Anyone doing Dry January 2021?

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

I was going to go sober this year...but for various reasons (excuses) it didn't happen. DP and I have agreed to try Dry January as we are both drinking too much. Anyone else fancy coming along for the ride?

@TessApricot honestly you don't have to leave. There's no judgement here at all - no-one will think any less of you for having a glass of wine. Our journeys are all personal to us - nobody can walk in your shoes. If and when you want to hop back on the wagon we'll be here

@CandyLeBonBon would you accept an AF virtual hug from an internet thread buddy? That sounds really tough and I hope you find some support somewhere - even if it's only on here.

Really really fancied a glass of red wine whilst cooking dinner tonight! Chose a big piece of chocolate after I'd eaten instead!

@CandyLeBonBon you sound amazing... I have two teens, 15 & 17, and can really relate to the eyore remark. I have a partner though and, although it sometimes feels like I’m parenting 3, I wouldn’t want to do it alone.
It won’t always feel like this...

Fwiw, I have to admit to having caved in to a small glass of white, and will probably have one more. Im not a moderator though, so we’ll see...

Well done to all of you who have found something better to do with your time tonight. You’ll be proud tomorrow.

Thank you @MyGhastIsFlabbered - I'm getting my chap to bring some nosecco over when he comes courting this evening! I would normally drown myself in a vat if the stuff when things get tough and overwhelming and it felt really uncomfortable for about 10 minutes but I ended up emailing DD's pastoral manager about these girls and the feeling passed. I've never done that before. I've always just caved in to the easy option and given in to wine. For some reason it feels important to deal with these feelings without alcohol. I'm sorry if I'm thread-hogging. I'm finding it really useful to write things down as I go. Hope that's ok?

Also @TessApricot - what @MyGhastIsFlabbered said is spot on - your journey is yours, please don't feel you have to leave

Yeah Friday night definitely feels odd without wine.

@CandyLeBonBon honestly don't worry about hogging the thread. Write down as little or as much as you feel you need to

@Ifeelmuchlessfat I think the key to all this is ownership really. It's ok to make a choice as long as you own that decision and your reasons why

@Ifeelmuchlessfat it's absolutely not a problem to have a glass of wine. I just know for me personally I couldn't stop until I'd downed a bottle.

But those determined to stay AF tonight/this weekend. We can do it! And we'll still be here if anyone slips up without any Pearl clutching or hoiking of judgy pants

This is not bad
www.ocado.com/products/mcguigan-delight-moscato-de-alcoholised-wine-442004011
I sometimes start with a glass of it and decide after that if I really want a glass of wine.
Outside DJ it's about 50:50

We're on the Schloer but DP is on red and I'm on white so it looks familiar!

(I promise it's Schloer)

Both DP and I have separately said we might forgo anniversary alcohol and see the whole month out. We shall see

Everyone doing really well with the challenges of daily life too.
As all the days feel the same to me, and not in a good way, I haven’t felt the Friday feeling so Day 8 done.
I normally drink every day anyway so its not like the weekend is a tempting treat. Just more of the same.

@CandyLeBonBon I feel for you with the DD and toxic friendships - is she your 15yo?

My DD was the same age at first lockdown which occurred right off the back of some major friendships issues and it was bloody awful...have some at least!

Day 4...hanging in there. Light ginger ale with dinner tonight which wasn't anything exciting anyway. If I cook something nice I always feel more inclined to wash it down with wine.

I'm making a steak pie with roasted veg on Sunday and have ordered alcohol free Merlot in an attempt to stay on the wagon.

I have found tonight really hard. I made it though (just) going to have a sleep tea then go to bed early. I'll be pleased with myself tomorrow morning, but right now I feel a bit crap

I feel ok.

I've promised to buy a bottle of red for dd1 and 2 tomorrow night (they are 21 and 18) so that will be a test as red wine is my weakness...

Day 8 done here, I nearly caved after an awful afternoon with work but as op said, days all feel the same so there is definitely less of a Friday feeling.

Well done everyone, I might need to investigate AF drinks next week, getting bored of tea!

DH came home from shopping with a bottle of my favourite red earlier (he doesn’t drink).

It’s still there. I thought about it briefly, then made myself a decaf coffee instead. Now I’ve come up to bed and I’m glad I didn’t drink.

So I had one glass of rosé (delightful) waiting for my Indian to arrive, then had an alcohol free pear cider with my curry. I am pleased I was moderate and I enjoyed it. The key is for me to stay moderate....

Imagine how good you will feel waking up sat/sun morning knowing you didn't drink the night before and feeling totally refreshed. That feeling is so much better than the tipsy feeling

Newly arrived here and all good so far. I generally only drink one night a week but, as others have said, once the bottle's open I keep going till it's gone. The secret is not to open it. That's why I don't buy screw tops. Too easy.

PS. I did dry January last year and got really tipsy on half a bottle on Feb 1st. Still drank the rest though. Lesson learned

In my quest for an AF alternative, I have bought Elsberg Savingnon Blanc and 0% Heineken Someone else had rated it and even though I dont drink beer, I thought I'd give it a go.
The Elsberg just tastes like weak grape juice, but the beer is really good. I may get a lime tomorrow to give it more of a kick!
Any other AF recommendations??

Day 8 for me today has been the toughest day yet... I think the weekend will be hard but so determined to make it

Embarrassed to say 8 days is the longest I haven’t had a drink for far to long

Nosecco is nice if you like Prosecco it’s almost like a fizzier shloer

I think I'd have caved if it wasn't for this thread. Feels good doing it together.