for Valentine's Day...a fancy meal etc, so I might have some champagne then. But one great thing about doing this, is that I am already reviewing my relationship with alcohol.
I can have champagne if I want, but I don't have to drink until I pass out. I could drink some af beer with it.

Thanks for the new thread and cracking title!

Day 9 for me and what's spurring need on is the fact I managed to do it in November. I can't quite believe it as I'm mid 50s and always had a tendency to over indulge. I've started walking an hour a day during the week (to work and back) and online HIIT classes at the weekends. Also doing the Fast 800 and 16:8 and I've lost 2kg so far with another 3 or 4 to go. My skin is better, sleep is good and I love the wake up feeling of having achieved another booze free day. I've just ordered a taster box of alcohol free beer from Sober Sauce so will report back after tasting. I can't bring myself to try the 0%wines and spirits, I think I'll be disappointed.

Well done to everyone, whether you're finding it easy or struggling. It's an amazing thing we are doing for ourselves 👏👏👏👏

I've just Googled Sobersauce and it looks so good! I never heard of them. I do love a good craft beer and if it's alcohol free then all the better.
In December i received a lovely Brewdog advent calendar and have only had about half of them so they are all waving at me. Sobersauce might be the solution!

@Tomcullenisahero a few friends really recommended them and then from there you can see what you like best. It wasn't cheap but I guess since I'm not spending anything on actual alcohol it's still a saving 🤣

I've spent some of my savings on a pair of floral print lace-up boots which I am almost ashamed to admit I saw on a MN banner ad. Print ankle boots are my weakness. This will be my third pair.

Tomorrow I shall celebrate the departure of Donald Trump by eating a copious amount of Haribos.

Placemarking.

Happy Day 19 all.

(Had an ADHD diagnosis today. Medication will be coming my way. Wondering if the medication will make staying off the wine a little easier)

I've spent some of the money I've saved this month on a monthly stationery subscription box. I'm looking forward to that :)

Thanks all the app tips. I might give Try Dry a go too.. have to admit I'm craving sweet stuff ALL the time but even so think I'm probably consuming fewer calories! I was also planning to get something like a FitBit..should have done that before Dry Jan so I could see the difference!

Admittedly they have probably improved a lot since I had them, but I have had a cheap Garmin and a Fitbit. I used to get really annoyed by the battery life (both in terms of constant recharging and when the battery died).

I have ended up with a Withings watch that I have to charge about once a month (annoyingly they are in France so you might have to pay duty these days). It is quite big, but I like having a device that looks like a watch: www.withings.com/uk/en/watches

It's the first time this month I've wanted one - too much drama going on for my liking :(

@RaisinsRuinEverything Count me in for Dry Feb. Going to carry on AF indefinitely - assuming I can!
Like others, I am liking being sober and my evenings not blurred by wine and my days not feeling guilty and promising myself I won't drink only to grab a bottle on way home and then feel worse. Seems quite bizarre now

Evenin’ all,

I’m really struggling yest and today.
Everything feels so bleak and hateful.

I really was having thoughts that everyone would be better off with out me.

I’m missing living life and having a purpose.

I think drinking really numbed my emotions and thoughts for such a long time because I can’t remember the last time feeling so shit.

I know it’s the lockdown and trying to homeschool children who are coped up and meant to survive in such an unnatural way. I feel so sorry for them. All they want to do is go on devices but I’m limiting devices so they can play but they are fed up and want the escapism and who can blame them?

Then with their devices and me with my wine.

Good evening 👋🏼

I'm up for Dry Feb, I actually set my goal on the try dry app for a 12 week period, taking me up to 25th March. It seemed like a good idea at the time
But, now that seems hella daunting if I'm honest. We will see! I'm definitely up for keeping up with this thread as long as there is someone else posting back.

I'm absolutely knackered, I definitely saw at least 3:15am last night. Might try my Kalms sleep tablets tonight and no bedtime mumsnetting.

I feel like a drink today. Possibly because I've had an irritating day at work. Too many people expecting me to know things that I don't - Dugee can you complete this spreadsheet all about someone else's job?

Being annoyed is a trigger for me though.

Debating what to do longer term. I have 1st Feb off work (were supposed to be going away), so thinking of making a nice roast and having wine on Sunday 31st then starting Dry Feb on 1st Feb.

I'm very sorry to hear that Lady!
Have you sought any support from the doctors or MH services?
This situation is temporary, and the end is in sight. Things will right themselves, soon hopefully.
It is utterly shit though. Shit doesn't even begin to cover it.

@Ladywinesalot - sorry to hear you are struggling. It must be a nightmare having to home school and I agree these days are really dragging with the dark, rubbish weather and the prospect of an end in sight a long way off.

Hang in there.

I am getting excited about the prospect of driving to supermarket to pick up click and collect shopping. Might treat myself to a petrol station visit on the way. That's Livin alright.

I have started obsessively checking flower beds for signs of spring. Clinging on to the hope that it will get better

I am getting excited about the prospect of driving to supermarket to pick up click and collect shopping. Might treat myself to a petrol station visit on the way. That's Livin alright.

I'm going to treat myself to a drive through hot chocolate when I go to Tesco for my click and collect. Exciting stuff.

@Ladywinesalot sorry to hear you're feeling bad. This time of year is always hard with the cold weather and short days, I think Monday was Blue Monday. Things though are improving. Days are getting longer. I agree with @ChrystalE, we will soon see signs of Spring.
Since lockdown I have tried to change some things to keep me happier. I am getting up early to do a fitness video with tracks from the 1990s I love. Watching mainly comedies on TV, reading escapist easy to read books, avoiding the news and smiling. The latter makes me look insane, but if I smile for long enough it improves my mood.

Thanks for the new thread @HPLikecraft. Sorry to read you're having a tough time.

Day 19 here. £163 and approx 8583 calories saved. I went from having the best sleep ever to now waking up a couple times a night again.

It's my birthday beginning of February and I'd like to have a couple glasses of wine with my takeaway, and then get back on the dry wagon.

I really like not having that groggy feeling hanging over me.

@Dugee - drive through hot choc - that is living on the edge.

My click and collect is a twisty drive along some country lanes - enough excitement for one night.

Hello @Ladywinesalot I'm sorry to read you're feeling bad. Please will you call your doctor and have a chat. I have felt like this myself very recently (if I'm honest since last June) and finally called the doctor two weeks ago. I feel so much better already.

@Ladywinesalot i hope you are okay and that you have family or friends that are there for you. It's all very crap at the moment and I personally feel that it's harder now to keep my spirits up than it ever was. I know what you mean about alcohol numbing your emotions, I can relate to this but i know that deep down alcohol brings me down further in the long run.
I really hope you feel brighter soon.

Sober sauce sounds great. I'll have a look.

Still dry, I feel I've broken the habit. I'm sleeping like a baby but that might be due to two kids learning from home and a teething baby, plus work 🤣

DH has changed habits accidentally, he's a social drinker so he's having a lot less too.

I think the only drink I actually really miss is my pre roast sherry.