Anyone else stopping completely in 2020?

[Drybird2020]

I don't mean moderating or cutting down, I know that I can't control my drinking this way and I need to stop.

I have stopped for periods of time before and enjoyed the peace of not thinking about alcohol, or stressing about my consumption, or negotiating with myself about whether or not to get a bottle of wine on the way home on a Wednesday night.
There's no point in doing dry January, because I will just use it to justify a wet February.

There used to be a series of threads for total abstinence, think it was in Relationships but it seems to have tailed off. I could really do with a place to talk about this, but with an emphasis on being dry, not moderate. And if nobody else is keen I can use it as somewhere to witter away to myself.

@Ontheshingle I love an hour on twitter scrolling through dribble from 'The Donald' 😁 Well done on getting past the moment!

I've just got out of the bath, I'm planning a blog (just some where to put my vegan recipes and zero waste goals really) planning my allotment/garden for the year ahead. It helps me to see the benefit when I feel productive. I think I've crammed more into these 10 days than I usually do in a month in terms of personal growth.

What are we all drinking this eve?

Can a coke (£1) in an old man's club watching B/F play darts. Just eaten an out of date packet of nuts (05/10/19)

Hello all, and thank you @Ontheshingle @HouseTornado @Nickynackienoo and others for the incredibly helpful words of support yesterday when I was wavering. So nice to know I'm not the only one unsure of committing to for ever.

Also, who mentioned a kindle? This is a BRILLIANT idea as DH is always asleep before me but gets annoyed if I read late. Is a paperwhite the way to go? That is going to be my treat once I get paid next week.

Lovely thread! Tonight we lit a fire, DH went out to the pub with the boys, and I sat in with my children watching some bollocks like Traffic Cops, I think it was called, and sewing nametapes onto uniform. Hot chocolate and a Twirl was about as thrilling as it got.

Now I'm off to google Kindles!

It was me Growingboys - I have treated myself to a paper white as the Kindle fire I used to have has been commandeered for Minecraft by one of my sons! It is a treat just for me - and I am really excited about it. Even treated myself to a case in my favourite colour
In bed now, day 13 complete!

Can any of you tell me if the kindle is worth getting to use instead of an iPad? I usually use an ipad or book/lamp combo and get on ok with that but it would be nice to be able to read without disturbing my husband sleeping. Convince me I need one to give me an excuse 😁

@Saltypotato the kindle is better outside as you don't get any glare and it's also smaller so easier to hold in one hand. The battery life is also better. I got the new paper white last December after my ancient kindle keyboard fell on the ground and broke, and I love it. Having a lovely cover also helps with the enjoyment

Oh and it's not the type of light that disturbs your sleep pattern, I forget what it's called.

Morning all.! Day 10 done ✅ WELL DONE to you all.

Still feeling groggy and full of cold.. I do however think my complexion is improving.

Stay focused all, happy weekend xx

Morning Dotty and everyone else. Hope people are waking up refreshed.

DS and DP already had a huge row about Minecraft...at least I'm not having to referee it with a hangover...

What are people up to today?

😂@HouseTornado we have two mine craft mad boys here to.. one is still asleep the down stairs quietly attached to his iPad.

We have a whole host of home stuff to do this weekend including putting together a triple bed frame and dismantling two single beds.. storage/tip runs and if it stays dry a garden tidy up.

Morning all!

Loving the Kindle excitement -
Day 19.

Visited family for a meal yesterday and everyone drank soft drinks (usually v boozy affairs)it was a lovely supportive thing to do and one that I didn't expect as haven't really talked about my sober journey just mentioned giving up for health benefits.
Off to town today with DP to buy some essentials for ... a job interview ... Arghhhh!
Really hoping this is the fresh new start that I so need! Fingers crossed x100!

Have a great day whatever you are doing!

Thanks for all the Kindle tips - definitely top of my list on payday! And I'm sold on the lovely cover too.

Didn't know you could play games on it @TreesSandSea - hope my DC don't discover this!

Day 30 here and feeling quite positive. Cooking with my two older DC this morning and maybe a run later if I can be bothered.

Does anyone follow Claire Pooley on insta? She's posted a pic of two very handsome sober men that gave me some encouragement- worth a look!

The motivational quote I got this morning made me cry so I thought I’d share it.
“All those people in your future, they’re rooting for you right now”

Hello. AF for years. Can I just say that I am rooting for all of you right now. It is not easy and in this culture it is certainly harder as alcohol Consumption is totally normalised. I find myself saying no to dinners, parties and xmas parties because of how pissed (and boring) everyone gets. It is a misconception that sober life is boring when in fact there’snothing more boring than a drunk.
You can do it. Life is full of surprises.

Good morning and happy Saturday! I'm knackered as usual despite falling asleep on the sofa by 10, turns out you don't have to be a bottle and a half down to do that!

I love that this thread has morphed into a reading /gardening group alongside the sobriety support.

I'm also finding the sweet moments sweeter, and the stresses easier to handle. I can't remember who commented on this upthread and can't go back through pages without losing what I've written so far.

@Babablackship thanks for popping on with encouragement. I love hearing from people who have managed to quit and stayed quit.

Morning everyone & happy saturday!

Woke up at 9 after a full undisturbed sleep (one of my favorite benefits so far) making some soft boiled eggs on toast for me & kids.

Today's plan is to do some washing, cleaning &, reading then we are ordering an indian takeaway tonight & few cans of coke

I've just finished reading 'eleanor oliphant is completely fine' and I highly recommend it, amazing book and the main character Eleanor also suffers from alcohol abuse.

We have a hike planned for tomorrow weather permitting

Here we go, it was trees

I feel different, like I am rediscovering myself and the things I enjoy. Does anyone else feel the same? I feel more present, calmer. I am reading more, genuinely enjoying the company of my lovely DCs, seeing beauty and joy in things. Feels awesome

I'm getting this a lot! Exactly what I was hoping for and far outweighs the headaches and other minor inconveniences.

Well done everyone!!
I’m feeling different too @drybird2020 I’m still waiting for my glowy skin but I’m definitely feeling more chilled and less stressed.

This sounds awful but last night I read one of my sons a bedtime story-nothing strange there except before I was never in the moment as I would be feeling irritable and trying to rush through the story to get back downstairs to my ‘precious’ glass of wine

I’ve started back reading which I used to love to do; so I’ve decided at the end of January with the money I’ve saved I’m going to treat myself to a kindle

@Drybird2020 That's so great to read! I still feel like that every day. I lost the simple joy of life. I lost who I was. Now I'm happy, confident, joy filled. Life - every day life - is good. I do things that interest and please me. I find joy and fun I'm so much because I am present and living - not numbly surviving. 🙏

Oh I have gone the other way today. Feeling pretty rubbish at work in a new job, then had the "have a nice drink to relax" thought. Instead had many cups of tea and possibly with hormonal cycle am feeling tense. Bugger.

Good to read others feeling better.

Oh no, testing, I hope you are ok and the feeling pases.

Kathy2020 - I would do the same (and even have a glass of wine next to me whilst reading). Also, the next night, no idea what I'd read!

Great post, Babablacksheep, that's fantastic to hear. Well done!

We've had a quietish morning - I can currently hear DS pogo'ing up and down the drive whilst DP clears the garage. Lunch soon then I'm taking DS swimming, which I'm looking forward to.

Despite the joy, I now have spots! Anyone else? Detoxing or something else? Feel like a teen again

Sorry that wink made it seem like an innuendo. Wasn’t. Literally mean like a teen because of the spots. And exhaustion

@testing987654321 hope your day gets better! I’ve never in my life drank so much tea!
@TreesSandSea me; my skin has broken out so badly in sore spots

@testing987654321 hormones are a big trigger for me with drinking, I feel awful before my period and my default would be to reach for the wine. I know I'm going to need to be aware of that this month. I'm taking Agnus Castus in the second half of my cycle to help with Pms symptoms and I take evening primrose oil daily (or when I remember) trees maybe this would help the spots?