"YES it is SO worth it, YES it gets easier and YES we thought it was impossible as well - its not 😊" A thread for those embracing an alcohol free existence.

[Drybird2020]

Thanks to @Ravenswick for the quote in the title 😊. We are back for thread 5, and if you are just joining us, or thinking about it, you might want to have a read through its predecessors, which are full of useful tips, sound advice, stories and cautionary tales. You will absolutely, definitely find much that resonates, and talking regularly on here is a great way to stay sane and keep yourself accountable.

Thread 1
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3781133-Anyone-else-stopping-completely-in-2020

Thread 2
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3810419-Still-stopped-in-2020-a-thread-for-anyone-abstaining-from-alcohol

Thread 3 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3910349-Staying-Stopped-Alcohol-Free-permanently

Thread 4
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3965594-Forever-Free-a-life-without-booze-2020-onwards

The only "rules" are that you are committing to an alcohol free life, and that you have stopped drinking before you begin to post.

If you've been here for a while, you know what to do. Keep doing it! 😊

well done ulysses and haggisfish

I love the list. I will add....

Taking a day off guilt free. I watched a film during the day today. All by myself! I can't remember the last time I had time to myself. After years of home schooling my son has started school. And dh who runs the business from home was tucked away up the attic training all day. And I refused to open my computer and work. So I took the day off!!

Good on you Breathmiller. I still have some annual leave to take and am definitely tempted by a duvet-movie-tea and toast day on my own soon. It’s soo dark and miserable already. I actually burst into tears at the end of this years final Gardeners World this weekend, not even my garden can save me now!!! I hate winter. It is great getting up with a clear head in the mornings though . Have a nice day everyone and congratulations to all hitting new milestones. Well done!

Just found this thread. I stopped drinking on March 12th 2016 - so today is more than 4 1/2 years sober. It goes on getting better and the relief from the stress of drinking / not drinking / limiting drinks is so very freeing.
Good luck to you all :-)

Wow, inspiring post @lilybetsy!!! Congrats on those years!!!

I’m having a real fuckfest of a day at the moment as my children have symptoms so self isolating whilst waiting for test results. It’s literally impossible trying to do my work at the same time, I feel so claustrophobic and the house is a mess!!!

How does anyone else cope with this I don’t know!!!

Not tempted to drink but feeling really shit and low. Ugh. Bring on a negative test result!!!

@Hangingover how is the U.K. treating you?

Hey @bunniesbunniesbunnies that's not great. Fingers crossed you get a negative result soon. Any chance you can take time off work? Am also having another shitty day. Was supposed to meet friend for walk and coffee but she bailed out. I was really upset for a bit. I haven't had adult company for 3 weeks other than DH and he is mired down in work. DF has apologised and has her own issues which I am sympathetic to, but all the same.

I'm in my Jammies at 4pm. I wish I could sleep away the next week. Car is due it's MOT which I have had to rearrange three times so I can't drive anywhere till Friday so can't go anywhere.

Still no drinking so chin up!

Hugs @Ulysses and @BunniesBunniesBunnies, sorry it's tough.
Good for you @Breathmiller, we had a tv and laxe day yesterday too, well needed.
Thank you @lilybetsy, that's really inspiring!

Must be the day for shitty days. Crappy day at work involving complaints and poor management. But now I have annual leave so I'm going to go for a run and shake it off. Hope your days get better Bunnies and Ulysses (and fingers crossed for negative tests very soon).

A guilt free day off sounds lovely, @Breathmiller. I'm definitely scheduling one of those in! A few hours in front of the TV eating buttery toast and having puppy snuggles. Perfect.

Thanks for posting @lilybetsy. I'm always keen to hear from long term non drinkers as I have a niggly thought in the back of my head that the novelty of not drinking might wear off one day. It's good to read you've found sobriety just gets better and better.

Crap day here too lads, sympathy all round

Talk about coming back to earth with a bump! Dominoes in bed I think.

Oh no sorry to hear about more crap days! Dominoes in bed sounds perfect @Hangingover☺️

Dominoes in bed sounds a match made in heaven @hangingover. I’m feeling a bit better watching GBBO with rhubarb crumble and custard. Small pleasure and all that.

Dominoes in bed sounds a match made in heaven @hangingover. I’m feeling a bit better watching GBBO with rhubarb crumble and custard. Small pleasure and all that.

Sorry everyone is having such rubbish days. Better here today as the sun is shining and its absolutely glorious after what feels like a week and a half of rain and gales...
Focus on the positives, and hoping for negative results for your kids @BunniesBunniesBunnies...and something sensible in the US - too much to hope for? Fingers crossed...

My son has tested positive, he is not too ill but this means we all have to continue to isolate. I’ve cried a lot!

Oh Bunnies, I can imagine how anxious you're feeling. I hope your son gets better soon and isolation passes quickly. Have you got support locally who can bring you supplies if needed?

Day one of AL and I'm currently in the bath after a run. 199 days sober and 80 days smoke free. Who even am I? Now seriously considering Dominoes in bed. It's all about balance!

Sorry to hear everyone is having difficult times.

bunnies what a worry, and having to SI for the time. Sending you much strength for you and feel better wishes for your son.

Well done teetotally 199 days AF and 80 days smoke free is absolutely amazing.

I had a great day yesterday for many reasons. I didn't like to say in case it feels insensitive to those struggling but I then realised that a few weeks ago everything was feeling challenging here with my son. And it changes. It always does. So stick in there everyone, it will change again, sooner rather than later I hope.

I had the weirdest dream last night that i was given chicken to eat (im vegan) and two stubby beers. And in my dream I knew I would have to come on here and admit it. So, thanks for keeping me in track even in my dreams.

Sorry @BunniesBunniesBunnies, sending a huge hug and healing wishes to your son. Hope the rest of you dodges it and sorry you are stuck isolating.

Love that @Breathmiller! This group is fab.

Hope the dominos helped @Hangingover.

Poor you Bunnies ! I'm glad he's not too ill though. My 93 year old Nana has it also.

I had the weirdest dream last night that i was given chicken to eat (im vegan) and two stubby beers. And in my dream I knew I would have to come on here and admit it

Omg I have these dreams! Usually about wine and cheese. In fact the last night I drank before giving up I was so pissed a grabbed a handful of grated cheese from the fridge and ate it and I was so fucking angry (no disrespect to omnis) because I never ever want meat or dairy again and I just knew booze was making be do things I don't agree with.

Happy 200 for tomorrow imperfect ! Bloody amazing!

Big hug to everyone on the thread today. I'm only 4 days into quarentine and I'm going nuts. Can't believe lockdown is coming straight after!

Gah - that's too bad @BunniesBunniesBunnies. Forgot you would be isolating too @Hangingover. Hope you have got some help to get stuff to make it all a bit more tolerable.

It's really nice to hear from you @Breathmiller and give us your reassurances. I remember when you were going through the ringer with your son and it's so your time to have an easier ride of it. Embrace it. Honestly, it's not insensitive to me and you deserve good fortune.

Today was a big day that's gotten out of the way, my work, DHs work and I'm trying to avoid the media for my mental health (election and covid). It's funny to me that I've started looking forward to unwinding for the night with Fever Tree Ginger Beer. There's absolutely no alcohol but it feels like my demarcation line to start dissipating my stress levels for the evening. It's funny what little habits you start developing.

Oh and congrats @Teetotallyimperfect - awesome stuff. Did you go for a Dominoes?

So glad you had a great day @Breathmiller👍👍👍

Guys we're all heros for not drinking through this bloody ridiculous year! I can't watch the election coverage any more I'm too tense!

Right, I’m back with you ladies. Lockdown is a great opportunity to start again. I did it before, I can do it again, right? I’ve gone totally off piste (haha 😬) just lately. Utterly predictable of course once I started having the odd one. I just lost motivation to stay AF. Tell me to behave?!

Sorry, that last request sounds wanky and lacking in taking responsibility for myself. But you know what I mean... 🤷🏻‍♀️