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?

You nutter 😂

Friday at last and I’ve settled down for the evening with the knitting already. No great urges for a glass of wine tonight, long may it last and I have the hot chocolate at the ready.

Hope everybody’s feeling good about the weekend and not struggling too much? I can’t believe how quickly the month seems to be going or is that just me?

Have a good evening Troops!

Evening! Enjoy your hot choc! I like the low cal one you get at the supermarket with some of those mini marshmallows.

Long week at work for me but it's finally the weekend, hurrah.

I've got some AF pink gin and it's surprisingly good! Been wanting to try some of the alternative drinks other than AF lager.

Just got home, had a ridiculous urge for wine 🍷 when I was at work ( to look forward to when I got home, not to drink at work 😂😂). But driving home I thought about how much I hate the interrupted sleep I get and I’m definitely starting to sleep better.
Hopefully everyone else is starting to feel a benefit in one form or another.

Yes, but really, really badly 😢

@Pollqueen how can we help to motivate, distract or support you?

@Pollqueen I really believe it’s not about nailing it 100% but about taking part and giving yourself the opportunity to look a closer look at your drinking habits, so just climb back on board when you can. Each day is a fresh start and even a few days under your belt is an achievement.

@Nearlyadoctor, it’s so automatic isn’t it that thinking? Friday night, end of work = glass of wine and then your remember you’re doing sober October 😄 but hopefully you’re starting to or will soon feel the benefits of this time off.

@MissyElif AF Pink Gin sounds good, I might give that a go as I haven’t really enjoyed the af wines, they’re all too sweet for me.

@trodincatsickagainthank you for that. It means a lot. I started well at the beginning of the month but blew it tonight after a really busy and hard week. But you're right, tomorrow is another day and I will jump back on the wagon. I do need to so will stay on this thread and 🙏 I can do better. Thank you

Bought some AF gin and rum. Not keen on the gin but my husband likes it. The rum is actually quite tasty though. It definitely helps on the rough, I want a glass of wine, days. Can’t decide if it’s a good idea or not…

I’ve failed again 😞 been lonely and ordered a bottle of wine to accompany my Friday night take out. I am not even working at the moment due to redundancy so I don’t get the Friday feeling anymore. The wine has helped me relax but I realise there’s a problem if I really can’t go without.

I am full of admiration for those still on the wagon, I’ll bow out now because I feel like failing twice just isn’t good enough and any sense of achievement I hoped for won’t happen

I’m so sorry you feel like you’ve failed, @Youngatheart00Please don’t be so hard on yourself, you have had a blip, that’s all! Look at the others on this thread who have done it too - and they’re only the ones who admit to it!!
Please don’t stop now, each day that you go without alcohol is an achievement, it doesn’t matter at all if all the days aren’t consecutive. We’re here to do our best, not to be perfect 💐
As TrodIn and Nearlyadoctor, I think it was, we’re saying upthread, it’s a flippin hard habit to break; talcohol often has such strong grips on us all by way of years old habits.
We’ve got you if you would like to stay 🤗

Thank you 🥺 I’ve done 8 AF days out of 10, going from a base of 2 bottles of wine a day with AF days pretty much unknown over the past year. My slip ups have been driven by emotion and the need to numb, I need to work on ways to deal with that emotion without turning to the bottle, which is tough.

In an attempt to be virtuous and once again climb back on the wagon, I’m up very bright and early and heading for a swim shortly whilst the pool is quiet.

Thank you for being accommodating and this community is really wonderful, I think without it I would just say “oh I’ve failed” and go back to old habits, rather than feeling able to get back to it. My friends and family know I’m doing sober October and don’t know about my slip ups, I hate lying but I think I’ll just get to month end the best I can do, and at the end of the day it is no one else’s business but my own.

@Youngatheart00 Last year I attempted sober October and failed miserably, dry January I got just over 2 weeks in and failed again, but it got me really thinking about my alcohol consumption and throughout this year I’ve been trying to stretch the time out between when I have a drink. It hasn’t always been easy but slowly my mindset is changing. As HotTiredDog said, every day without alcohol is so positive and you’ve proved to yourself that you can get those days under your belt without a drink. Enjoy your swim this morning and no guilt or berating yourself. Just one day at a time and keep using these threads for support - we’ve all been there!

Good morning Peeps - Day 11!!!

Those bloody pesky 🐈 woke me at 5 this morning, it’s normally fine as I’m an early riser but I could have done with a lie in this morning, but I have nothing major planned for today and intend to just potter and take it easy.

Well done to everyone for making it this far and hanging on in! I really believe that having the support on here really does help, so let’s keep on keeping on! 💪

@Youngatheart00 - I’ve tried dry January 3 times and failed every time so don’t feel bad 😞
Slept dreadfully last night, just in fits and starts which was a shame as I thought sleep was improving.
Day 11 🥳- just off to meet a friend for a dog walk.
Have a good day everyone !

Well done everyone, there are no failures here, as each day without alcohol is good for you. To horribly paraphase an old proverb, the best time to have a break from drinking was maybe a few years ago. The second best time is today.

Hi. Feeling a bit down at the moment, not entirely sure why other than the evening stretching ahead of me (not on my own, have MiL & DH)
A beer would be nice, not too cold - my “in the moment” reason for not having one is that my gastritis is bad & I know it would be problematic to drink anything fizzy or alcoholic.
Did baking again this morning to get the “sense of achievement” that I need. Pleased with results; today I can offer sticky toffee pudding (& custard if there’s some in the cupboard).
Just need a bit of motivation to get out of my own little head & get on with the next bit of the day.

Hope you’re all doing well & getting ready for glitzy nights out or Strictly or whatever floats your super-sober boats 💐

Hang on in there @HotTiredDog You’ve done so well! I think that down feeling is quite usual when you first give up alcohol, I know that it is for me. We’re all so use to winding down and escaping with a drink that when it’s not an option, life can seem pretty flat, but I promise that it does get better. Your Gastritis would really not be happy with a drink, so just think of all the benefits that you’re doing for your body, even if it does feel like a hard slog at the moment 💐

And sticky toffee pudding is my next favourite to chocolate cake! But it would have to be thick double cream for me 😋

Evening!!!!

Home earlier than expected but absolutely shattered and pleased to say that toast and peanut butter with a decaf cup of tea is hitting the mark tonight. I know how to live the high life! 🤪

I hope that everyone has had a good Saturday and that you’re all feeling positive about this evening and loaded up with your favourite AF drinks 🍹

May I join you, even if it's a bit late?

Hi @hels71 you’re very welcome! How are you today?

Thanks TrodIn, you’re totally right, and your support is much appreciated. I’ll send a huge piece of pud for
you xx

Forgot to say - oooh - toast & pb sounds delicious!

Welcome @hels71 - the more the merrier and it’s never too late!

Welcome @hels71 - never too late 😊