Hop on up it's Dry January thread #2

[MyGhastIsFlabbered]

Shiny new thread to carry us onward through January

Checking in on my day 22. I haven't been on for a few days as my Dad rested positive and it threw me, too many catastrophic thoughts. Am keeping on though, which is extraordinary, before this there is just no way I wouldn't have drunk my way through the anxiety. I'm not up for 100 days yet but I am up for moderating drastically. Hope we might be able to accommodate both on one thread as I feel fond of you all!

[quote FoxandFeathers]@TeaRose29 I ordered the exact same one, for the same reason and have been chasing them as it says it isn’t even dispatched yet. They said it is delayed due to. Brexit! I’m glad you got yours as was worrying they had gone bust.
Will distract me from the scales not budging despite my 11k calories I have saved according to the app![/quote]
I hope yours has arrived now, @FoxandFeathers. That is very odd, because I ordered mine last Sunday and it arrived on Wednesday!

Anyway, the good news is that I did my manicure on Wednesday and it is still immaculate .

Ohio, that gave me a chuckle, the idea of us dry January-ers all trotting round with tiny glowing heads

I think I'm in the same place as you @TSBelliot - not ready to go completely AF but vastly reduced. (Within the 14 units and some weeks completely off). I think tracking and accountability will be key so would welcome a moderators thread.

@OhioOhioOhio do you think the moderators group saying 'oh I had my allocated two glasses yesterday' might be triggering / difficult for those doing 100 days or longer? I've enjoyed everyone's updates and definitely feel they help me, but would hate to undermine others' efforts. Especially as it's no easy thing to go AF.

I'm still plugging away. I feel absolutely no different, haven't lost a pound, have not much energy. The only thing I'm enjoying is snuggling into bed in the evening without palpitations or feeling a bit swimmy. That's lovely.

sorry to hear about your dad @ mrsnibbles, well done though for not drinking under the circumstances- i too would have sought a drink when anxious. Hope he is doing ok?

I think i have a tiny head as well, but not glowing like rudolphs nose which is it usually due to treatment, but i am saying it is down to the lack of drink!

Got through friday without thinking about drink which is new for me. Slight cravings now but nothing major. Am out tomorrow for lunch with friends which will be bit of a challenge and they dont know i am not drinking yet. I am not going to throw away all this work though.

No weight lose either despite being on slimming world. will carry on trying though and hope for some loss.

I too would welcome a moderation thread. Would like to try and extend the dry spell but not sure i am ready to go to 100 days. Hope it is not too triggering for those continuing. We can see how we get on i suppose. These posts and thread have been a lifeline so thank you ghast and all the lovely posters.

Hi all xx I actually think the moderator thread will be good. It might even act as a sort of dress rehearsal for when we are let loose again in to the wide world of socialising! For those of us who are extending our AF journey it might do us good to be among one's who enjoying a couple of glasses. Part of learning to moderate is to manage the triggers surely.

I’d be on for a moderator thread as I’m already counting down the days till Feb!

Fully on for sticking to under 21 units a week.

Personally I think saying 'I had 2 glasses of xxx' is fine and won't trigger me. But coming on saying 'I had some xxx and it was bloody amazing' would be harder. Or people saying 'I'm really looking forward to my xxx' tonight.

I don't want to have to implement any rules, but ask that a bit of sensitivity is used both ways? And still no judgement on whatever people decide to drink or not to.

But if anyone drinks alcohol and then feels like shit - again no judgement and a bit of tact and sympathy works better than a holier than thou attitude (not that I've seen any of that on here!)
Though sharing if you do feel like shit may help another poster who's possibly wavering?

@MyGhastIsFlabbered I think that's it, a bit of sensitivity both ways sounds perfect.

Thank you @Humphriescushion - he's okay so far, very feverish but no cough which is good news. You can't help worrying at 78 though, and I'm devastated that he got it after being so very careful and days away from the vaccine. Hey ho.

Hi,

Can I join? I’ve been on the Dry Harder thread in chat.
I’m really pleased to have made it to 23 days, and even finally seeing some weight loss this weekend on the scale.
But must admit I’ve struggled yest and today to not have wine.
Think I’m bored and craving it mentally.

I’m hoping to carry on into Feb and beyond. I like the idea of only drinking socially and not at home any more.

Hi all - day 23 and still AF! Have been a bit busy so not been on here much but still committed - hope you're all ok. I'll go and catch up on the thread now x

I think the 100 dayers and the moderators could live in harmony. Everyone has been really kind so far. I'm opting for the 100 days because I'm transitioning from being traumatised by my divorce into a new chapter where I've begun again. I want the 100 days of zero alcohol to help remind me of this. Also. I don't think I look younger yet but I think I look my age rather than older.

Oh that's good then re all co-existing in one thread. Because hearing completely dry stories will help me get there too eventually I think.

And I echo comments about how supportive and honest everyone has been on here, it's been an enormous help.

Yeah this thread has stopped me boring real-life people with my woes of Dry January.

Welcome @ ladywine well done on the weight lose and day 23. I am struggling with the weight despite trying but going to stick with it - any day now a slim, healthy cleared skinned person is going to pop out!

Welcome ladywinesalot

This is a great place to work it all out.

Hello ladywinesalot and here is another voice hoping your dad is ok mrsnibblesisahero.

Have to admit I am also counting the days down Moonbaby1... time is going slowly this month and I don’t know if that is because I have been so busy with work or because I am not drinking!

And yes Boozynamechane - moderation is hopefully the way ahead. I am going to aim for 14 units and to actually count glasses of spirits not numbers of bottles.

I like the concept of co-existence with care. Whilst there are quite a few different expressions of our reasons, feelings and attitudes to alcohol that common ground of Needing to have less of it in our lives gives us a big bit of common ground.

Today was supposed to be our day off as it's mine and DP's anniversary. But look:

Mrs nibbles I hope that your Dad is okay too.

Happy Anniversary op. Did you feel like you missed out with the dry wine?

Wow that is commitment - hope you have a nice evening.

Thank you for the good wishes for my lovely DF.
Amazing stuff @MyGhastIsFlabbered - very impressed!
I agree by the way that for moderators the 100 day stories will be inspiration for longer and longer periods if that's the goal. And totally agree regarding the common ground.
I'm so glad I joined the thread. A hugely unexpected sense of community.

mrsnibble it's a really kind thread.

I definitely couldn't have got to this point without this thread! It's helped me with accountability and it's been interesting to hear about the nature of other peoples relationship with booze, so much of it is familiar to me