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?

Checking in on Day 2. I had trouble getting to sleep last night but not in a horrid way - just didn't zonk out like I do after a few drinks. Then had a rude awakening by DS needing to go to sport training when I had snoozed on through. Anyway was great - got out of bed, dressed and in car in 5 mins, went for nice walk with a coffee while he was doing his thing. Now back home and enjoying not having headache/ feeling tired etc.

Its good that we started on a Friday - Fridays have often been my downfall in past attempts. But will need to be careful next Friday as I know that the 6 days in - feeling a bit virtuous moment, is often a tripping point.

@MyGhastIsFlabbered - your list is spot on.

Had an awful sleep. Only a fitful 4 hours.....just been out for a run whilst it was snowing heavy and it invigorated me.....I am hoping I will pass out by just being knackered tonight.....

Thanks @NorthernLights77 I’m a bit shit at jigsaws, I like the idea of them but when it comes to trying to fit 500 pieces of same coloured sky together I tend to get frustrated I’m going to pick up my needles and yarn in a minute.

I like your list @MyGhastIsFlabbered and want to add:

• be more engaged and productive at work

I didn’t sleep too well last night but then there is a lot else going on, dh was made redundant before Christmas, kids may not go back to school (I’m sure many are facing similar) which I’d usually use as an excuse to drink, so I’m feeling pretty proud of myself that I don’t actually want to.

I have however bought some alcohol free spirits (some martini thing, orange, think it’s supposed to be like aperol) to make a cocktail tonight as I know Saturday is a twitchy night for me!

Checking for day 2. Had a good night’s sleep and I liked waking up without a hangover. Been a bit active today. Took the dog for a long walk. Got the Christmas decorations down and boxed away. Need to keep busy.

Hey all.

Checking in for day 2. I managed to watch the football last night without breaking into the cider stash so I'm very proud of me.

Took the kids out early for a walk in the frost and just done day 1 of 30 day shred. Hope I can keep up this pace. I feel good!

To the pp who mentioned school worries. Im with you on that. Waiting to hear if they will go in or not. I also would usually use it as an excuse to drink. Its so easy to find reasons isn't it 😒

Hi everyone! I'm joining in. I did six months sober in 2019-2020 but lockdown got to me. Did sober October but have definitely over indulged for most of December. The last two weeks my sleep has been awful, I feel sluggish and heavy (am two stone overweight) and am doing Dry January but am not telling anyone really. I am also participating in Red and a Reset with a new exercise group I've joined.

Day 1 yesterday was fine. We are having a takeaway curry tonight but am not tempted to drink.

My main reasons are:

1. Better mental health
2. Improved sleep
3. Weight loss
4. Getting myself healthier overall in preparation for the menopause.

I feel better today after a sober night. Going to write a list of reasons to do this.

Feeling good today, day 2. Managed a workout and healthy meals. No alcohol. We can do this! Well done everyone

Hello, I'd love to join you! It will be the weekends that I struggle with but not being able to go out to the pub at the moment should help no end. Hope it's going well for you all so far.

I think I'm ok because the days are all jumbled.

It'll be harder back at work next week. I am not a big drinker but.... I use alcohol to console myself after a bad day, wind down after a stressful one or reward myself at the end of the week. It's this cycle I need to break. It all adds up. The thought of no alcohol forever makes me feel... scared I think? Am I alcohol dependent? Maybe.

I treated myself earlier to a bottle of Sainsbury's raspberry and pomegranate juice. It's chilling and I have ice cubes ready. I know it won't be the same but I am planning to do as a PP suggested and serve in a nice big gin glass with sliced lime to make it feel special.

Sorry for the self indulgent ramble but it's useful to think out loud

@BinkerTell your list is exactly the same as mine

Just about to cook tea and stopped myself pouring a 🍷 I was on autopilot and thought 'ooh what shall I have?' i always have a drink when cooking at the weekend.

Off to pour a diet coke 👍 I can do this 😬😉

You can def do this! Just poured a glass of non alcoholic wine. Tastes more like apple juice but nice to have my usual Sat eve wine glass to hand.

@NearWildHeaven I like the rambling, it’s what I come here to read and write it’s useful to know that we’re all having similar thoughts!

Shows where my brain is at. Just read a name above as whiskypete apologies whiskerspete!

Have bought fizzy and got busy. Told dh and we both looked sensible for a moment - he isn’t joining in but I have told him not to buy spirits. Don’t like beer or his wines so am safe from those.

Who can relate to this? Feeling a bit apprehensive about an alcohol free Saturday night but am looking forward to sleeping properly and not waking up feeling like shit.

[quote VivaDixie]@MintyCedric we have all been there!

I would like to just enjoy a glass of wine every now and again, to go out for a meal (post covid) and not feel that I have to down a bottle or more. But to achieve that I have to break the cycle. So dry Jan it is. Although mine ends a couple of days early due to my birthday but hopefully by then I can enjoy a couple of glasses and not down a bottle![/quote]
What day is your birthday, Viva? Mine is 29th. Not sure yet whether I'll end DJ then (as will have 4 weeks under belt) or carry on to complete DJ. Doesn't help that it's on a Friday!

Haha ghast I absolutely relate to that diagram!

I’m struggling much more today as I haven’t really done much. I’d usually be looking forward to starting to drink after being bored in the day.

What no one else is cleaning out the eves of their house for entertainment? You might think the rest of y house is clean and tidy - nope but now there is room to move stuff to the eves. Maybe by the time I am organised I will be through the worst?

@TSBelliot we're planning on tackling one room at a time...we just need to decide where to start!

@TeaRose29 mine is 29th too! We are twinnies . DH is cooking me a meal that evening (total bummer it is a Friday!) So will make sure we only share one bottle, so 2-3 glasses. As you say it is 4 weeks away. The next night I am having a zoom with friends so I intend to drink my 0.5% Low Alcohol Fizz and then try and push on through to Valentine's Day.

If I can get into the habit of a couple of glasses for a special occasion or a meal our then that is a major improvement on my usual

@SantaMonicaPier

You can def do this! Just poured a glass of non alcoholic wine. Tastes more like apple juice but nice to have my usual Sat eve wine glass to hand.

I have pushed past it! Now all I fancy is a cup of tea

@VivaDixie - they are very good reasons!

My husband is happily drinking a Corona. I am just on water...it's rock 'n' roll here at BinkerTellTowers tonight.

I went to Tesco and bought tons of drinks yesterday: tomato juice, orange squash, orange juice, herbal teas, no alcohol beer and cider. It’s really nice having a choice of what to drink rather than it just being water (which will make me want wine more).

My crunch point is when I’m cooking dinner. I really enjoy time in the kitchen listening to a podcast, cooking with a glass of wine - I get such pleasure from it that I don’t think I want to quit booze permanently but I definitely want to prove to myself I can have a month off.

Day 1 here for me!
It’s hard to shut the little monster in my head up, that says I’m not going to do a whole 30 days so may as well just go get some wine.

Got to find a distraction I think. Maybe I’ll take the Christmas tree down.

Well myghast after this I think don’t pick the eves!

One day at a time, tonight then tomorrow whatsetshortfor