Hello 👋🏼 Everyone!
This thread was started in May 1st and today is June 1st, a full month later.
How did everyone do?
I managed the full 31days AF and feeling okay. I will say that I did count every single day that passed. Every day seems to be a little bit too much of the same and I realized that I do drink out of boredom. Once this observation hit me, (around day 15 when I was VERY tempted to buy a bottle of wine), I've made a point of doing something, anything to take my mind off of drinking/not drinking. I've done necessary jobs in my house I have been putting off, I've walked loads, I bought a jump rope and find myself going to the garage for five minutes every couple of hours to jump and truly exhausted myself, went bowling, another day went to a big family golf driving range and tried to hit the ball, and went to the beach. I was busier this month than I've been in a while. That was a plus.
One thing this month off has done for me is that I did notice is how alcohol is everywhere. It was available at the bowling alley, the golf range, obviously at the beach, and it was interesting that I hadn't previously paid attention that my local grocery store devotes a very large space for beers and wine. I live in the US and in a state where liquor is not sold in the grocery stores. I couldn't imagine just how big the space would be if it could. I went out to dinner and the first thing the waitress asked was whether I'd like a margarita on the rocks or frozen with my Mexican meal "to start you off". I asked for water and she wasn't too thrilled. I suppose it's because alcohol does generate a higher bill and a bigger tip. Interestingly, she didn't automatically refill my water (its part of the service and I had to ask) but happily came to the neighboring table three times to ask if they wanted a refill for their beers. Sigh.
I am planning to continue this experiment for another month. Wish me luck! However, I'm having a cookout later today and that may be a little challenging for me. It's very hot where I live and having a cookout is usually when I break out the beers and ciders to cool down, the wine to accompany the burgers or the fruity drinks like piña coladas to enjoy with the music while the food is being cooked. Let's see how I do today.
I can't wait to hear your stories!