"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! 😊

Lol re seagulls @Hangingover! They recognised an animal lover???!!!

It would be just my luck to survive the brush with shark and get pecked to death by a flock of bloody seagulls.

Lads I'm going to annoying you EVEN MORE than usual in a few days time, if you can imagine such a thing.

DP is going north with some friends to a place o refuse to visit again because its basically the desert with waves as high as skyscrapers and sod all else so I'll be all on my own for the first time in 8 months, for a whole week, and a bottle shop a two minute cycle away. I'm nervous!

Welcome @Hiccupiscal and @hazelnutmochi, join our happy little band, and waves to @jess3817, great to see you again.

@Hangingover, let us know when you are all on your own and we will have a party on here - I'll bring the vegan snacks and everyone can turn up with whatever their fave AF drink of the moment is. We can have Flock of Seagulls on the sound system just for you, or the Jaws theme, if you prefer...

Oops, also waving to @SparklingLime, you were on the next page - hope you feel better soon...!

Hello all, can I come back to this thread? It was brilliant, but six weeks ago I drank again and spiralled. I feel horrendous. It’s proven to me how right I was to stop in the first place. It’s not possible for me just to have one drink. I feel so full of shame.

Cyllie33 THERE you are!

< bear hug >

Please don't feel ashamed. It's massively addictive. Just hop back on board and tell us more about it.

@Cyllie33 come right back here this minute - if anything this thread is more addictive so you are in the right place

Thank you @Hangingover you’ve turned my self pitying sobbing into gentle weeping. Go on, what day are you on now? I know you’ll have passed 100

For some reason I had a glass of wine with a friend (excusing it as it was a ‘celebration’ but not really thinking about it. I then decided it was okay to drink occasionally and so did but it crept up so quickly over just a couple of weeks and I was back into the very worst of my old habits. Drinking vast quantities alone at home and embarrassing myself and hurting those close to me. I’m just gobsmacked at how quickly it escalated - although also I’m not. That’s why I stopped in the first flipping place. Christ I’m angry with myself and feeling very depressed.

Let me be a cautionary tale. Don’t do it.

And do you know what, I didn’t even enjoy it. Not even the occasional one. Not drinking was so much better in every way.

I’m back.

I’m going to read back through everyone’s posts that I missed, and look forward to getting to know new people.

Thank you @Ravenswick

Checking in, thanks for the new thread, @Drybird2020.

Although I don't post much, I do try to keep up with all of you. Coming up to my one year soberversary later this month and still feeling strong.

Welcome back Cyllie33 i joined in your absence so a newbie to you. I also started in January and went back to drinking in February and it spiralled again in lockdown.

I'm glad to be back here and like ravenswick says this thread can be a much healthier addiction. I have also done an 18 month stint of the booze a few years ago and fell off then too. Nothing to be ashamed of. The thing is here you are, trying again and a little bit wiser each time. Fingers crossed this time its for good for us.

hanging PAAAARTY TIME!!
We'll get the tea and cake and vegan magnums in and have a swell ol' time. You won't be alone.

To the pp who is at the beginning (sorry ,i can't figure out how to go back a page on my phone while writing) - join in. I know I felt waaaay behind everyone when I started and my few days seemed to pale into insignificance compared to all the 50 days and weeks and months of other people. But genuinely.....every day is a celebration and a success. So day 1, day 5, day 100 or more and even day 1(second series) , all show how we are in it together. Just taking one day at a time. Your days will start adding up and it is a good feeling. Stick with us.

My last message to the 'pp' was to Hiccupiscal apologies for forgetting your name

Evening everyone. Great to have you back @Cyllie33! Don’t feel bad at all. Think what a massive gain in knowledge you have taken with your slip: you thought you might try moderating, now you have sound knowledge it’s not the best strategy for you and you can now move on from it. We are all here with you.
Hi @SparklingLime. I’m good thanks, trying to get my sobriety mojo back same as you!
@Hangingover. We are all rooting (is that the wrong rooting? Grammar!) for you. You have done so well. I might be speaking out of line here but I’d say you must stay strong and 100% sober to cope with your arrival back in the UK. Coz it’s all gone to hell over here 😭. Just get on here and post if you feel moments of weakness!
Congratulations @elsacragg a year is amazing! Is it at Halloween?

Hi @iamyourequal, how are you doing? My year is up not quite at Halloween, it's the week before.

I'm feeling a bit down today. Not worried about drinking, that seems to just be something that is easy and I don't have to worry about. But just other stuff causinf me to feel a bit overwhelmed.

Then i realised I hit 2 calender months yesterday and that cheered me right up. 2 months!! Yay!!! If i could think of someway to celebrate that isn't drink obviously, isn't necessarily food, doesn't cost too much or take up too much of my depleted energy then I would be celebrating . Any ideas gratefully received

Well done!!

How about buying yourself a lovely magazine, or a book? Going for a walk in this lovely weather... Having a long, hot bath. Curling up on the sofa and watching a fab film from start to finish.

All those work for me when I need some self-indulgence!

Thanks asterion
Normally a long bath would be my choice but we are still in the middle of a diy nigtmare of a bathroom so no bath yet.
I'm working this morning and then have the shopping to do but I think a walk afterwards then a movie might be a good idea.

As @Hangingover is in Australia I would like to make it crystal clear that I am not ‘rooting’ for her in that way, @iamyourequal 😉

sparklinglime

@Breathmiller thanks for the welcome and congrats on two months!...my go to treats are a decent bunch of flowers or properly turning off all devices to settle down to a movie on Netflix with no distractions

I’m building up to get back into my running again, it’s astounding how booze puts a spare tyre on (it’s not astounding at all). Didn’t make it this morning but did go for a walk and the autumnal sunshine here is GORGEOUS.

@SparklingLime

As *@Hangingover is in Australia I would like to make it crystal clear that I am not ‘rooting’ for her in that way, @iamyourequal* 😉

🤣

Congratulations, elsa, I remember you from previous threads!

I treated myself to an advent calendar this morning, breathmiller, as I needed a treat, too. Not sure if you’re into that- there’s a thread on S&B that will inspire you and/or wreak havoc on your bank account if you are...😀

cyllie33
YES - flowers. They always cheer me up. My birthday flowers need thrown out today so I will treat myself to a bunch of flowers.

sophocles i have skin issues so don't do the advent calenders but usually get one for my mum. She's in a nursing home this year so a good reminder that she might like one to cheer her up. Although I've probably missed them again as I don't usually think of Christmas til December has started which is no good for advert calenders.

advent calenders

Ooh, flowers, great idea!

And as they last a few days, each time you see them you will be reminded of your triumph!

Spoilsport @SparklingLime 😂

Today I ran five km, the seagulls came back again and I made vegan sticky toffee apple cake. I've had four pieces and may need to be winched out of this armchair. Going to see a mad Swiss about a telescope shortly.

Comforting to know I've not had a drop of alcohol but I still sound like a lunatic every time I post.