DRY HARD 2: DRY HARDER! Dry January 2024, Thread#2 🧃🧋

[HPLikecraft]

Thread#2...

Let's keep going!

Hello all. I don't have the excuse of major stress or trauma in my life driving me to drink (I'm so sorry about your son born sleeping @ANiceBigCupOfTea what a terrible trauma you went through) - I just really like wine!

I used to work for a firm of literary agents and one of our clients was a well-known wine writer/presenter. I remember listening to her on the radio one day and she said something like "some years back I realised I loved wine so much I gave myself permission to drink it every day" and I thought, you know what Jancis, I agree with you

But this was 20+ years ago and the guidelines have changed massively now and all around is quit lit and people going public with their addictions. It's made alcohol rather a demon which is a shame, I feel. Like everyone is supposed to be one way or the other - sober or addicted.

Honestly, if the Government guidelines on alcohol weren't rammed down our throats out there, I think I would carry on drinking as I did with no worry or guilt. Now it's YET ANOTHER thing that's bad for me.

I dunno, I'm rambling but I feel a bit resentful this evening! Never mind, onwards ...

Sorry for everyone struggling but kudos for staying on DJ or getting back on the wagon.

Day 20 for me. I think when I get home from work is a trigger time but once I have got past that I don't miss it. My supermarket bill is definitely healthier 😁

Day 17 for me. I managed to resist temptation last night and have a hot chocolate instead, so feel happy about that.

Sending thoughts to all who are struggling for various reasons. Aside from the challenges of supporting my lovely adult DC with SEN (and even then, I have far less stress compared to what so many parents are dealing with) I’m another who really just likes wine and enjoys the taste and ends up drinking too much. And I struggle to moderate. I suspect I always will. Longer term, I wonder if the only real answer is to go completely teetotal. But that feels a bit too extreme for now.

Onwards to day 18, I’m loving the support on here, thank you all.

I’m another who really just likes wine and enjoys the taste and ends up drinking too much. And I struggle to moderate. I suspect I always will. Longer term, I wonder if the only real answer is to go completely teetotal. But that feels a bit too extreme for now

I'm with Delia Smith (I think it was) who said that good wine is one of the pleasures of life, (along with decent cheese); which is why I'm happy with having drastically moderated and knowing when to stop so as to stay within the limits. I don't get even mildly tipsy now, I can tell myself 'that's enough.' DM unfortunately had no off button with alcohol.

I'm still standing, and also pondering whether or not I can go a little longer after this... For now though, today's post is about the different "types" of drinker out there, as far as that can be said to exist. Which one or ones are you...?

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/17/dry-january-17-types-of-drinker/

Evening everyone, DAY 17.

Its great how many people are still contributing regularly to the thread, and managing to stay dry, despite trying situations.
Ive been quiet recently because I’ve been struggling with anxiety. My HRT prescription has been changed now though, so hopefully that’ll help. Thank goodness I’m not drinking, because although that first drink seems to make all stress drift off into the ether, alcohol is terrible not only for exacerbating anxiety, but for giving you anxiety when you didn’t have it before. I did do a little research and was going post, but it’s on my phone which I’ve left in the car… and it’s a bit cold out there! Tomorrow.

In other news, DH and I opened a bottle of my own homemade alcohol alternative - a fizzy, fermented tea with a bit of ginger and chilli- and it was bloody lovely… and full of probiotics. I have a warm glow now. I was going to leave it fermenting till the weekend, but I got curious, and it had already made a lot of fizz. That’s me sorted now!

So, a little progress report now…

The end of today, Day 17 of DJ2024 sees us…

54.8%

of the way through this challenge 🥳

Keep the faith, People of the Alcohol Resistance.✊

I agree with PPs (and Delia / Jancis!) that wine is a true pleasure, in moderation. If wine didn't exist I would be TT for sure. It isn't just the alcohol, nor is it just the taste, but the perfect synergy of both coming together. A friend of my Dad's used to say "A day without wine is a day without sunshine". While that may be an exaggeration, I can't imagine saying the same about vodka (for example).

I think part of my future strategy may be to buy more expensive bottles, which will encourage me to drink on fewer days and to drink more mindfully.

In the meantime, the ON Beer is delayed AGAIN!!!! 😠! Apparently it ended up at the wrong depot. For anyone considering shopping from the Dry Drinker site (which is great), be aware that they use DHL... I'll say no more except to suggest a quick read of some of the reviews of DHL on Trust Pilot.

How did you start your tea @HPLikecraft ? Is it like a kombucha? We have just completed the first two weeks, and are quite enjoying it. Another person who has been much better at night skincare routine, and I have lost 0.5kg, so all good.

54.8% is a good number ☺️ Like others I'm contemplating keeping going after the end of January. I'm getting a ridiculous amount of satisfaction from ticking off the days on the Try Dry app.

I do like a nice wine, a good pint and an artisan gin, but definitely want to get to a place where I'm having an occasional drink to enjoy the taste rather than as a de-stress / habit / default.

This is where I am too @disappearingfish I think I need to keep going until I get where a point where I am no longer craving a drink when I've had a hard day, and then some. I suspect it'll take about 3 months for my brain to sort itself out and get to a non drinkers sort of level.

Still here, still loving being AF

Not sure how you do kombucha, but I use a ginger bug starter... water, ginger and sugar left to ferment; it uses the natural yeast on the ginger. I make lots of ginger beer with it... I make fruity fizz, too, but if I leave it too long it gets boozy!

Off to bed now, another day free from the awful poison. Well done everyone 👍

Checking in, still AF.

I was really tempted tonight, I was just so furious at life in general, and then later on I was like ‘ah, hormonal’, which helped me feel better to have an explanation for feeling so rotten.

Glad to have got safely through today.

Checking in, still dry, still no cravings, but not sleeping as well as last week, which was a major motivator. Keep waking in the night and then I'm up at 5 with the toddler most days. Also have a few non-typical for me spots, so maybe a weird hormonal thing going on, did I read about the impact on hormones the other day?

Overall skin does feel a bit plumper though, I don't tend to weigh myself but think I feel a bit more defined on the belly and chin despite the sugar I'm tanking! Not particularly the reason for stopping but certainly helps.

Plodding on! Thanks for the support. Suspect I'll lose DH to a few once Feb hits, but I'd still like to carry on. Wonder how that will be as we've always drunk together at home.

Still here and still AF. That type of drinker resonates. I was thinking earlier this week about how anxious I’m feeling and how I thought that would lessen now not drinking. The notable difference is that I am now starting to tackle the issues that make me anxious instead of heading for the numbing effect of a glass or two of wine. On another note, I’ve now tried a variety of no alcohol alternatives. I find the 0% beers fine but wouldn’t bother with any of the wines.

👋 Morning all. Still going. And today's Thursday- which is basically Sunday - which will be 3 weeks, so nearly there....

(Can you tell I'm struggling😂)

Loving your logic, Wilko! 😁

I was feeling quite stressed and anxious yesterday - no idea why, there wasn't a particular trigger - and it was probably the most tempted I've felt. But I held off.

I am eating way too much chocolate, though. I've always had a sweet tooth, but am definitely replacing the wine calories with treats. Really need to try to knock it on the head. Any tips?

Checking in - still AF!
I've lost about 2kg right now but the first kg is definitely just a weight fluctuation from Christmas and period bloat.
It's definitely got me a bit more motivated to see where I net out as by the end of January (it's definitely DJ and healthier eating habits combined).

Commuting to work today, but I feel a lot clearer of what my next career direction needs to be and putting a plan together to start shifting that way.
I've been moaning about being unhappy in my
Industry to friends for years but never could decide what's next and how to get there and now I have that clarity which makes me feel so much more at ease.

I'm hoping that means I'll drink less to numb the day and low mood that my job currently prompts me to do.

@Monstamio

Totally with you. I normally have a complete savoury tooth and now can't stop eating. I had the remainder of the quality st yesterday (even a couple of the orange crèmes )

Stood on the scales this morning and I have put on 2kg!

Morning everyone! Still going - last night was hard, I met up with a friend who I only see once every few months which usually involves a lot of drinking - she's also doing DJ, but there was a lot of angling from her side (and mine if I'm honest!) that maybe we should have a night off! But stayed strong and we had a lovely dinner followed by going for icecream. Like others have said though am definitely replacing wine calories with sweet treat calories - oh well, one thing at a time!

So impressive with how everyone is doing, and especially those of you that are having a tough time and still managing to stick to it - v inspiring ❤️❤️❤️

Morning all. Hope you're feeling well and dry.
It's a beautiful day here in South Wales, sunny and FREEZING 🥶. I love days like this, and can't wait to take the dog out for a walk up the hill but I have to wait for Asda to come first, and it looks like they're delayed.
We're heading towards weekend#3, but we don't care, do we? We're used to this now.

Wellitywellness thanks for yesterday's blog - much pondering on the categories. I would put me across Perfectionist and self-medicating. It may be the Perfectionist (absolutism) that is helping during DJ, in that I have a goal and I will reach it. My issue is when that goal is reached, based on past AF periods, on what I do next. Previously that would be the rapidly increasing consumption and difficulty having any AF days. A prolonged period being TT may be the answer - just keep shifting my date to aim at for remaining AF.

Have a good day all, whatever day AF this is for you, it is just today I am concentrating on.

Morning! A beautiful bright day here in the SE. It definitely lifts the mood.

i am starting to see skin improvements - much brighter and clearer. I can’t decide how much of this is being AF, though, and how much because I am now taking time to apply my various nice face and neck creams that usually get ignored because I’ve had wine and just fall into bed…

This Saturday will be a big test for me. I will be taking my eldest back to uni, which I always find a bit emotional (whilst at the same time looking forward to having a little less mess in the house for a while!). Will need to stay strong to resist the lure of the wine but am determined to try.

Have a good day, POTAR (aka ‘people of the alcohol resistance’ 😂)

Morning all... Off out soon to visit friends in a village in the countryside which will be lovely today, if cold!

@FlyingPandas , it probably is being AF that is improving your skin. I am also starting to notice improvements and my skincare routine is the same every night, whether I've had wine or not. Oddly, my skin was worse last time I did DJ, but I think that was related to hormones and work stress / getting less exercise during lockdowns.

Hi all, I’m still in. I don’t know why this month feels so different to Sober September. I was really resentful and just sulked around the house eating sweets the whole time, counting down the days. This month I feel really good. I’m eating well, sleeping beautifully and have the energy to exercise. I don’t know why but I’m grateful!