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Original poster

Old habits DRY hard! It's DRY JANUARY thread #2... newcomers always welcome!

938 replies

HPLikecraft · 11/01/2023 07:38

Here we are, a shiny new thread to help us stay dry.

Thread one has been great and supportive; and thread two will take us through further challenges and milestones. Hop aboard; you're all doing brilliantly!

OP posts:
Thread gallery
12
Fundays12 · 26/01/2023 07:02

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 06:49

Day 26 and at 8am we’ll be 81.7% of the way there.

I woke up this morning feeling slightly terrified at the thought of ever having a hangover again. It really is an awful feeling. I need to harness that thought going forward.

Same here I hate hangovers. My kids almost smell them and make as much noise as possible too lol

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 26/01/2023 08:22

@freshstart2023 yes I hear you. I keep having similar thoughts. That awful fug mixed with shame and feeling sick and dreading the long day ahead. Thinking about the first drink later on and locked in that cycle.
It's crazy really that we do it at all in the first place isn't it?And for what? An hour or so of being able to forget all of life's problems and feel relaxed for a while? Or having more 'fun' when out with friends?

I too am going to keep these thoughts in my head once DJ is over.

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 08:43

lemonsaretheonlyfruit · 26/01/2023 08:22

@freshstart2023 yes I hear you. I keep having similar thoughts. That awful fug mixed with shame and feeling sick and dreading the long day ahead. Thinking about the first drink later on and locked in that cycle.
It's crazy really that we do it at all in the first place isn't it?And for what? An hour or so of being able to forget all of life's problems and feel relaxed for a while? Or having more 'fun' when out with friends?

I too am going to keep these thoughts in my head once DJ is over.

Very true - why do we do it to ourselves? It really is food for thought.

pointythings · 26/01/2023 08:44

I hate hangovers. My last one was in 1999 though. I.'m pretty sure they get worse as you get older and once I hit 30, that was it.

FlyingPandas · 26/01/2023 09:56

Just checking in. Well done everyone on getting this far!

Still dry here, although I can’t claim any sense of achievement really as I’ve been ill on and off since Friday evening and have yet to even manage a proper full meal this week let alone fancy a glass of wine!

Youngest DC has a birthday this weekend so I really hope that (a) I feel properly better by then and (b) he doesn’t get ill too!

At this rate though. at least it’ll be no hassle for me to carry on DJ till 3rd February...

thenightsky · 26/01/2023 10:27

Another one here with hangover fear. I definitely do not want to go back to feeling like that! More water, less wine from now on.

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 12:41

I really need to start planning my moderation strategy for February. Trying not to drink until as late as possible in the day is one tip that helped me before. I also need to start alternating alcoholic and soft drinks.

PermanentTemporary · 26/01/2023 12:54

A simple two drink limit is one that works quite well if I stick to it, plus using champagne flutes or old school tiny sherry glasses for all wine.

Fuwari · 26/01/2023 16:04

@FlyingPandas Same here! I've been so unwell that I feel I can't really claim the "credit" for not drinking.

I used champagne flutes for wine in my cut down phase. Meant I could feel like I was having a "full" glass without drinking too much. I can't bear huge glasses with a splash of wine in the bottom! It irrationally annoys me. And yes, starting later in the day makes a big difference. Breaking the habit of after work wine and wine with a meal (I eat quite early) is the most beneficial thing I've done. I probably used to drink half a bottle just between 5 and 7, then of course I'd carry on.

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 18:50

I’ve had a really stressful afternoon and am struggling tonight as a result. I’d really like a glass of red wine or two just to help me relax and take my mind off things for a bit.

SeasonsBleatings · 26/01/2023 19:07

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 18:50

I’ve had a really stressful afternoon and am struggling tonight as a result. I’d really like a glass of red wine or two just to help me relax and take my mind off things for a bit.

Sorry to hear that. Can you get a different treat instead and focus on how awful you would feel after a glass of wine when we're so close to the end of Jan?

FlyingPandas · 26/01/2023 19:41

@freshstart2023 you have done such an amazing job so far! You will be so cross with yourself if you break your winning streak now. I second @SeasonsBleatings suggestion - any other things you can have that will feel like a treat? Cake, chocolate, fizzy drink, favourite TV show? Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

@Fuwari sorry to hear you're struggling too. Hope you feel better soon.

I also need to rethink my strategy for February. It's dawning on me that it's much easier to not drink at all than to try for sensible moderation.

thenightsky · 26/01/2023 19:45

By this date, I'm usually settled into being AF and not actually wanting alcohol anymore at all. This year, I'm really struggling by 6pm every night. I'm still loving the clear morning head feeling however.

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 19:52

Thanks everyone. Stress is a major trigger, but I won’t crack now because we’re so close to the end, and I’ll be so proud of myself if I can do this. Struggling though.

Spirini · 26/01/2023 20:02

Well done @freshstart2023 you've been so strong! 💪

Onehappymam · 26/01/2023 20:05

Day 23 for me and I no longer crave alcohol at 4pm everyday! Found last week really tough, but I seem to have settled into it now.

I’ve managed to survive a working week of good eating as well, which is a big improvement. I was definitely replacing my after work wine with biscuits and crisps.

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 20:09

Thanks @Spirini - you too!

It’s funny, I’m very happy to be on the home run, but for some reason I keep telling myself that tomorrow is the day when I’ll truly feel like I’m nearly there. Then I get to tomorrow and think, actually Jan 31st still feels quite far away - tomorrow is when I’ll properly feel I’m almost there. And repeat ad infinitum.

Mushroo · 26/01/2023 20:14

I’m so proud of myself, I was travelling with work and managed to get first class on the train.

I turned down the free wine and it wasn’t too bad! Smugly had my ginger ale.

I would never have done that before!

Johnduttonsbuttocks · 26/01/2023 20:18

I don't know if it is related to doing DJ, but whereas I have been doing intermittent fasting and skipping breakfast for a few months, this month I have been so ravenous every morning I've had to eat. Is my body compensating for the missing wine calories?

Fundays12 · 26/01/2023 21:18

I nearly caved and had a wine tonight. Ds has a massive meltdown that lasted hours. He was swearing and abusing us all over the TV. He has become addicted to ytube to the point he won't do anything else outwith school, his swimming lesson and a once a week outing with his PA. It's really alarming as he is not even 11 but apparently it's quite common with autistic or ADHD kids. He got himself a few days ban for his behaviour and will be getting an old TV with no internet access in his room instead.

If I hadn't had a sore throat I think I may have had a wine but the thought of that, a broken sleep and a sore head in the morning when ds1 will likely be on meltdown again put me of.

Hedjwitch · 26/01/2023 21:24

AF again tonight. Bored with it but cant deny how different I feel. DS is 21 on Saturday. Another challenge!

freshstart2023 · 26/01/2023 21:35

Well done everyone for staying so strong.

Original poster
HPLikecraft · 26/01/2023 22:12

Just a quick visit from me tonight, DD in bad state.
I think you're all doing so well, and it's almost over.
So, my OP duties...the end of today sees us

83.87%

of the way through. Can hardly believe it. Hang on in there, everyone x

OP posts:
Alexandra2001 · 26/01/2023 22:16

Had to go to a wedding, last weekend, free drinks, loads of free wine for the meal.. sooooooo i arranged to be the driver and insisted NO TAXI so i had no choice, orange juice and water..
It was also very amusing watching everyone getting pissed and making complete idiots of themselves..

WaxingGibbon · 26/01/2023 22:31

Evening all, checking in to say still dry here! And actually amazed with myself. Well done all for hanging in there and being strong - you're all doing brilliantly. Special well done to @HPLikecraft and @Fundays12 for be