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

[HPLikecraft]

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!

Reluctantly made it through last night. Really hoping I don't slip back into weeknight wine - I'd love to not drink at home I think, set an example to my teens etc (or only for special occasions).

I would be up for a moderation thread too @freshstart2023

Still here and still dry! Day 27 for me. Will have to stay off the drink until Sat to make the full 31 days.

Part of me is dreading drinking again! In a way, abstinence is easier than moderation.

Just popping back on to say I'm still here. Posted right back at the beginning of the first thread, and have checked in every day since. Didn't plan on being a lurker, but so many of you were writing so well about how I was feeling that there didn't seem much point in me repeating it all! But it's been so helpful having this thread, so thanks OP and the rest of you.

I have found it hard, I won't lie, and I've been trying to shed a few pounds at the same time, which has made it doubly hard, especially in this freezing cold weather. This weekend I cracked and ate loads of sugary treats and a big bag of crisps, but if I hadn't cracked on the food I would have cracked on the alcohol, so I'm happy about that. Planning on going till Friday, so 4 more days for me.

Like others, I'm sleeping better, my skin's improved, my face looks less jowly and I don't wake up every morning thinking "why did I drink AGAIN last night when I was determined to have a night off" and feeling the self loathing that comes with it.

The other thing though, is I have been SO bored. I find this quite worrying in itself.
What does it say about me if I think life's boring without alcohol in it? There are plenty of people who don't drink/ drink rarely, bet they don't find their life is boring?

Anyway, planning like others to moderate going forward. Who knows if I'll manage it?

Less than two days to go! I've lost two kilos and I am literally glowing. It amazes me every year that just one month of no alcohol brings my skin to life.

Well done everyone. I now have a nasty case of covid and feel awful so can't see me fancy a drink for a week or two. I am really hoping the rest of the family don't get it but I imagine they will just in time for one of the DC's birthdays.

Just two days to go - wow. I actually can’t quite believe it.

Hope those feeling poorly recover quickly. Well done to those who managed the weekend the best for them. If you are aiming to tackle concern about the amount you drink but worried about replacing it with food, think of it as tackling the most damaging habit first and then you can move on to addressing diet.

Also up for a continuing thread for moderation/AF for Feb/Lent.

Oddly, for the first time in ages I had a 'drinking' dream that left me with that anxious 'what did I do' feeling when I woke up, even though I hadn't actually drunk! Anyway, thankful for another alcohol free day yesterday and carrying on for today.

I’m honestly just so shocked to have made it this far - and so proud of myself. If I achieve nothing else this year I will look back and feel proud of this!

Another lurker here. I had one planned drinking night on Friday but had 3 drinks and slept awfully and felt shattered on Saturday. Didn't feel worth it! I'm thinking of setting a target number of dry days for the year which is more than usual - maybe 250. I need a way to continue feeling like I don't need to drink after January

Good morning regulars and lurkers alike!
Well the talk on here now appears to be about moving forward, to February and beyond. It's good to see some are extending the dryness, and others are making plans for a more restricted and controlled relationship with alcohol, not just for February but in the longer term.
There are those who seem frustrated and bored with the whole thing, so may return to the always open, warm and inviting arms of La Booze. They will at least have done themselves some good and regenerated their livers a bit this month; also, the next time they try dry they will find it easier and note some of the other benefits and may stick around a bit longer.

You know, this is not just about doing something that's better for physical health; Dry January is an exercise in self discipline, self control, sticktoitiveness, determination... I firmly believe that some level of success here is character building, improves mental strength and perseverance, making other difficult tasks - whether choices or obligations - easier. We have done more than stay dry (or damp)

The end of today sees us at the 96.7% mark.
Just one small step left!

@FlightDeckBuckarooo haha, no, we watched Dirty Dancing 😁

I haven’t found this year too hard. It definitely gets easier the more DJs you do. I guess because you’ve already shown yourself you can?!

Ill lurk on a moderation thread 👍

@freshstart2023 i don’t know you, but ive been following your progress and feel
really proud of you 🤣hope that’s not patronising!!

Thank you - you’ve made my day!

It seems like the longest month in the world but also seems to have passed quickly at the same time I find.

@freshstart2023 I think we are in a similar position in that we were both drinking an eye watering amount of units pre DJ! It's brilliant.

I have been oscillating about what to do post Jan. I'm scared of not being able to moderate or similarly not being able to stick to certain days of the week. Also the idea of waking up with my first hangover for a month fills me with dread. But I don't have an off switch!

So when my DJ friend called me this morning and said he was going to carry on for one more week then review after that, I decided to join him. It puts off a decision for another week at least and another week doesn't sound too daunting. But even that could be tricky once it's no longer 'officially' DJ!

Great to see so much positivity on here now we are almost there. This thread has been invaluable. Thankyou. And as others have said - whether it's been a completely dry month or not - I think pretty much everyone can say that they have fulfilled their objective of drinking less and that of reevaluating their relationship with booze.

@lemonsaretheonlyfruit I’m fearing the hangovers too. I’m hoping I’ll be able to stick to a sensible amount going forward so it’s no longer an issue. Half a bottle of wine per night on the nights I do drink should be fine.

How is everyone finding today? I’m doing okay but have been quite unproductive at work due to various issues, which has made me feel fed-up. I’m impatient for the end of DJ now.

I'm aiming not to drink until we visit friends on Saturday. I usually take a bottle of Prosecco so I'll also take a bottle of lime and soda and aim to alternate glasses

I’m actually feeling nervous about the end of DJ. And worried, like others, that moderation is going to be hard to achieve. I haven’t missed wine at all in the last two weeks. There is a part of me that’s now thinking, what’s the point in going back to drinking wine at all if you haven’t missed it?

But I think in reality I am worried about just slipping straight back into bad habits. I’m not sure I’ll be able to stop at a couple of small glasses on a Friday night. I have a couple of friends who gave up drinking completely a few years ago and both say it is the best thing they ever did.

I’m also just starting to notice some of the physical benefits - it’s taken the four weeks to achieve but my skin looks clearer, and whilst I have no idea what I weigh (I don’t weigh myself) my tummy feels flatter and my clothes feel looser.

I think I’m going to do another week and then see how I feel.

Slinking back in for the final couple of days after a not quite dry week last week. I won't go into details but basically I went away for a long weekend with some friends and the temptation of an aperetif or two was too great.

I didn't go completely mad and am still keen to beat my previous annual best record of 300 days which I can definately do.

Haven't read all the updates but am off to do so now.

Keep going all - Mon & Tuesday are usually easy days so congratulations to all on your achievements.

It's odd. I disliked the way Saturday felt so much that I haven't drunk or wanted to since breaking Friday night. I'm still not sure about the future but it's interesting. I'm starting to wonder what moderation would even be for. I'm reluctant to say 'never' though.

I’m really counting down the minutes until the end now. I’m tempted to give in but I won’t obviously!

AF tonight after an epic collapse at the weekend. No reason,I just gave in. So stupid.
Today and tomorrow will give me 25 days.
Started well but faded badly.

Just two more evenings. Two. Out of 31. No bother!
I'm polishing the gold trophies and doing big swirly signatures on certificates in preparation for the end. I won't be celebrating with fizz, though.... well, not until Friday!

Keep on keeping on, everyone.

Yes! Nearly there! After struggling last weekend, then realising it was coupled with terrible PMT, I’m feeling back in the game and am aiming for 60 days which takes us to March 1st! I have the ‘try dry’ app and the longest stretch I’ve done is 30 days, then it’s 60 then 100! I wish I could post my picture of my stomach before and after but it’s so much less bloated, it’s very noticeable and inspiring! And I’ve been eating a bit piggy like although I have joined the gym and am actually able to run half and hour now for the first time in 12 years and I know it’s because I’m not drinking! That with my gums not dripping with blood now every time I brush them is very encouraging! It does make you wonder why you bother but then I do love the confidence, conversation and relaxation it brings me, sigh!

Ooh and I also wanted to say although I’d been a lurker, I’ve found the posts very comforting and encouraging so thank you very much! I’m just a bit shy really but I’ve delurked myself now! Hehe!

Good to see you and hear your story @funnyoldonion !

No need to be shy… you’re amongst friends