DRY JANUARY 2023! 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 sixth year of DJ and I swear it may have saved my life; 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. Everyone welcome 🙂☕️🧃

The DJ2022 Wagon creaks to a start in just 4 days, but always stops for latecomers 🙂

I'm in! Have done 296 dry days this year and hoping to smash past that in 2023.

Hi I was AF from September up until Christmas day. I've only had a few glasses of red over the Christmas period. Might have a glass tomorrow but then plan completely AF from 1st January. I feel so much better. Sleep better, mood more stable. I think you have to reframe your mindset. Don't see it as missing out and relying on will power. Be excited about what you will gain. I'm beginning to feel alcohol is a bit of a lie tbh

Ah go on then ! It might only be until 25th because we are off in a big holiday
I’m typically awake at 4am. Hoping my sleep improves and I can lose a few pounds. I’ve also downloaded the TryDry App. My OH won’t be doing this with me but will cut down a bit. Did this many years ago. Failed last year

I'm in, doing it with my DH. I haven't drunk much over Christmas due to having been unwell but DH can put away a bottle of red easily. His drinking has been creeping up and he's now wanting to cut back and lose some weight.

Hopping on too please. Should hopefully be starting IVF again in Jan, so some extra solidarity for not drinking whilst dealing with the stresses of that will be much appreciated. Will be enjoying some nice fizz tonight but looking forward to getting started tomorrow.

Have a good NYE everyone, whatever you do.

Brilliant thread.
I did this 2 yrs ago after drinking lightly 5 nights a week and wondering how to stop.
Went onto Easter.Now 2 yrs on I have only had a couple of drinks in those yrs.
I don't miss it now and I'm not going back.

I'm in! I've been going through a stressful time and my drinking has increased. I need to stop it. This is a great time to get it under control.

I'm in. I usually do it every year. Good luck everyone.

I’m in. Used to drink very little, once or twice a month and didn’t miss it. Crept up over lockdown and not got out of the habit. Can’t even really say I savour it …but definitely need to break the wine o clock pattern. look forward to the support here

Can I please join? 👋
Will start on 3/1 rather than 1/1 ( I am away with friends and will have more chance of success/ less explaining to do if I start when I am back home)
Been moderating for months but realise it's far more difficult for me to constantly bargain with myself than take a complete break.

I have a hangover this morning 🙄I really, really hope this will be one of my last for a while!
Have a great NYE everybody xxxxx

Hey, I'm delighted to see so many more of you; you're all very welcome!

Lots of different situations here, some light drinkers, some heavier; some newbies, some DJ veterans... hopefully you'll all find this thread helpful.

As we approach the start, might I encourage you to:

• check in every day or as often as you can. It's good to see others' progress, and it's helpful to you too, because then you feel a bit accountable so it encourages you to keep going!

• share your coping and distraction techniques with us (we need them!)

• share your AF drink recommendations.

• offer your words of support and encouragement to others who may be struggling.

We can do this 💪

Thank you HPLikecraft.

Drinks - not cheap but I love Martini vibrante and MotherRoot ginger switchel. Have with tonic and it’s very like a proper drink. I also find Becks blue and nanny state also very helpful. I’ve never found a decent wine (nosecco and Noughty fizz are both far too sweet for me) but any suggestions would be amazing.

I would like to join, please. Have much to manage for the next few months and a clear head and reasonable sleep will help.
If anyone wants an alcohol free sparkling for a special celebration I recommend Fortnum and Mason's Sparkling Tea. Most definitely not cheap but feels like a treat.
Aim is for dry January and then carrying on in to Lent.
Due to DH health will be having a very quiet evening so sending best wishes to all celebrating.

I’m going to be AF tonight. Yesterday was a write off and such a waste of a day. I have an outdoor swimming event in the morning and would rather have the buzz and afterglow of that tomorrow than a stinking hangover and feelings of shame and self loathing. I’m going to a party tonight but I’m going to drive and use the swim as an excuse.

I’m feeling really positive about this. I’ve just been to the shops and bought a big pile of trashy books to plough through in the evenings. I also bought an AF spirit called Sentia which claims to have relaxing properties. I’m not planning on opening it in the first week or so, but thought it would be good to have in for when I get bored of herbal tea! I will report back on what it’s like.
We are also having our first AF day today (the first in a while) and I’m looking forward to waking up refreshed tomorrow.

Great start @FlightDeckBuckarooo
I'm not starting until a few seconds after midnight. I'm looking forward to it. Sort of.
I'm also doing Veganuary (pretty much vegan anyway) and, hardest of all, giving up crisps for January!

<wonders if there's a support thread for that?>

That's fantastic and brave @Findyourneutralspace I live on the coast, have access to an outdoor pool but have been rubbish at getting on with outdoor swimming in recent years times. Maybe I'll make it a new years resolution.

Oops, NC fail

I highly recommend "quit lit" to see you through.
I personally buy them as audio books and listen to them in the car on the way to and from work.
They help SO much.

Im day 2 AF, as I drank so much in December I just felt like pure crap.

I can't wait for a great month (and more) off the booze.

I'm joining. Have done it most years for the last 5 with varying degrees of success and really need a reset this year.

@Mykittensmittens - I'm an original penguin too & remember haiku night & Epsom salts. I spent a lot of that DJ watching Wolf Hall which was infuriating as they were constantly sipping tiny glasses of red wine.

@HPLikecraft - I'd join a giving up crisps night if I was going to give up crisps but can't see that happening any time soon. Although I do find that when drinking less I'm less tempted by salty snax.

Have a lovely NYE all.

Testing new alcohol free name 😁

I agree mindset comes into it. Dh and I have just finished listening to an audio book that (summing it up very simply) says it’s all lie and society has brainwashed us to convince us we want or need alcohol and are missing out if we don’t have it.

It was quite eye opening.

Which one was this?