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 🙂

Well done everyone, one week down!

Am doing ok so far, and hoping to start feeling more benefits as the month goes on.

Evening all. Just checking in. Day 7.

I have had a horribly stressful day and would normally have reached for the wine. Proud of myself that I haven't. Looking forward to a bright eyed and bushy tailed day tomorrow.

If we can do a Friday we can do a Saturday. We've got this!

Good morning day 8. Waves a flipper.
I don’t have a hangover. My DC got me up bright and early. Normally I’d have that dry mouth, throbbing head and yuck fuzzy feeling.
This morning I can’t say I’m dancing with joy but I’m not hungover.

Funny thing was I was in a bad mood all day yesterday and I’m sure it’s because I was both stressed about trying not to drink but also I have this feeling of ‘why shouldn’t I’. As if I’m depriving myself by not drinking.

In reality I managed to take my make up off, something I never do after a bottle of wine. I actually spent a bit of time working last night and was productive. Something I never do when drinking. I also had a good nights sleep and slept through until DC woke me. Usually on a Saturday morning I’m awake before them, with slight anxiety about what happened the night before.

So I can see rationally that avoiding alcohol isn’t any sort of deprivation but it’s hard to tell myself that on a Friday evening when DH is enjoying a bottle of red.

@spellingtest - I was just thinking that - if I can do a Friday I can do Saturday. Hoping it means if I can do Saturday can do Sunday - we have planned beef Wellington which we were supposed to do at new year and we already have some really nice red wine we’d planned to have with it. I think that will be hard!

@CovidForChristmas - I would really find it hard if DH was drinking wine. Well done for resisting.

I slept through really well last night.

For those looking for nice teas to drink - I do like herbal teas but love a ‘proper’ cup of tea - I’ve been having Yorkshire Bed time tea. It’s decaf and has a slight hint of vanilla and nutmeg. I wasn’t sure at first so it’s been hanging around a while but I’ve had it every night this week and I’m really enjoying it now. I have it quite strong with a very small amount of milk. I find it goes much better with chocolate than herbal tea. Im not stressing about having chocolate this month. Will tackle that next month!

I slept really badly last night, I've been up since 4.30 😩. I think it's work anxiety/stress. I'm leaving my job on the 17th and I have a to do list as long as my arm to get through before I go. An early night for me tonight, which will make it easier not to drink.

Morning! A Saturday morning without a hangover- who’d’ve thought it!?!?
Today is a new day! Thanks for the support!! Had a good big chat with DH about giving each other a bit more attention and he said he was proud of me!

I was also just thinking if I can do Friday then I can do the rest of the weekend no sweat!!

I fell asleep at about 10.30 and had some weird dreams.

@mbosnz

If you're craving a wine, I recommend you have a 0% alcohol sav' blanc. Talk about aversion therapy!

LOL. When I started reading your post I had a little glow of hope that someone had finally found a drinkable AF wine.

Oh well. Back to the sparkling water.

@CovidForChristmas

Good morning day 8. Waves a flipper. I don’t have a hangover. My DC got me up bright and early. Normally I’d have that dry mouth, throbbing head and yuck fuzzy feeling. This morning I can’t say I’m dancing with joy but I’m not hungover.

Funny thing was I was in a bad mood all day yesterday and I’m sure it’s because I was both stressed about trying not to drink but also I have this feeling of ‘why shouldn’t I’. As if I’m depriving myself by not drinking.

In reality I managed to take my make up off, something I never do after a bottle of wine. I actually spent a bit of time working last night and was productive. Something I never do when drinking. I also had a good nights sleep and slept through until DC woke me. Usually on a Saturday morning I’m awake before them, with slight anxiety about what happened the night before.

So I can see rationally that avoiding alcohol isn’t any sort of deprivation but it’s hard to tell myself that on a Friday evening when DH is enjoying a bottle of red.

It must be so much harder when your partner is drinking in the house. I asked adult DC not to drink in the house. I have seen them sneak a beer up to their rooms but that's OK. I just didn't want them discussing how delicious a bottle of wine was in front of me at dinner.

That thing about depriving ourselves is quite challenging. I am trying to focus on treats and rewards for a hard week that replace a drink. I wish most of them weren't sugar! Does anyone have any ideas?

I fancy - a night of self pampering. I need a pedicure and could do with sorting out my eyebrows, a skin mask, deep conditioner for hair etc.

I also really want a curry. A proper spicy one. That will go well with AF beer.

Day 8 done. My sleep is still very restless but it is great to start Saturday without a fuzzy head

@mbosnz

If you're craving a wine, I recommend you have a 0% alcohol sav' blanc. Talk about aversion therapy!

🤣 The Times had an article on the best AF drinks yesterday - not one wine listed. AF Beer and gin seem the most successful taste wise

So glad not to wake up hungover with a dry mouth, etc...but I did go to bed with a headache which I still have! Didn't sleep well at all, what's that all about? I'm on day 6 today ... hoping sleep improves.
Busy day today and a trip to see curious incident of the dog in the night time later, I'm so excited, but this would usually involve train gin in cans, plus a bottle of wine once we get home, first time I've seen the bf since last weekend too so I'm just going to have to be strong, he's being really supportive but is still drinking...

Onto day 8 . Was really tired last night, so went to bed at 9. Had 10 1/2 hours sleep, bliss - but a lot of weird dreams. One was about discovering that my tube of tomato puree was now plastic not metal and getting very angry with Morrisons - wtf

Checking in for day 8. I've found it ok so far but I think that's because I had had enough of feeling how I was when drinking and that feeling still hasn't faded. I had an AF free Becks Blue last night. Im not normally a beer drinker but it made me feel like I wasn't depriving myself in some small way!

I've loved waking up hangover free today though. My DD does gymnastics for 2 hours on a Saturday morning and we leave at 8.30 to get here. Normally im struggling out of bed at 8.20, no make up, pulling on clothes and feeling awful. Today I was up, showered, coffee made, snacks packed, porridge eaten......,just incredible how different I feel.

I've been using the play it forward technique if I have wobbled and I find that keeps me steady. I wouldn't only have one glass of wine and so whilst as much as I tell myself I'd enjoy that first glass I know I'd have another and then sleep awfully, feel rubbish the next day and be less present for the kids.

Hope Saturday treats everyone well

That thing about depriving ourselves is quite challenging. I am trying to focus on treats and rewards for a hard week that replace a drink. I wish most of them weren't sugar!

Try not to think that your depriving yourself, try to think about what you're gaining instead. It's a technique that I learned about when I quit smoking. Don't even use the words "giving up" drinking/wine.

So in terms of Dry January, you could be gaining more time, more energy, a better mood, saving money.

Wow, I've lost 2lbs, despite the fish and chips, Chinese and roast dinner last weekend, plus chocolate and sweets this week.

Hi all. First post on the thread but I’m on day 9 AF today. I managed 12 days in October, but this time I’m finding it a bit easier for some reason and am determined to make it through the month.
I was looking through pictures of me yesterday to find a headshot for a work thing and you could really tell the ones where I was hanging (puffy face).

Start of day 8 here and feeling good. No fuzzy head and will hopefully have a productive day. Feel like I slept well but like others have said, weird dreams!! Have a good day everyone. We have got this!!

Day 8 today, doing ok, although not feeling the sparky 'pinging awake' I was hoping for. I've been really tired and groggy every morning and couldn't face dragging myself up for my gym class at 7am today. I've had 'a week' at work so think I'm just super tired.

Whilst I've not been craving a drink specifically, I've missed the instant relaxation a large glass of wine can provide after a stressful day. I'm concerned that I've not been able to replace the wine with something that feels equally good. Mostly I just feel really demotivated and low. My last AF month was April last year and I think the time of year, having more natural light and opportunity to take walks/spend time outdoors was helpful in transitioning to not drinking.

January just feels like a terrible time of year to stop doing anything that gives you pleasure, and when I'm in charge I'm banning January.

It's good to hear of the little victories many of you are having.

I'm starting DJ a little late as 2022 brought some unexpected stress in the form of a family bereavement (almost) 😞 I hope I'm still allowed in!

No alcohol in the house now and I won't be buying any, to avoid temptation. I've tried DJ in past years and always failed but seeing the problematic relationship my mother and sister have/are developing with alcohol is inspiring me to try and cut down for good. I also need to lose weight and save money so it seems like a good idea all round 😁

Confession - I drank some gin last night! The time for decompression and a bit of relaxation was very welcome I must say as I am stressed having my DM staying here due to a broken arm. I suspect this may be a Friday thing whilst she is staying. At least I wasn't a bucket load of wine and I don't plan to do it nightly. Am I making excuses? Possibly, however I am only human!.

Morning all. Fantastic to see so many checking in this morning to collect their 1 week badge! ⭐

I've fancied a drink a few times this week but managed to desist. However I recall my first ever DJ as a much heavier drinker and it was so so hard. Well done if you're a habitual drinker and you've managed to do any amount of time dry.

I agree with @FanGirlX : we're not depriving ourselves here; we're improving ourselves, giving ourselves better health, sleep, concentration. We're not wasting money or losing control, and we're banishing a poison. These things are all gains.

Having managed Friday, I have every faith we'll have little trouble getting through Saturday too. Good luck penguins, stay strong 💪🐧

@troobleflooble you're more than welcome. Waddle into the middle of our penguin huddle. I'm sorry you've had a challenging time in your family.

@ApolloandDaphne centre of huddle for you, too! Being human is always forgiven here (though being penguin is better!)

Day 8. Didn't feel the springy wonderful bounding out of bed feeling people talk about though, wonder when that comes? In a perfect world soberity would turn me into a morning person 😂
Got last Saturday in the bag already, we've got this!!

Can I suggest a Queer Eye binge to help reframe our thinking - it’s all about self care and drinking is not self care.

Also day 8. I find the thought of not drinking more difficult than actual not drinking.
Pub later. My goal is to be able to do normal things and choose whether or not to drink so the pub will be a good yest