Staying Stopped - Alcohol Free, permanently.

[Drybird2020]

This thread is a kind and supportive environment for anyone committing to an alcohol free life.

From Day 1 onwards, you are welcome here for support, encouragement, tips and chat. There are many of us, at different points on the journey some have been sober for years, months, or weeks, others are just starting out, but all are
committed to an alcohol free life and the freedoms it brings...

Freedom from the tyranny of booze and the effort of figuring out how much to drink, and how and when to procure and drink it.

Freedom from guilt, self loathing, and 3am wake ups, and the fear of what might have been said and done the night before.

Freedom from the pervasive sense of dread and shame.

Freedom to embrace life with energy, and to face challenges with an uncluttered head, a lighter heart, and a lighter recycling bin.

If you've not yet decided whether total abstinence is for you, do feel free to hang out and ask questions but please be aware that discussion of drinking can be triggering, especially for those in the early stages of sobriety.

If you are still drinking, or planning on moderating (and this includes occasional or once in a blue moon drinking) have a look at the moderation threads, which might be a better fit for you.

I check in here every day as part of my recovery. It has kept me accountable, and the wonderful posters who contribute have helped me more than they could possibly know. This is day 137, and I'll be here for a long time!

@Drybird2020 wow that is amazing!!!

Are you doing anything to celebrate?!

I was with you at the start @Drybird2020 bloody well done woman!!

Good on you DryBird. That’s a fabulous achievement. I’ve made it myself through the 30 days of June and feel quite determined to continue.

Have a great day everyone.

Bloody well done, @Drybird2020. And you have inspired and supported so many others on your way. I love that it was you who started the first thread and you’re still going strong 👍🏽💜

Thanks, all. 😁 It's the end of term today too, so extra celebrations 🎉 might bake a 🍰and have cucumber sandwiches and earl grey tea.
@SparklingLime it's largely the thread that kept me going!

@Drybird2020 I think it’s accurate to say that YOU keep the thread going (though I’m glad the thread also keeps you going), you are an inspiration to many! Enjoy the high tea!

Oh well done @Drybird2020! That’s amazing (and inspiring!) - enjoy your well deserved afternoon tea

Nearly forgot 6 months for me too drybird 👏🏻

Well done and thank you so much for starting this thread it's been wonderful. Can you share 5 significant things that have changed for you in the past 6 months

Mine are:

1. I love doing bed time with the kids, not breathing booze breath on them and rushing it to get away for another drink.
2. I am sleeping a lot better. I've taken my make up off every day, have a lovely nighttime routine and my skin looks lots better.
3. I have lost 1 stone and 4 pounds. My clothes fit better.
4. I feel I am more caring and less self centred. Seems a bit weird to say but alcohol was my no one priority and now I prioritise other people
5. Being able to drive to the shop at night. Seems trivial but feels very freeing.

Well done everyone you can all do it x

Congratulations @Drybird2020!

Congratulations @Drybird2020 and thank you so much for being an inspiration on this thread. You come across as a very wise woman and very much deserve your time off, your cake and your earl grey (also my evening drink of choice these days).

I have also reached the 6 month mark and my significant changes are:

Confronting issues and dealing with them knowing that I've been sober and had a clear head to do so
Lost weight - about a stone
Skin much better and I rarely wear make up. I used to have big bags under my eyes from poor sleep
More money - less trips to the supermarket and spending on other things to justify the bottle of wine
Yes to the driving at night
I'm more present with my family
Less guilt

I'm sure there's loads more as well :-)

There's been no downs sides at all but I'm still faithful to this thread so I don't slip up with complacency

That’s excellent @aprilfoolsbaby and @ulysses - so so good to hear all those benefits too.

Day 33 here - I’m thinking of it as a third of the way to 100

Congratulations ulysses. All of your resonates with me too.

Cyllie33 every day is to be celebrated. Well done!

My goodness what celebrations are deserved!!!!!!

I am delighted to be on this thread with all of you Sober Warriors, and thrilled at the 6 month milestones for april ulysses and DryBird. Congratulations!!!!!

Amazing achievements, @aprilfoolsbaby and @Ulysses 🎉🎉

and I agree- every day is to be celebrated. :)

stoptheride how are you doing today?

to everyone. This thread is such a nice part of my day.

Aaw thanks guys. Yes, it's lovely checking in here. I am feeling at peace tonight. 6 months sober, harmony restored at home, and one of the guys in the team has been offered the job I'm covering. I'm really happy for him as he wants it and it'll be a substantial pay rise for him. I've been there for ages so it wouldn't have been much more than I am currently earning and not worth the hassle. Hopefully I can hand over straight away and dispense of the burdens that went along with it.

Currently celebrating with a cup of herbal tea and heading to bed for a early night.

@Juann00 how are things with you? I know that it can be a struggle in the early days so hope it's going well.

@Ulysses and @Drybird2020 congratulations to you both, 6 months is amazing!

Well done Ulysses & April too on the 6 months milestone. That’s amazing! It’s lovely to hear how positive sobriety can be. I’m just behind you Cyllie- 1/3 of the way to the first 100days. One at a time......

Congrats @Ulysses and @aprilfoolsbaby!
I love seeing the lists of things that have changed as well, so inspiring!

That's great, @Ulysses and @aprilfoolsbaby, how wonderful that we are hitting the 6 month milestone together.

I agree with everything on your lists.

Funnily enough I've lost a similar amount of weight - a stone and a half. The first stone was obviously all wine and it fell off easily. The next bit I had to work for. I'm certainly more patient with the kids, and more present in general. And I no longer feel shame and dread when I go to the local shop.

Hurrah! So much to celebrate! Checking in on day 33 from remote campsite. Surfed (read: fell in a lot) for three hours today, crackered! Me and DP now have portable mini bar in the van fridge containing Carton 0% Beer, Diet Ginger Beer and my sparkling lime water - perfect for the beach.

Wow @Hangingover I’m so jealous of all your surfing! Sounds really amazing, as does the minibar😂

I’ve also lost about a stone and a half😱 I have issues with food though which have become much worse since I stopped drinking (restricting what I eat) and I’m trying not to loose anymore😬

Hi all.

feeling very triggered today. Have the day off as I need to start using up annual leave. But I have not done anythng valuabl,e.....,just housework and flopped really. Now feeling that I have wasted it and feeling low. Maybe I will iron while watching trash tv. At leats I will be productive!

@GreenMintTeaMug that sounds like a great plan for keeping your hands busy this evening. Don't give yourself a hard time for doing not much today, sometimes that's just what is needed. Anyway... Housework IS being productive.

@GreenMintTeaMug there is absolutely nothing wrong with using annual leave in that way! Enjoy! And it is so much more relaxing without booze, you will actually feel reshreshed tomorrow!