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

[HPLikecraft]

Thread#2...

Let's keep going!

Hello comrades! Just checking in for the final day. It's actually day 35 AF for me today as I started a few days early.

I'd love to report the health benefits and weight loss some of you have mentioned but I really haven't felt it tbh. But then my mother did pass away this month so it's been a lot to deal with and I wouldn't expect to be feeling all that great anyway!

I never drink to the point of hangovers or regret (I'm much too old for that) so perhaps the health benefits are more invisible and less obvious.

Tomorrow, I will have a drink, no doubt about it. But tonight I might treat myself to a bottle of San Miguel 0 which is the best of the alcohol free drinks I have tried.

Congrats to all on reaching the final day!

I am out with a group of friends tomorrow for dinner.

On previous years I'd be really looking forward to breaking the fast, this year I find myself feeling a little bit anxious about it. I really want to moderate but I know I'll get grief and it's hard to know how to approach this - I don't want to have to defend my drinking or not drinking to anyone but I know I'll be strongly encouraged to join in and overconsume and whilst I feel strong now...

In the past, they have tried to get me to break DJ but I had a firm line I would not cross - the problem with moderation is that it's all about interpretation.

Yes, it really does!

Thanks so much OP for hosting the thread and to all contributors. I've been reading every day even though posting intermittently.

For me the biggest benefits have been a reduction in anxiety.....I've felt generally calmer....and the knowledge that I'm fully in charge of myself with feelings and actions completely uncomplicated by alcohol. I feel I've got to know myself better as a result, and that I'm closer to being more fully the person I aspire to be.

I'm still deliberating on my path from here and will be looking out for a continuation/moderation thread should one pop up.

All the best everyone

https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/tools/Interactive-worksheets-and-more/Stay-in-control/drink-Refusal-Skills.aspx#:~:text=No%2C%20thank%20you.,you'd%20help%20me%20out.

Found this, thought it might be helpful.

Thanks for the link @asleepattheshop , I think planning what to say is a good idea, not just so you can resist peer pressure, but because you are also priming yourself to keep it moderate.

Depending on the nature of the friendships, you could possibly make a joke about it... something like "Are you saying I'm rubbish company when I'm sober?!", said with a laugh and a wink, might be preferable to just repeatedly saying no. You could also explain that your tolerance will be lower than usual due to taking a month off drinking, which is of course true. I bet there will be a fair few people with giant hangovers on 2nd Feb, because of this.

Good luck tomorrow and enjoy your evening 🙂

@Neptunium93 she will try to convince me to share a bottle of wine and then to be polite will continue topping my glass up before pouring her own, so I don't want to get into sharing a bottle, my tolerance being low is perfect, it puts it all on me - no judgement on her.🙏

Ha. The last day. I survived.

Shame there is no football on TV tomorrow to break the fast. Will break out a can of devils pop for the rugby on Friday though.

Yep, we did it! And I'll be carrying on into February too - both not drinking and blogging about it (though perhaps not every day - it's a bit of an ask!).

https://wellitywellness.com/2024/01/31/dry-january-31-we-did-it/

My mum died today.
It's putting my DJ to the absolute test this evening.

Sending lots of love @december2020 💐

I’m so sorry @december2020 sending you lots of love

Oh my word December2020! What a terrible shock for you. Was she quite young? I imagine so because you are only young yourself I think.

I send all my thoughts and sympathy. You might not have seen, but I have mentioned it before, but my Mum died earlier this month. However she was a very old lady and it wasn't totally out of the blue. Please accept these and my condolences .

Oh, December2020 what a shock. Look after yourself.

So sorry @december2020 . Both of my parents died suddenly, and the shock is immense, especially if they were previously healthy. As regards drinking, you already know that it won't make things any easier. Or you may find you don't want to drink - I couldn't face alcohol for a month after my Dad died, or about a week after my mum. Be kind to yourself. 💐

What a shock @december2020, my thoughts are with you and @LindorDoubleChoc losing your Mum is hard, even when you are expecting it.

So sorry to hear @december2020 - I'd be kind to yourself personally and do what you need to get through x

So sorry @december2020 go easy on yourself. We're all thinking of you, I'm sure. Xx

💐@december2020 sorry to hear your news. Take care of yourself x

So sorry to hear this. My mum died suddenly last year, she wasn't even 60. Obviously dry January is the last thing on your mind but I would say grief is easier to manage when you are sober. I found when I had a drink my emotions would get out of control. You take care of yourself

I'm so sorry to read your news @december2020 look after yourself 💐

Well everyone, I need hardly wish you good luck and stay strong tonight. It's not like anyone is going to fall at the last hurdle now, is it?
It's been great keeping it dry with you all this January, whichever membership level of the Alcohol Resistance Movement you have subscribed to: frequent posters, infrequent posters, lurkers, occasional visitors... I do hope you gained something from it.
But, just in case you do need it tonight...

Good luck and stay strong 💪💪👊

Well,I managed 22 nights AF in total. Not a full DJ but a vast improvement . Well done to all who managed the whole month.
I'm going for another 20 days for Feb.
Thanks for all the support on the thread

@december2020 so sorry for your loss 🥲

So sorry for your loss December. Thinking of you 💐

Well done to everyone for getting here💪We did it!

And thanks so much @HPLikecraft for steering us through so expertly. I've loved the daily percentage updates!