"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! 😊

Does he do the jog too Bunnies ?

He does @Hangingover🤬

I have to say i laughed alot at the description of 'the jog'. :)

I can't believe Monday is six months! Feel almost like getting myself a present!

@Hangingover it’s absolutely obligatory to get yourself a present! I have done for all the major milestones and it’s really helped me! It doesn’t have to be big or expensive, but it’s nice to treat/reward yourself☺️

Day 21. Not having a good weekend. This has definitely been the hardest so far. I think it’s all the Xmas paraphernalia and adverts etc that’s doing it. I feel anxious and on edge. Like I can’t breathe but I know something that will take it away in an instant. I knew the bad times would come and it wouldn’t be plain sailing, I just need to get through each day. We’re going to go for a walk and put a dado up in the hallway so I can paint next week. I need to burn off this anxiety

@Hangingover Without doubt you need to treat yourself 🌟 Amazing!

@Needsomethingtoread Well done on sitting with the feeling, and taking other measures to get rid of the anxiety, rather than just numbing away. A good example of 'picking the problem you want to have'. It's always the better option.

Definitely harder this time of year. One of my little mental tricks when I see a sparkly advert on the tv of a gorgeous woman in a party dress sipping a Xmas drink (and this is a bit gross)... is to imagine her downing it, throwing up, going to bed in her clothes with make up smeared, arguing with her husband, ignoring her kids etc etc.

It's clever advertising - alcohol brings nothing to our Christmas🎄. Well done for not giving in.

Thanks @witchwoo. I’ll definitely try that. That would actually be me if I had some wine so I’m sure it would help. I’ve a stinking headache so I’ve taken some Ibruprophen and a cuppa and I’m going to have a bubble bath. It’s my happy place right now, have two a day sometimes

I actually bought myself a beautiful red dress and some pretty earrings for Xmas day. I wouldn’t ever treat myself normally as I would stay in pjs drinking all day. But I plan on getting glam this year

@Needsomethingtoread

I actually bought myself a beautiful red dress and some pretty earrings for Xmas day. I wouldn’t ever treat myself normally as I would stay in pjs drinking all day. But I plan on getting glam this year

What a fabulous idea!

Hi all.

That is a great idea needsomethingtoread. I am sure you have a little voice in your head now whispering to you about how you would be fine to have a drink to feel a bit better but tell it to piss off.

I haven't paged back here as I am short on time but I wanted to share the two podcasts I listened to, one last night with a glass of cold coke and a few candles lit all by myself chilling when everyone went to bed... felt very inspired.

drchatterjee.com/is-it-time-for-a-tactical-break-from-alcohol-with-andy-ramage/

and listening to this right now and it's great

www.oneyearnobeer.com/small-changes-big-impacts-bj-fogg-oynb-093/

I think it is good to have these on standby for wobbles.

I have to say I am looking forward to an alcohol free Christmas. I'd rarely overdo it at Christmas in the sense of hangovers as all the kids are home and that's a fresh hell I experienced once that I can't be having....so there is a tiny voice in my head saying why deprive yourself of the odd drink. But I also have a voice saying you have so much to gain in time, freshness and vitality by keeping it soft. One memory that comes to mind is Christmas party in 2018 with work was my first in 3 years after my last baby and I really overdid it, no one at the party would have noticed as it was so loud and busy but I nearly vomited on the bus home the whole journey was focussed on not being sick and I was sick then in a bin when I got off in the empty street of the quiet town I live in, felt pure shame in that moment and my husband pulled up to collect me. I could barely get out of bed the next day. I didn't drink for three months after it! DH just laughed as it's not like it's something I do much but I felt so bad. I've a memory of my alcoholic father puking after nights out so puking from drinking is a massive trigger for me on the shame front.

Oh it's great to be rid of it!!

@Cartooner I also look forward to a year with the next day shame of drunken office parties! Last year I was so hammered, I cycled home when I really shouldn’t have done😬😬😬

On a positive note I’ve run more than 100km this month! Yay new me!

Blimey Bunnies you'll be chasing Mo Farah down soon, well done!

Went back to doom beach today at LOW tide and had an absolute whale of a time. Completely crackered. Waiting for my bread to proof and eating tiny vegan Christmas cakes from Morrisons. I still hate going in there atm. You can just avoid the booze aisle because the alcohol follows you around the goddam shop! It's by the door, by the checkout and at the end of every sodding aisle!

#reclaimthewineglass

Ooh that looks lovely, enjoy!

@cartooner Thanks very much for the podcast recommendations I've been at work today, but I came home at 5-ish and managed to listen to half of the 1st so far as I was making the evening meal. Love it!

I really like what he says about stopping alcohol having a knock on effect in so many areas of your life (a bit like the 100km, @BunniesBunniesBunnies ! Wow!). He wants people to know that the stopping alcohol bit is just the start - the domino effect afterwards is outstanding.

@Hangingover the drink looks very inviting. I fancied a faux alcoholic drink with my Chinese last night and picked up a Nosecco from Asda. Bloody awful! Far too sweet for a 'Prosecco'

@Hangingover your descriptions of the coast and jogging surfers a making me miss the South West! I was regarding the choppy grey water of the North Sea this weekend and thinking that nothing would induce me to get in it.

@Needsomethingtoread the weekend has passed, you did it. Its so true that quitting is just the start, the benefits start to come a little bit afterwards. But there's no denying that the first part is tough and requires some serious soul searching and brutal honesty with oneself. Whoever mentioned supplements upthread is absolutely correct, I wish I'd taken some sooner. Get a good B complex down your neck if you haven't already, it helped me no end. Also a reminder to everyone to take your vit D for winter and covid combined.

@cartooner I'm really enjoying your posts and all the podcast recommendations, thanks 😘

@BunniesBunniesBunnies 100k!!!! In a month!! Bloody hell. I had an extraordinary experience at the weekend, had my first run in seriously cold, sub zero temperatures and it had the energising effect of a cold water swim. I was so full of beans it wasn't true. Very annoying for DH I suspect.

Oh I’m so glad for your lovely run @Drybird2020! Winter running is the best!

RaceAtYourPace has a lovely December medal (£10) I might sign up for to keep myself motivated!

It actually feels like Christmas day only better.

SIX MONTHS
I cannot bloody believe it

Fuck YES @Hangingover!!!
Massive congrats you total legend.

Well done! Massive congrats.

@Hangingover
Wonderful! I can imagine how free you must feel. The 1st 6 months of the year compared to the last 6 months - what a transformation in your way of living.

2020 will be a memorable one for many reasons. For many of us.

Did you decide what treat you were buying for yourself? 🌟

DPs lodger who is a dote brought home 0% fizz and VEGAN CHEESECAKE!!!

Aw that's brilliant @hangingover, so pleased for you. That's such an achievement and it's great that you've got our own cheerleaders there. I hope life is looking brighter for you. Enjoy :-)