Anybody else doing Sober October?

[Trodincatsickagain]

I know there’s been a long running thread for years for dry January but I fancy having a break through October, in preparation for Xmas, give the liver a break beforehand - that is all meant very tongue in cheek 😜

Anyone fancy joining?

Just checking in 👋 it’s been a busy week and also had a bad cold so haven’t had chance to come on here but will look forward to a slow Sunday morning browsing and catching up.

Im still (back) on the wagon with no further slip ups other than the 2 earlier in the month. However with the cold I haven’t felt much like drinking anyway as I’ve been too congested and dosed up on beechams etc.

Feels great to almost be 2/3 there and I’m thinking that would be a good ratio for me to enter November with once sober October is done - be AF 2/3 of the time. That may not be enough for some but would be a huge improvement for me, seeing as my wine drinking is mainly done at home in front of the tv (not out taking shots at my age!)

Plans for the week, reading, cross stitch (got a Xmas gift to make progress on), fresh air walks and sobriety.

Now to catch up on the threads. Happy Sunday all.

Well done @Youngatheart00 - The hardest part is getting back on after a slip, I know it is for me. Look after yourself with that cold and enjoy a lazy Sunday morning 😊

Morning all, just checking in from Chateau Baking; managed another AF evening, which I’m pleased with & definitely feeling sharper than I would have done if last night had included wine.
Love your weekend, @Youngatheart00it sounds relaxing and fun

Making Christmas cakes really isn’t hard, TrodIn, but it does involve a bit of general faff & organisation tbh. It’s just a simple cake recipe with loads of extras & a (much) longer baking time.
Today I shall be adding up the weight of dried fruit in the pantry (bought a few packs over the last few weeks) & deciding / finding what to soak it in; this year may be normal Yorkshire tea & possibly rum if we have any, rather than brandy (we def don’t have any of that). I’ll probably soak that overnight & calculate how much basic sponge mix to surround it with. Lining the tins is probably a task for tomorrow or tonight if I need distraction!

No brownies here this weekend as we already have cake, but may make bread later - low effort again, using the mixer and patience again!
It’s good to be achieving so much!

My DM use to make Delia’s Christmas cake every year and I use to love helping out, probably drove DM mad, but I loved all the build up to Xmas and very happy memories.

Well done on another af evening! I know what you mean by feeling sharper, my focus is always better when I’m not drinking and my memory definitely improves. The older I get the more aware I become of the link between drinking and dementia and yet another reason for trying to stay af as long as possible. Anyway enough of the heavy stuff for a Sunday morning!

I woke myself up at 3:15 last night due to a very vivid dream. I was staying in a hotel (haven’t stayed in one for years!) and went into the bathroom to use the toilet. I put my knitting on the side of the sink and as I flushed the toilet, I somehow managed to drop my knitting, needles and ball of wool, straight down it. I tried desperately to fish it out, but couldn’t and watched in panic as it clogged the toilet and water started pouring out over the top of the bowl and all over the floor..! I wonder if there’s some deep meaning hidden in there or just that I lead a really boring life 😆

Noooooo!!!! TrodIn that’s so traumatic, did you wake up in a cold sweat? (Would make a change from a hot one here!) Bet your pulse was sky high after that - it’s amazing what a physiological effect that a vivid dream can have.
Thank goodness it’s not true!
(Maybe we should donate some of the money we’re saving & send you to a lovely hotel for a night, you can report back - “AIBU to admit to blocking a hotel’s plumbing network to recreate a dream?”)

Actually, I reckon your Mum loved those Delia sessions with you, especially as you will have interacted with the process more & more each year 🥰
2kg of dried fruit now soaking in tea and a bit of rum (lid on bowl so nothing evaporates) The rum aroma was a bit off-putting if I’m honest, which was nice!

I’ve also been having vivid dreams!

As ever they mostly involve travelling stresses (rushing to pack, getting the wrong/missing planes and trains). Last night involves being on an important zoom call and having tech problems and loads of children I was somehow looking after appearing behind me. Looking for the hidden meaning...

Nearly another weekend done, well done everyone! And also sounds nice with cake making (and definitely Trod’s mum would have treasured the Christmas ritual).

Ive put weight on this week.....
My sleep is worse than before going AF....
And I really want a large glass of red wine... ( but I haven't got any..)

Ah yes, but think of all those other health benefits that are happening and how well you’ve done! Those lbs will soon drop off. I know my eating increased, especially for the sweet stuff for the first few weeks, but it will soon settle as will the sleep.

I’m with you with the 🍷 I met a friend for a coffee and walk earlier and when I got home, all I wanted was to do was relax and enjoy a nice glass, (or more likely 2/3rds of a bottle!)

@darkmoor - having googled, apparently blocking the toilet can signify not dealing with life’s ‘waste’ and over flowing emotions and yours can symbolise barriers in communication and feeling overwhelmed - I think we both just clearly need a drink! 🤣

@HotTiredDog I woke up in a panic thinking it had actually happened and then of course was wide awake for a good 90 mins after, but all good as I slept in later to catch up.

Apart from the odd Barcardi, dark rum has never been my thing, but of course love it in cakes/puds. Do you feed the cake once it’s done, is this a recipe that you’ve had for years?

😂

You are right! Onwards and upwards as they say!

Nah, it’s not an ancient recipe at all - just something that I have a try at each year! I usually make quite a few & give most of them away.
Last year’s was a bit crumbly tbh, think that was due to too much ground almond in the mix. This year I’ll probably add a bit more treacle to give a darker colour & no almonds! But as I’m likely to be making a couple of batches it’ll all be alright (obvs will keep the best for us 😁)

Meanwhile, back in the present, M actually having a beer because I’m trying to get my head around my DC leaving home. They have a job in another city & a starting date a bit before what was expected so I’m trying to get my emotional head around it. Even typing that makes
me want to cry! I know they will be happy & their adventures are just beginning, but my word I’ll miss them.

For those of you who are staying strong, well done 👏

I can totally understand that @HotTiredDog, it’s such an emotional wrench when they leave home 😞 . You’ve done so well, 18 days is not to be sniffed at! and we’re always here if you fancy jumping back on board later 💐

Oh I’ll be back tomorrow!
Thank you x

@HotTiredDog - it’s so emotional 🥲, even Dd starting Uni 3 weeks ago I kept crying intermittently for a week and even now things make me well up. Don’t feel bad.

Ive also had a G&T ( well actually a couple of home measures ) not for any other reason than DH was having a beer as it’s his weekend off. So that 2 slip ups now 🙄

The one thing I noticed nearly instantly though was the anxiety creeping straight back in, that panicky feeling for no reason which I haven’t had since starting this journey.

So along with you @HotTiredDog back on the wagon tomorrow.
Well done to everyone who’s stayed AF this weekend 👍🏻

You’re so right @Nearlyadoctor the anxiety is already visiting! Really wish I wasn’t panicking, either - what the dickens is in this stuff, eh?!
it definitely caused me to want all these chocolates too 😠😆

Morning all,
If you don’t mind, I’ll start with a little reminder for myself: don’t drink for emotional reasons - it does not make you feel good - it’s just a trick to beat your willpower. So it won’t happen again!

How are you today, Nearly? Totally understand your motivation for a G&T, hope you enjoyed your time with DH. Thanks for your kind words last night.

it’s not that long until the end of the month so let’s do it!

Thank you & have a good day xx

Good morning!

So pleased that you’re still with us @HotTiredDog and @Nearlyadoctor. As I’ve said so many times already on this thread, this challenge isn’t about sticking to it rigidly but about increasing those times in between that we don’t drink and looking at the reasons why we do, as you have recognised HotTiredDog. We’ve still got a way to go yet, so plenty of time to keep practicing! 😊

I hope everyone had a good weekend? And here’s upwards and onwards to day 20! 💪

@HotTiredDog - to only fall of the wagon once or twice in a month is such an improvement so we should still feel chuffed.
This thread is great as it makes me feel answerable for my actions 😂.
My biggest problem is once I have one drink I want another which is where the problem lies.

The return of the panicky feeling yesterday though was a shock - I don’t get it in the summer , just in the winter as the nights draw in. It just shows that only one or two drinks ( albeit large ones) makes the difference.

Back at work but on an admin day today , day off tomorrow and then two full on days of patients Weds/thurs but in general a much calmer week than the last one.

Have a lovely day everyone 😊

Evening All - Another Monday down and almost at the 3 week mark!

It’s a tricky time for me now, I’m starting to feel better physically and it makes it easy to forget the reasons that I decided to do this, so I’ve been reminding myself today of the reality of those hangovers and all the other negatives that go with drinking and will keep plodding on, one day at a time!

Hope everyone else is doing ok and hanging on in there? And hope that @Nearlyadoctor and @HotTiredDog that you’re both feeling a bit better now and that the anxiety is abating.

Have a good evening!

Three weeks is amazing!
You’re definitely right about the psychological aspect (with hindsight it was part of my Sunday misadventures ) so I can vouch for them being real - me and Nearly did it so you didn’t have to!
One day at a time is an excellent mantra TrodIn, though I’m trying to keep the old country song from becoming an ear-worm!

Meanwhile, today’s been another cooking day - more gentle prep for C Cakes, baking those tomorrow. Also my DPs were scheduled to come for tea but I’d forgotten However, thanks to a few frozen items & some store cupboard bits we managed - phew! So that kept me occupied

Did you manage to get outside today, TrodIn?
And how was your admin day, Nearly? Do you have anything planned for your day off?

Hope all the quiet ones on here are keeping going too 💪

Morning everyone 👋. Glad you had a productive day @HotTiredDog , and managed to pull some tea together for DP’s.

Admin day was busy but was home by 5.30 but having a drink never even crossed my mind. TBH the anxiety rush was bigger than the alcohol hit and I can do without that. I’d love to just be able to have a few drinks socially as and when and maybe a baileys etc at home over Christmas. It is just the habit of drinking wine 🍷 I want to avoid again.

Day off, DH has brought me up a cup of tea and gone to work. I’m not moving any mountains today, a dog walk, small food shop, a little bit of housework and then maybe read my book or even start a jigsaw . I’ve got one I was bought about 2 years ago that I’ve never done.

Well done @Trodincatsickagain - you’re nearly at the finish have stayed remarkably strong throughout. Have a lovely day .

Hi everyone, hope you’re having as good a Tuesday as you can; Tuesdays always struck me as practical, achieving days - not like Mondays which are ooh-it’s-a-new-week optimistic days, a bit more energetic to begin with. By Tuesday it’s more of a oh-bugger-still-the-same-best-get-on-with-it-eh type of day

Anyway, I hope you’ve done all the housework now Nearly & can get on with a bit of Jigsaw-ing.

TrodIn, how are you today? You’re quiet - are you on an autumnal walk? Hope all is well with you 💐

Afternoon!

How is everyone on day 21? We finally made it to the 3 week mark and I hope that everyone is feeling good and hanging on in there? What are everyone’s plans, to determinedly get through or try and go a bit further?

I think we’ve become a small and intimate group now @HotTiredDog but the bonus is I can actually remember posters, which is always a good thing with my menopausal brain 😁

@Nearlyadoctor I’m pleased that you’re feeling better and I can totally relate to only wanting to drink on occasions /going out, however, I’m not sure for me that I would manage that yet, I’m pretty sure that I would go straight back to that bottle of wine!

I work on a Tuesday morning @HotTiredDog, only for a few hours, but it gets me out and I enjoy the social aspect, as well as keeping the old brain ticking over! But back home now and sitting here with me decaf ☕️, no biscuits though unfortunately. I hope that you’ve had a good morning and if you’ve been heavy at the housework that you’re resting now. Jigsaws sound good!