DRY JANUARY 2022! Been overindulging? Drinking crept up? Want to begin a healthy new you? 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 fifth 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 most years. It has broken my habit, banished much of the craving and reset my relationship with booze. I imagine it's added years to my life.

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

Throw your hat in the ring, pull up a chair and let's do this together. 🙂☕️🧃

The DJ2022 Wagon creaks to a start in just 5 days, but always stops for latecomers 🙂

@ItsAllAboutTheLighting oh jeez!! Well done for not reaching for the wine though, I'm not sure I'd have been as strong as you.
Leave DH to cope with them and go have a long soak 🛁

Day 5 done - going to have a bath, read a book and then watch Anne; and then to bed. I’ve kept myself very busy these evenings. So all good. @itsallaboutthelighting I’d have not been as restrained as you.

Day 4 edging to a close.
I’ve been grumpy this evening , so damn tired and preoccupied with not being able to drink even though I actually don’t want to. Makes no sense the grip alcohol has on us does it.
Can’t wait to get in bed with new bedtime tea and new book on kindle

@footcushion - your situation sounds awful. I have no good advice but just wishing you well and hope you find a way through it.
@ItsAllAboutTheLighting - also sounds awful - stay strong ....

Day 5 here - just spent ages doing an online shop only to accidentally empty basket before checking out and having to redo. I really hate online grocery shopping - actual supermarket trips used to be a way of staving off winter evening boredom. Now it feels like I just sit at home all day staring at screen and then spend rest of evening staring at different screen.

Still dry. Not feeling too tempted at the moment.

Checking in
Day 4 edging to a close. I’ve been grumpy this evening , so damn tired and preoccupied with not being able to drink even though I actually don’t want to
Me too
Hopefully can stay strong when DP cracks open the red tomoz. If I could stick to one glass I'd be OK but I always end up drinking more

[quote Peanut82]@ItsAllAboutTheLighting oh jeez!! Well done for not reaching for the wine though, I'm not sure I'd have been as strong as you.
Leave DH to cope with them and go have a long soak 🛁 [/quote]
Seconded!

I don't know if it's been mentioned on here but alcohol plays havoc with my digestive system. I went swimming earlier (I say that loosely as it was more of a paddle and a float and a good 10 mins in the steam room 😁) and I caught sight of myself sideways in my swimsuit - my stomach has deflated! I haven't actually lost any weight but the alcohol bloat has gone. At risk of TMI, I'm less windy too.

I actually wish I'd taken a selfie, when I was hungover on NYD, with my puffy face, only so I could take one a week later and really notice the puffiness going.

This is interesting
www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/expert-shares-what-happens-you-25857706

Day 4 done and I’m pleased with myself and not tempted at all

Day 2 done for me, ready for day 3 tomorrow!

Good article @Runninghorse

Let's not be the ones who cave in 7 days. We can do it!

I know that if I can get through the first weekend, I'm through the toughest bit and knowing that motivates me. Week 2 is when most of the benefits of not drinking become noticeable too.

Hi all 😊 day five for me, I'm sleeping rather badly but this happened to me last year also!
I know this rubbish sleep will pass though!
Got my first test at the weekend. DH has invited some friends over for dinner, I really didn't want to socialise this month but he's asked them anyway 🙄 so will just have to put my big girls pants on and prove to myself that I actually don't need to drink around friends to have a nice time!!

The weekend will be a big test for me too. No socialising planned but I'm working and I do like to unwind after work on a weekend with wine 😕
I might have a look at some of the AF drinks that have been recommended on here.
Has anyone found a nice alcohol free wine?

Day five done and I’m pleased. Things are still difficult at home, but not drinking is one thing I can control.

That sounds very stressful @ItsAllAboutTheLighting! Well done for not succumbing.

Must be something in the air - I ended up having a big row with DH this evening. Normally would have stropped off and opened wine in temper but I didn’t tonight. Cooked dinner and had a glass of water. Then had a bedtime tea and a few chocolates watching tv.

@ItsAllAboutTheLighting and @Peridot1 well done for getting through a stress test without succumbing - it'll make your resolve to stick to DJ even stronger.
Well done everyone for getting through another day - particularly the first-timers and those who are doing this on their lonesome.

Had a real wobble earlier that there was nothing to look forward to to mark the evening. BUT. I had a bath, then a Bud Zero (which my husband likened to methadone for me- saying i had no will power ) and a few chocs and did it. Lights out soon. Day 5- done! We can do this. I want rid of my belly !

Well, I had dozed off but woke up as desperately needed a wee . Hope this is the bloat going.

Hey you lovely lot
Just checking in. Day 5 done and dusted. I'm getting into the swing of things and also my other ticks - removing contacts every night and skin care routine morning and night. I hope I sleep better tonight as this still eludes me. I'm enjoying feeling significantly more bright eyed and bushy tailed in the morning despite lack of sleep. Still weeing like the proverbial race horse.
What channel do I find The Tourist?

Day 3 done for me. Good so far. I’m feeling really well and so much happier. Despite a really rough day with issues that would have had me sobbing when I was not dry. Sorry to all having a rough time. Also @polkadotpjs your DH’s comment was uncalled for. Bud zero is a soft drink. You do have will power- perhaps he’s secretly a bit jealous if he’s not doing DJ 😂

Ps can’t stop sleeping on sofa during evening then awake at silly times. Like a well of accumulated exhaustion finally finding its way out now wine isn’t blanketing me!

Day 6 done - in bed for 10 30 at woke up before my alarm at 6 feeling good. I am still on holiday til Mon so plan to walk the dog as soon as it is light

Yes indeed it's a soft drink and I drank half then made a cuppa and went to bed. DS had massive nose bleed which put paid to my snuggly brew but I slept through until 5 and although I was properly groggy on waking , I'm like Tigger now !

Oooh just seen this ... am aiming to do dry Jan but really struggled last night wanting a beer 😳 (I didn't 💪💪) but a support chat to keep going would be awesome!

Morning all, Fitbit tells me my sleep is less fitful and I'm waking less in the night. Now I just need to work on falling asleep earlier and sleeping a bit longer - think I could do with an extra hour per night.