First Christmas party

[Beachcountrysidetown]

I went to my first Christmas party last night after deciding to go sober last month and after the initial “oh I’d like a prosecco” feeling and feeling embarrassed refusing it I stayed to the fizzy water and felt amazing! Yes people were saying “omg you’re not drinking over Christmas” etc but I stayed strong! I’m so proud!
My drinking wasn’t every day, and I wasn’t dependent but I certainly had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. When I’d go out I never knew when to stop and would drink far too much. I was the party one, the one who always wanted to stay out the latest but would then pick fights with my husband and wake up with blanks from the evening and needing to spend the next day in bed. I’m so pleased I’ve made this choice! Next Christmas party this weekend... looking forward to getting another one under my belt!!

That's brilliant. Excellent work OP. I have my Christmas party next week, which is an all inclusive type affair. I'm feeling pretty good about doing it sober too.

How long have you been alcohol free Lamentations?

Not long, not even a month but this is the first time I've had the honestly held belief and more importantly acceptance that it's over.

I actually intended to stop after Christmas because of the party, Christmas itself and a couple of other already booked events but in the middle of a particularly awful night last month I realised that I didn't have to wait and that that day was the right day. It was actually a huge relief after years of knowing that it needed to stop and not being able to get my head around 'never'.

That’s brilliant- well done! Was your experience of drinking similar to mine?

I didn't have blackouts but I'd been drinking heavily for years. Very unhealthy relationship with drink.

The best part about going to these parties sober is that you can observe how everyone changes as the evening goes on.

That's brilliant you've done so well. I've been alcohol free since September and looking forward to my first Christmas with no hangovers. Merry Christmas x

I still recall what a pleasant surprise it was not feeling like hell in the morning.

My experience of drinking is similar to yours, however I suffer from terrible anxiety. Went to a Christmas party last night, got absolutely shit faced, overshared, have blanks and it's making my anxiety so much worse today. So that's it for me now. Christmas or no Christmas!

I stopped in Feb. I needed too (badly). Our very alcohol fuelled party was on Friday night. I had three mocktails (that looked fab) and was home in bed by 10.pm. I know there’ll be horrendous tales told this morning when I get in, thankfully I’ll not be in any of them.
Well done everyone. All I’d say is that the reality of not drinking at the party was not as bad as my expectation of what it would be like.

Excellent work! I too am going sober. I have never had longer than 10 days under my belt.

But this year my unhealthy relationship with alcohol has got worse and worse. I've had enough.

I feel a sober revolution coming on.

Anyone reading any of the Annie Grace, William Porter or The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober?

The joy of waking up remembering everything, no shame or guilt is worth millions!

Merry SOBER Christmas