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.

Welcome @rosieposies. This is a lovely non-judgmental and supportive thread. Congratulations on day 1.

Sorry - day 3!

Ah day 3! Think the key and it has been for me, is to occupy yourself. Drinking can be like a hobby it is something we like to do and it takes up time.
Get your soft drinks or herbal teas in and get busy - reading/box sets/running/swimming/long baths/jigsaws/yoga ... whatever but keep busy. Sugar cravings happen too so maybe buy some sweet things so you can munch instead of slurp!

Take care of yourself, you have had a stressful time this week .

Just to echo what others have said - huge hugs and nods of familiarity with what people are saying. It seems that kicking the booze has made us all confront things we really don't want to. I know I am.

Keep posting and keep hand holding, we (and our vaginas, assuming we call have vaginas!) can get through all of this together.

Welcome rosieposies.

@rosieposies hello fellow Brightonian we do live in such a cool place with amazing bars and temptations everywhere. Plus job as a teacher seems we reward ourselves with drinks, big time, on a Friday....can I ask did you grow up in Brighton?

It's taken a month but God almighty I want a drink - massive row with 9 year old about xbox and his expectations of how long he can play for.

Just felt like saying, fine, whatever, I'll sit in the kitchen and drink.

I didn't, and I won't, but right now I'm missing the Friday numbness.

It is late here so off to bed. Finished up some vegetarian burgers for tomorrow’s party/BBQ. Lots more cooking tomorrow.

Sending lots of strength to you all for Friday evening.

@HouseTornado I've got one of those, he's also being a git today. Sympathies. Can you have a hefty snack? I find it really takes the edge off wanting a drink.

@rosieposies, welcome. This thread is my safe space at the moment, I hope it will be that for you too.

@vagmons good luck with the party! As its your own you might be too busy to miss having a drink. Good luck! 😊

I just caught myself wondering if it's too early for a Becks Blue.

@HouseTornado
Me too! Worst Friday night feeling of dying for a cold glass of Chablis. Instead going home to cook and be around grumpy teenagers.
Come on - we’ll be very glad by 10pm and probably a lot earlie that we didn’t drink ... fast forward to sober bedtime.

Ha Drybird2020 I have just had one! This is when I would normally start on a Friday- and have had a hard day of work so I was ready for a drink at 5 😬 Think is is of if it’s AF beer though, right?

I’m also dieting quite seriously this week so this evening is a bit hard. I want snacks.

Run a bath and pour a nice glass of something AF @ HouseTornado Remember what brought you here! You can do this. Friday after work and Saturday nights are killers indeed but we can all do it if we try. I’m out tonight at a social event. I reckon I will be fine chatting away but not sure what’s going to happen later at the disco. I don’t think I’ve danced sober since about 1992!! Wish me luck.

Toasting you all with my Heineken 0% - chin chin! Dry Friday for the win 😀

@halfthesun I am born and bred Brighton yes! Well technically hove really. A good friend of mine is a teacher - we used to live together and Friday night was always messy!its a bloody hard job!

Thankyou for the welcome.

I'm not finding myself craving a drink too much tonight as am a bit under the weather. Tomorrow me and DP have a spa day bought for us by MIL, we usually go all out and have Prosecco whilst there but will be sticking to tea and cake 🍰

Thanks everyone, I needed to hear all of that!

Running a bath now, then bed and a green tea.

Flipping heck, just posted and it failed. Long story short, want a drink but won't have one.

I also have a 9yo boy @Drybird2020 @HouseTornado and sometimes he is far harder than a teen to deal with. The arguments! I console myself by thinking he will one day be a barrister on a million quid a year.

I am eating my way through Friday night. Pasta with bacon and tomatoes for supper, followed by M&S chocolate fudge pudding and a scoop of Kelly's Salted Caramel ice cream (it is AMAZING if anyone cares).

Just had a bath and want to go to bed and read but the DC want to watch a film together downstairs. A couple of months ago I'd have loved that, with a glass in my hand, but now I'm selfishly wanting to take myself to bed with my new Kindle so temptation is out of reach. In ways like that, I think I'm a better parent when I drink.

Good luck tomorrow @vagmons - we had a lunch party a fortnight after I went AF and the people who came are HARDCORE. They ended up staying til about 9pm (they came for lunch) and were so pissed, dancing in our kitchen, you name it. But I sipped my elderflower from a wine glass and was so busy cooking, clearing etc it was MUCH easier than I expected.

A kind person on this thread said 'it's a very powerful feeling when you're not drinking and everyone else is' and I found out exactly what she meant that day. Try it - you'll be surprised!

In bed and looking forward to a clear-headed morning.

Sleep tight everyone

Hope everyone made it through Friday night? I've woken up feeling groggy but pleased I didn't drink! Managed to have a mini row with DP about DS before bed so maybe that's the reason.

Anyway, thank you for all the support and solidarity (and the food details, yum!). Today will be better!

What is everyone up to today?

@HouseTornado morning! I wake up naturally now at between 5.45 and 6am, even on Sundays. My 4 year old sleeps in bed next to me so trying to be quiet for him.

Morning Teaches, me too. Though I have clearly passed my early bird genes onto my son...5.17am this morning I heard him get up!

Morning, another early bird here! I have to say waking up without a hangover is very lovely. I've not much on today, DS goes to football then to his dads. I've got some work to do and yoga. What is everyone else doing?

Everyone will arrive for the BBQ soon. About 20 adults and 20 kids. I am exhausted from the prep but I love it. This would usually last until late with a lot of drinking and dancing. But I am feeling good. No plans to drink but I might dance :) Have a wonderful clear headed Saturday all!

Morning, early birds! I had a much better sleep last night, feeling much brighter this morning. Day 24 dawns.

Going to an exercise class this morning, then errands to run. Nothing earth shattering, but had such a busy week that aimless pottering will be bliss.

vagmoms you are awesome, all that prep and hosting and not drinking! Have fun!

No idea what we're up to...maybe a museum, skate park, bit of lunch...we're having some building work in Feb so need to start packing up the living room/kitchen...

Good morning all, I was suffering from the mehs yesterday at work and really wanted to pour a big glass of something when I got home but I beat the craving away with carbs and fat and had a very early night so here I am up fresh and early and thinking about what to do today