Going for 100 days AF

[Avienna]

Been drinking far far too much since the start of lockdown (and before really). Have put on weight, spent a fortune and embarrassed by our glass recycling
If anyone would like to join me it would be great to have some company.

Hi Avienna. I am aiming for an alcohol-free life, but will defintiely join you on 100 days to keep you company!

I had a slip a week or so back... i will just count up how many days I am back on it... need to find my diary.....

okay I am on 11 days. :) I have had bursts of extended sobriety before and was doing really well before I hit the fuckit button 12 days ago, It was SO not worth it.

What day are you Avienna? What are your triggers?

Hi @GreenAfternoonTeaMug. 11 days is great, I've not managed that long since the beginning of December. How long had you managed before? I've also had some sober stretches, I've had quite a few false starts this time though....I definitely need to do it though. I'm not sure about long term.
I'm on day 2 so early days. I've cracked before after a difficult day with my toddler or just boredom.... What caused you to hit the fuckit button?

Hello!

The best I did was last year and I did 118 days. Then it took me 6 months to get a day 1 again. I'd ne a good 15 months now if I had kept going.

Last time I slipped- well, i got a bit tired and a little bit complacent. Thinking I could do it, and clearly did not have a problem, and could handle it and I deserved just one because of a bad day. It really was not worth it.

I have known i have had drinking problems for 15 years plus. And trying to do something about it for more than 10 years. I really have to address it now. I have family members who have died due to alcohol in the past few years. And it makes me so unhappy.

Boredom is a major trigger for me as well.

How have you done today? How are you feeling?

I'm doing ok thanks, pretty tired and eating everything in sight. Had a major wobble earlier, think if I'd had wine in the fridge I would have cracked but luckily it passed and despite feeling a bit flat and twitchy this evening I've been ok. This is only the second time since lockdown started I've managed 3 days.

I've been reading the 30 day alcohol experiment which I'm finding helpful and have read quite a bit of quit lit in the past.
I was a typical party girl when I was younger and my social life revolved around alcohol then I've never really grown out of it. I've thought the same after AF stints, have a few 100 day stints over the last few years but then the amounts I drank would creep up. Even after over a year off during pregnancy.

I'm concentrating on feeling better at the moment and then hoping to fit in some exercise next week.

I'm sorry to hear about your family members, that's so sad. It sounds like you're really motivated to stay AF.

Hey! Can I join you ? X

Hi @Wishiwasmycat, of course! I wish I was my cat too, she is so pampered!

Day 4 here and so pleased I didn't give in yesterday. I know I would have ended up knocking back a bottle plus and then feeling awful today, physically and mentally. I was telling myself it's too hard to try at the moment and I should wait until the beginning of July but I know i would keep putting it off. I waste so much time thinking about whether to drink, what to drink, how much, then feeling guilty.
The weekend is going to be a challenge but have plenty of nice AF drinks in.

Morning.

I recommend having loads of really luxurious AF drinks. I am heavy on the heinikin AF beer right now but usually I like having very posh cordials and tonic water. Belvoir ginger is my current favourite.

Also have a plan for witching hour. Last year I used to pack my DCs up around witching hour and drive them somewhere- to get an icecream, or goto the beach, or to a park some distsance away for a picnic. Got through it because I could not drink and drive.

I really have to stay AF I think. I have anxiety and depression and alcohol really harms me mentally.

Also... I am worried about missing out on the good times with the DCs. My mum suffered from depression and a small amount of alcohol makes her angry and nasty. I don't get nasty,. but it makes me very very low and I have seen my Dcs be wary around me because I am sad and a little unpredictable. I don't want them to feel like that and to feel like how I did about my mother. And do- we still have a tricky relaitonship.

Alcohol really does us no favours at all.

Hope you both have a great Friday and a great weekend. :)

Sorry Avuenna that sounds like I was telling you how to stay AF. You have more experience than me with a number of 100 plus days and a year!

what plans for the weekend? I am hoping desperately the heat lasts because I am back in the office now and in a corner away from a window so i feel like i have missed out on the nice days!

I have a very elderly dog and I like walking her in the early mornings so that will feature.

Not at all, I'll take all the advice I can get. Definitely with you on the nice AF drinks. I discovered Bavaria AF wheatbeer this weekend, it's so good I had to check the bottle to make sure it was definitely AF. And I tried a san pellegrino bitters drink which is lovely with tonic.
I'm on day 10 and still feeling tired, think I've got a big deficit from all the late nights and ruined sleep. I felt like its getting easier though and feel relieved to be out of the vicious cycle of drinking, feeling guilty etc.
Normally knowing I'll have to drive the next morning keeps me on the straight and narrow during the week. We've been shielding though so only started going out recently for some walks. Luckily we have a decent garden so we've been spending lots of time out there.
I hear you re the depression and anxiety, I actually started ADs and felt loads better but then started having the odd drink which then increased basically cancelling out the ADs. And I know I'm more patient with dd when I'm not drinking, put more effort into activities etc. I think DH is pleased too as I definitely want pulling my weight before!
I like the idea of an evening walk, I think I'm going to start doing that some nights.

Hi all! 10 days is great! You’re a tenth of the way there. I’m on day 3. Been going out on my bike / run every night instead of having a drink.
OH isn’t stopping drinking which will make it harder. I’ve done dry Jan and even dry Jan and Feb but I have no off switch when I go back to it.