Leave alcohol behind and re-learn your life. The freedom thread.

[Drybird2020]

This is thread 6, the Anniversary Edition! Welcome to old hands and newbies! From Day 1 onwards, you’re all invited to share this safe, supportive and encouraging place.

If you've not yet decided whether total abstinence is for you, do feel free to 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.

It might help to have a read through the previous threads;

1 is here, www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/3781133-Anyone-else-stopping-completely-in-2020
and

and 5 here;

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/alcohol_support/4043965-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?msgid=101761283

You'll find links to the others in there somewhere.

The 31st December is my Soberversary. I'm 2 stone lighter, I've taken up running, I'm better off, more present and more patient with my children, and I've found the courage to address some difficult and traumatic parts of my life. And I couldn’t have reached this point without the threads to keep me accountable, and my lovely sober buddies to keep me sane.

Not sure if this thread is about to become full soon - not sure how to start a new one - have never done this. Off to work now - have a good day all X

Welcome WantingToStop and LongJohn and well done on your decision and progress so far! 40 days is great @Longjohn33
For any newbies I’d recommend the free online ‘Alcohol Experiment’ with Annie Grace. It last a month and is a real insight into the psyche of drinking alcohol.
@SeaStatePhenomenal the thread will fill up at 1000 messages so there’s another 47 or so to go.
I’ve put on a stone since stopping though. Eating blooming cake & chocolate. I really need to get a grip on that.

Welcome newbies! You won’t regret quitting, it remains one of the best things I’ve ever done for myself.

8 months! Congrats @Breathmiller!!!

I will be having my one year anniversary on Monday. I still can’t believe that. Not been on the thread much due to school hols but I do check in occasionally, I love reading about all your achievements.

Hello @wantingtostop and @Longjohn33! I'm a relative newbie too

Last night was the first time I seriously considered having 'just a glass' of wine. I didn't. Realised, one glass would do nothing for me and several would be bad for me. So the only option is not to have any! We ordered pizza instead . I haven't gained weight. If anything, I think I've lost a little, but I don't know, as I don't weigh myself. But, I have definitely been eating less healthily lately, with all the Easter celebrations. I can live with it, as, generally, I think I am making healthier choices due to no alcohol, (better sleep, more exercise, less junk food). Eventually it will add up, even if I'm not being with diet.

Well done on 8 months @Breathmiller! Also well done on one year anniversary @BunniesBunniesBunnies! How will you be celebrating?!

I'll start another thread soon, @SeaStatePhenomenal , I'm happy to keep them going, though might hand over to someone new at some point in the future.

Any ideas for a title, anyone? It's nice when we have a good quote from a poster, suggestions are welcome!

How about; "alcohol; we need to talk"?

Inspired by the quote I mentioned up thread, which was, "alcohol, we had a deal. You were meant to make me funnier, cooler and more attractive. I've seen the video. We need to talk".

@ItsActuallyWasabi well I’m prone to treating myself😂 But on that particular day I may just take my toddler for a swim (pools are open again!) which will be such a treat😊😊😊

For the thread title I don’t have suggestions, but I like it when it has a positive spin - I do like having the word free or freedom in there. I don’t mind though😊

I love this title, why mess with perfect include free. I like relearn etc and positive spin. I am here not because I was drinking a large amount but just because I was thinking about drinking more than I wanted and I like when the title is about gains and captures all types of drinking advanced/middlelane/light but not working etc.

In my early days here Fastfood posts really spoke to me as my temption lies in the fact I was not rock bottom or dealing with big problem, I just knew I'd gain lots from not drinking: freedom.

At 160 days I've had a few very strong thoughts of reintroducing the odd glass... but ultimately know I prefer zero so logged in today to find @FastFood posts

@ItsActuallyWasabi I like that quote too, although I think the thread title also needs to make it clear that this is an abstinence thread, in a positive way. I like the freedom theme too. This gets harder every time!

Great! I agree with @Cartooner. Just keep it the same in that case? It includes everything you want it to

The current thread title is lovely and we could keep it the same!

Me might also like to emphasise we welcome anyone old or new! I always like the mix of old hands and newbies and everyone in between.

How about something like

“Leave alcohol behind and embrace freedom - A thread for anyone (old or new) seeking freedom from alcohol”.

On reflection it’s a bit wordy and I might prefer the current title😊

I like the current title too & bunnies suggestion. I’ve absolutely nothing interesting to add.

Well done on your eight months breathmiller and your almost one year Bunnies Hope all good with you all, including the newbies- well done on choosing a healthier life!
Not been here for ages but just checking in as have passed the 9 month mark a few days ago. I'm not really counting anymore, but not being complacent either iyswim. Still enjoying feeling more present at home and with my children- that novelty doesn't seem to have worn off yet (Though it might have done for my teen )

Well done 100percentme

I had builders in today and wasn't feeling at all well due to a reaction to something I ate last night. (I get this quite often)
Looked pale, sick feeling and headache (on top of the chronic upset stomach through the night - which i didn't regale them with 😅). It was so interesting that their first thought was that I was hungover. I thought that might be the case and said it's not even a hangover! Lots of lighthearted "yeah, yeah" . Until I said i don't even drink! Dh backed me up. It was all done very lightly but funny that that was their presumption and how easily I just said "I don't drink"

Wow!! I don't drink!! How cool is that?!

Ha, it must have felt nice to say that @Breathmiller! I sometimes find myself saying “I don’t drink anymore” and still can’t quite believe it myself😂

Yes breathmiller, that's a lovely moment. I am here on a Sunday morning in bed drinking a green smoothie with my little boy asleep next to me, I've a candle lit and I am writing in my journal. I would NOT be doing this if I'd even had one glass of wine. So many mornings I think 'this is it, this is why I quit'. Pure peace of mind. Calm.

Totally relate to the lovely morning moments which just wouldn't happen if I'd had a drink . Can think of so many!

Anyway, just to say, if I'm a bit quiet on this thread, it doesn't mean I've fallen off the wagon ! Still very happy with my decision to stop drinking and thank you for the support on here. But I probably won't be on here so much from now on.

On the subject of the thread title, I liked the idea someone mentioned above about it being positive. Something about what we gain rather than what we give up. Freedom to rather than freedom from. Or maybe it's both. Freedom from alcohol and freedom to open up to all the wonderful possibilities and space that gives. But something catchier.

Evening all! Well, it’s happened, it’s been a whole year since I quit drinking booze😱🤩😍

I feel so, so good. I am honestly a different person now to who I was a year ago. A bit like how I used to be before I drank too much, but better (and wiser, and more compassionate)😅

The benefits of living an alcohol free life just keep on coming. Some were apparent immediately, others took longer to manifest. What I’ve noticed lately is how I don’t hate myself anymore (or feel shame or embarrassment about who I was when I drank). Don’t get me wrong, I take full responsibility for my actions (some of which were pretty bad...) but I don’t loathe myself anymore for them. I accept they are part of my past and that’s okay.

I still struggle sometimes and have bad days like anyone else, but I have so many good days now, and so many moments of joy.

Usually on milestones I like to treat myself to nice gifts😅, but today I treated myself to the gift of time. Time for a run in the morning before work, and quality time with the children in the sun. Tonight, I’m going for a swim.

I cannot express my gratitude and admiration for all the people on this thread enough. You were always there, listening, supporting, advising. I am so grateful, especially to @Drybird2020 for starting these threads.

Thank you all and have a lovely evening☺️

@BunniesBunniesBunnies Congratulations!!! A brilliant achievement.

Yay!!! I did remember this morning bunnies and thought of you.

Congratulations!! Such a great achievement and I love what yoy have to say.

You have been an inspiration and great support to everyone on this thread.

Enjoy the space and time.

Congratulations, @BunniesBunniesBunnies! What a year it has been. Its been wonderful to witness your metamorphosis and the renewed joy you take in life, and you've been a real stalwart on these threads, giving so much encouragement to me and others! Happy 1st Birthday 🎂🍰🧁☕🫖🧋🧃🍦🎉

Thanks so much guys couldn’t have done it without you😊