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 🙂

So make a bit of a fuss about what really nice soft drinkls you plan to drink each evening. Part of the appeal of alcohol for me is that slight feel of celebration you get when you open a bottle. and the way it marks: work day is over, now let's relax.' I think if you can create a similar sense of occasion with a soft drink that's more than half the battle.

This is a good idea.

Dear Penguins - so glad I've found you. Also checking in for DJ - think it's my 5th. Need read the whole thread properly but just marking my place and looking forward to huddling up with you all for the next month.

Planning the evening and your AF drinks is a good idea. Helps to have a focus and path to follow rather than go on a whim (because we know where those can lead!)

I’ll probably be drinking my favourite hot drink - lemon and ginger and watching a film.

Welcome newbies, by the way, good to have you along!

And don’t forget to check in, everyone,

Hi all, please can I join you? Ive never done dry jan before, feeling inspired after reading the thread, I’ve downloaded the app … wine has become a habit for me at the end of a hard day gone from being a couple of times a week to most days 😳 I need new habits! I’m starting Adrienne’s yoga at same time so hoping that helps. Would love to make it to 100 days but going for 30 for now.

Waving a flipper! Almost talked myself out of it today because my hangover wasn’t too bad and wondered if I actually ‘need’ to do it.
A warm lemon later and I remembered all the reasons why I have to do it!
I’m also thinking of going for 100 days. Ambitious? Absolutely. But I’ve done it before and for me it was the difference in my quality of sleep. Drinking every weekend fucks your sleep up no end.
Onwards and upwards!
🐧

Happy New Year Penguins. I have a bag of Haribo and a gallon of tea by my side and am so ready for a break from booze! Looking forward to more energy and less anxiety.

Welcome aboard @PuzzlingRecluse and @CovidForChristmas you won't regret this.

I don't often have hangovers Covid but think drinking most days is still pretty bad for me, bad for health, sleep, weight, complexion... also, I wonder if lack of hangovers means I've built up a big tolerance. That, also, is probably not a good sign!

Hi everyone, can I join too? I've never done dry January before, and I really want to do it this year. I binge drink alot, most weekends, and I've had some seriously bad hangovers this month. I enjoy drinking too much these days and I really want to reset. I have a few friends with January birthdays so I also make excuses but not this year! I feel pretty done in after so much booze.
I will come back often as think I will find it hard to do!

Well my friend and I have decided not to drink tonight, even though we are away. So I'm starting on 1st with you all. Just enjoying a peppermint tea, then going out for fish and chips. Think we're going to chill in front of the tv and have an early night, we're going out for a walk first thing.

May not post much in the week, as I rarely drink in the week but I'm expecting I'll need a pep talk on Friday

I meant to start at midnight last night, but I had a miserable time and didn't finish off the wine in the house (it was not a lot anyway). So, I shall be starting tomorrow instead. In my mind, that means the whole of January is out the window, so I think 'what it the point?'
I can start Dry Jan on the 2nd, right?

Can I join? I've managed a dry january many years ago but more recent years attempts have been abandoned. My sleep and anxiety are both very much affected by alcohol. I'd also like to shift the belly that I've gained

I've decided to start on 3rd.

Had a shocking NYE (puking child, much better now). So we're going to have our champagne and takeaway today.

We also had a relative get engaged last night so there is a dinner / champagne family thing tomorrow. So Monday it is!!!

I feel alright with this decision and I've set my DJ app for 100 days from 3rd.

@XenoBitch an exact month starting at midnight is a bit of an arbitrary span, really, and not really necessary: you can start right now. Or tomorrow if you prefer. Continue for an extra day or so at the end of that helps.
But do start!

Come on in @blackteaplease !

Join us, @XenoBitch, join us!

I’m in! Never done it before (well I think I tried but failed). Can’t go a week without drinking. Really need to give my body a rest. Wish me luck!

Can’t go a week without drinking

Yes you can, @Dimondsareforever ! You can do it this week as a start. Let us know how it’s going and if you’re struggling.

I'm definitely up for this, I've drunk far too much over Christmas and this year in general.

Did Dry January in 2019 and ended up not drinking for over 100 days. Only started drinking again on a pre-booked girls weekend but have slowly slipped back into bad habits. Time to reset!!

Am in. Day 1/100 done, feeling optimistic but tired - lots of dog walking today - am going to pamper myself with a long bath, book and an early night. It helps that it doesn’t feel like a Saturday.

For those struggling I really like these sayings.

Ever passing moment is a chance to turn it all around.

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.

@mbosnz

Join us, *@XenoBitch*, join us!

Ha, I will. Tomorrow

Please can I join?
Day 1 nearly done.

I'm in, last drink midnight 31/12/21. I really appreciate the support, will check in regularly and will promise to be honest.

Hi all 😊 I've joined the other dry Jan thread and thought it wouldn't hurt to join this one to!
I managed 100 days in 2021 but have recently slipped into bad habits again!