DRY JANUARY 2025! Join us for a healthier start to the year! All welcome 🥤☕️🧋

[HPLikecraft]

It’s that time of year again!
If you need a detox, to lose weight, to be healthier, to undo some seasonal overindulgence, to sleep better, to look better, to have healthier skin, to save money, boost liver function, improve your memory, or to decrease your likelihood of dying earlier of various nasty illnesses (sorry for the sudden hard ball!) then you’ve come to the right place!

The MN DJ2025 Chat thread is for anyone who wants to reset their relationship with alcohol; whether you’re a weekend tippler or a problem heavier drinker.
This is a friendly, non-judgmental thread where we support and encourage each other, exchange ideas and information, share alcohol-free drinks recommendations etc.

Hopefully we’ll have some fun along the way. Please hop aboard the good ship DJ 2025, everyone welcome!

Well done everyone, another Saturday done, only one more Saturday to go!

Yes, and only eight more difficult days to get through. I say that because once I get to Monday 27th, I’ll be very confident that I can achieve this.

Day 19 and am dreading today - I have another social occasion that will be very challenging.

Morning all.
Well for accountability I am posting. I have drank on three separate occasions now but although I am disappointed and even ashamed of myself, I'm looking at the month as a whole and if I only have three "wet" days then that's still a win.
What I've noticed is my hangovers are horrific and I'm irritable, depressed and hangry the entire next day and my face is bloated with eye bags like bloody pillows.
So I'm starting to really see the negatives in drinking ( the way I do which is hard and fast I'm not talking about anyone's else's drinking) and I'm hoping to wean myself off.
For be ive had several social events that I've stated dry at this month and even enjoyed them but I seem to want to drink alone at home. Is that because I don't have ti worry about whst people think?
Anyway huge congrats to those who have not given in. I'm definitely not drinking for the rest of this month and hoping to continue into February ( to atone for my January sins!)
Personally I feel so bad the day after I drink that it's just not worth it ( though I have said that a 1000 times now!)

Personally I feel so bad the day after I drink that it's just not worth it ( though I have said that a 1000 times now!)

I don’t think you can say it enough TBH - remembering just how bad alcohol makes you feel is real motivation to keep going.

I was previously drinking 7 days a week, so drinking just 3 days in a whole month is something I would consider a huge achievement.

Congratulations to everyone else who made it through another Saturday night - which must be the most challenging night of the week! I found myself watching an entire film without either losing interest mid-way or falling asleep, which is my usual Saturday night after a few glasses of wine pattern. And I can remember the entire storyline....

@newme2025
Thanks yes I was a five times a week girl do this is a definite improvement!
And yes I think the longer you are dry the more you notice the terrible effects it has on you!
You are doing amazingly to have not succumbed

@SwiftyFifty I also gave in last night. That's two occasions for me now across January so overall I am pretty pleased because it's a huge cut down, and I agree with you that it's definitely highlighting the negatives for me and realising that I don't really 'need' it.

I was perfectly relaxed doing my knitting with a film on last night, so why did I think adding wine to the mix was necessary? I drank a bottle of wine, plus a mini bottle and I didn't stop there. I opened a bottle of port someone gave me and had a very generous measure with lemonade, so it's safe to say I can feel it today!! A bit TMI but I had to go to the loo very first thing which clearly means my body is trying to get rid of something!

Back to my nice new nightly routine I've created for myself this month, which I've really been enjoying!

Well done on those who have stuck to it!

Sorry to hear you've had some awful news @MabelsBeats - well done for not turning to the booze. I've been reading This Naked Mind and it talks about how being AF means you allow yourself to feel things properly rather than drowning it in booze, which I'm guessing is harder in the moment but better for you overall. Apologies if that's insensitive to say depending on your news x

Thank you for the kind messages. I need a hysterectomy, which I’d come to terms with, but yesterday they said likely ovaries out too, which means immediate menopause and I’m so scared.

I know people have much worse things going on, but it just hit me hard.

Off out, but thought I’d pop in quick to say good morning. Well done to everyone still here, even if you’ve “sinned”

Ill post again later 💪

@HollyGolightly4 how did you get on last night in the end? Hope you did some sort of self care. Been there and it's horrible 

@MabelsBeats so sorry to read that. You're allowed to be upset about it even if some people do 'have it worse'. It's a lot to take in I imagine do you know when it's happening yet or are you on the waiting list?

I fell off the wagon as well I’m afraid. I don’t regret it as it was a conscious choice but I did feel terrible at 2am so it definitely reminded me why I want to do this! Well done to everyone who stayed dry.

@MabelsBeats sorry you’ve had that news, that must be very tough to deal with

@TryingDry25 panettone, chocolate and plenty of tea 🙈. I'm going to try to have a self care day today and get the right balance of productive Vs enjoying myself. Thanks 💐.

I think we should all buy ourselves some flowers! We're all trying so hard. I think the daffodils might be available even if funds are tight!

For be ive had several social events that I've stated dry at this month and even enjoyed them but I seem to want to drink alone at home. Is that because I don't have ti worry about whst people think?

this is very insightful and probably true for me too. Sometimes. I get a head on me, other times it’s easy to moderate.

A bit late to the thread, but I'm DJing too. The time I most crave a drink is when I'm cooking the family evening meal. It somehow makes it more fun and alleviates the boredom. I've held off so far. Having some interesting soft drinks has helped.
I've found it funny how some friends are keen to tell you DJ is a waste of time, but that actually makes me more determined to succeed. I've done it once before, and gave up on the 21st, so I'll feel quite a sense of achievement if I manage the whole month.

Just checking in to say I'm still hanging in there and haven't had a drink since Dec 31st now. I had a look at the non alcohol section in the supermarket on friday and was shocked how expensive it all is - is a bottle of non alcoholic wine worth it? Anyone tried it?

is a bottle of non alcoholic wine worth it?

Absolutely not worth it IME. It’s quite revolting and doesn’t taste anything like the real thing. AF beer can be good though.

Still here and still dry! Really feeling the positive effects, clear head, increased energy, decreased weight because I'm not making bad hungover food choices.

Still loving the fact that my weekends are now feeling sooo long! I've been up and about since 6.30am, showered, house cleaned and laundry done, shopping delivery put away and I'm off out to meet a friend for lunch and then meeting my parents for dinner. The day seems so much longer when I'm not hungover and unenthusiastic!

Congrats to all those who have stayed dry, and to those who are jumping back on the wagon. Just remember that everyday single day you have been dry, you mind and body will thank you so 1 or 2 wet days only is still a super achievement x

If anyone is interested, Tesco has clubcard deals on non alcoholic spirits including captain Morgan's and Gordon's. I didn't go for any, because I'm trying to be a bit healthier in the second half of the month!

I tried the Nosecco Rose last year and didn't like it at all. Had to throw it out! It had a weird 'farty' smell which is probably sulfites. Haven't bothered with anything else.

Would rather plain old lime and soda or green tea. Something not too sweet.

Hanging in there but feeling very flat. Got friends coming round soon for a couple of hours and am dreading not drinking.

You can do it @newme2025 just pay it forward for tomorrow morning!

Ooof - still dry after a stressful day at A&E with DM & a return drive on a terrifying road (I’m not the worlds most confident driver 😅).

Weirdly I don’t feel tempted to drink - partly motivated by the fact that DM is under strict instructions to call me if she’s unwell & I've told her I’m doing DJ so I can drive her to the hospital at any time so I really have to stick to DJ now!

Double whammy today of social occasion and some unexpected, unsettling news. I was very tempted just to say screw it and open a bottle. Managed to cling on but have been in a low mood.

I was weighing up the positives and negatives of DJ earlier.

Negatives: social situations are a nightmare without wine - I’d rather avoid people totally than socialize sober, which obviously isn’t healthy. I feel flat or subdued and often feel like I’m just “getting through” the month and counting down the days.

Positives: I’m calmer, less anxious, less irritable, sleeping better, feeling good physically (my insides feel noticeably better), I’ve lost a few lbs and am more productive.

I'm guessing you're on the wrong thread! Sounds like your waters have broken??? If that is the case, best of luck! Hope everything goes great x 😅