So cross with myself

[tryingtobethebestican]

I'm really gutted and disappointed and annoyed with myself. I made a decision to try really hard to do dry January but have drunk a bottle and a half of wine tonight . I am so annoyed after about ten years of drinking a bottle a night I decided to try and stop but have only managed one night 😢 I was really proud of myself last night for just having water and hot choc but now feel really despondent. Sorry just sounding odd really.

Sounding out not odd

Tomorrow is another day, fresh start. There's a good reason for the saying 'one day at a time'. Today it is exactly 8 years since my last drink. You can do this

Thank you @Weezol that means a lot for how I'm feeling atm. Well done to your you should feel really proud of yourself I hope I'm in you re position in 8 yrs time. 😊

Yes, tomorrow is another day. You managed one night, you can do it again.

Do you have a close friend you can trust to say 'well done' for every night of not drinking? I did this for a friend a few years ago, and she has not touched a drop in ages. Her life has completely changed. She is now doing the same for me, because I drank a bottle of wine nearly every evening over Christmas and scared myself. I'm on dry day three, I'll keep you company x

Progress, not perfection. Tomorrow is a new day.

Well done @TinWhistleTunes and thank you. no I don't have anyone I can really talk to about it. Well my boyfriend who is seeking help through the gp but he decided to have a few beers andcelebrity big brother was on so an excuse - and I know it is an excuse- to stay up late and finish the bottle and start and finishing another one

Thanks for yr positivity @ReggaetonLente I love that song!!

I'm reading a book by Jason Vale called How to kick the drink easily, granted I'm only on day 4 of no alcohol and I've not yet finished it but already feel very differently about my drinking. I was looking for something to help me cut down but I'm now thinking I'm just going to stop completely. For the first time I'm envisaging a life without alcohol and nobody is more surprised about it than I am!

@Mrscaindingle do you really feel like that? It's annoying cos I would love to just have a drink at the weekend or something but one I start I don't seem able to stop - sadly

At the moment I do, the book is based on challenging your beliefs around alcohol and how enjoyable you perceive it to be. One of the aspects that appeals to me is not seeing being abstinent as a penance, something to be endured until you can drink again. I realised that I am sick of trying to control my intake all the time and feeling guilty when I don't stick to it. As I said its early days for me but I have never felt this way about giving up before.

That's exactly why I stopped. If I'm having one it means I'm having 10, 15, 20.
About five days in I suddenly noticed that feeling shit in the morning was no longer my default state - that was quite a revelation.

Thanks guys. Well after waking up this morning with a racing heartbeat, stomach cramps and feeling generally blurring - meant bleeurrrgh actually but blurring is a good description! My kitchen is an absolute tip too. I have decided I am going to try really really hard tonight.
I also remembered after you saying about the Jason Vale book, I downloaded a book by Allen Carr - the easy way to control alcohol - onto my iPad a couple of years ago.
I think it's time to read it

Good luck trying!
Don't be too hard on yourself it's not easy.
The fact that you want to do it is the first step.
Have you seen the Soberistas site?
Has some helpful insight:
https://soberistas.com

Also the BraveBabesBattleBus thread on here is very good & non-judgemental.

Have a lovely AF day

The Brave Babes Battle Bus - Braving The Wine Witch & Her Alcohol Free Autumn
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/relationships/3075894-the-brave-babes-battle-bus-braving-the-wine-witch-her-alcohol-free-autumn

Thank you @SmiledWithTheRisingSun someone else recommended the brave babes bus and you're right people on there are very supportive and non-judgey so posted on there last night for the first time.
Will now have a look at the website you suggested. I think I will try anything that will help

Glad you're feeling more positive today, mentally that is, even if not physically. Allen Carr and Jason Vale both worked together and I think their books are similar. I like the approach as its not about a daily struggle, feeling deprived and one day at a time mentality. But more about focusing on all you will gain and that actually by giving up alcohol you are missing out on nothing. I feel excited about it although know it's going to be a challenge, especially other people's attitudes, I can already predict those who are not going to like the new me.

There is a pod cast on radio 4's women's hour yesterday talking about exactly this if you're looking for some more inspiration.

I’m feeling a little better after reading this thread. I managed 5 nights not drinking alcohol before caving. Have realised no point beating myself up just need to try again. I’m really disappointed in myself. I’m going to have a look at some of the sites / books mentioned here.

@Els1e yes don't worry and beat yourself up about it....I was so annoyed when I drank on Tuesday but have managed to do Wednesday Thursday Friday and Saturday AF now 😀 do look at the brave babes bus thread, everyone on there is going through - or has been through - the same thing and no one will judge you at all , just be supportive and encouraging.

Thanks OP. And well done - you are doing brilliantly. I’ve read somewhere that if you can do something 21 times, it becomes a habit. So going to try and not drink for 21 days, then hope to be able to carry it through to a month.

tryingtobethebestican Have you seen this thread here, started by Frouby? It might not necessarily help you, but it is helping me...