Mindfulness, Moderating and Not Texting In The Kitchen !

[Amdone123]

Morning all..hope you're all ok. Well I had busy weekend. I didn't quite stick to my plans : I drank Friday evening ( didn't eat), and drank last night, too. I don't feel great today but I am looking forward to having a break. I know I want to get back to being af and all its benefits.
I was thinking that I am able to stay in and not drink. My next step will be going out and not going mad !

@DirtyDancing, I too was at the gym early this morning- part of my resolution after my holiday to get back on track.
I am aiming to get back to running 5k and start doing park runs...

@Mj20- fab idea of small bottles of wine- I too think of the price, but as 2 is my aim this should be perfect...although I worry I would be slipping back for the other half , and that would mortify me!!
@Amdone123enjoy your weekend safe in the knowledge you know how to get back on it.
Bhols are so hard, especially if it’s sunny- good luck all and enjoy!

Just checking in. Had some Prosecco and red wine last night but only a glass of each, too shattered from work. Finishing it today then nothing until next Friday.

Sounds like everyone’s really well. So my and hubby have another unexpected night alone so he’s cooking and I’m going to have a glass of wine. New plan is just to enjoy the B/H weekend but I’m planning on not opening anything once the wine in the fridge is gone!!! Then I’ll be back to AF! But I’m
Pleased that I’m not going crazy when I am drinking xx

@Mj20

Sounds like everyone’s really well. So my and hubby have another unexpected night alone so he’s cooking and I’m going to have a glass of wine. New plan is just to enjoy the B/H weekend but I’m planning on not opening anything once the wine in the fridge is gone!!! Then I’ll be back to AF! But I’m Pleased that I’m not going crazy when I am drinking xx

Sounds sensible.

My plan is nothing during the week anymore, despite my days off being in the middle. Then I can look forward to a few glasses Friday and Saturday and not feel guilty.

@hashbrownsandwich very sensible I’d say! And I think the word guilt free is so important because earlier I was feeling a little guilty that I was going to drink when I’d said I wasn’t but then as long as it’s moderate… I think it’s all good! Xxx

@Buntyforgirls great plan to get running. Will give you something to aim for, keep busy. Also feel less inclined to drink if I have done some exercise, as am tired and it just makes me feel really tired. I might dig our my running shoes at somepoint soon

Morning all! I am happy that I got back to af with ease yesterday, and slept much better too.
One of my new habits - since yesterday!, will be to drink a herbal bedtime drink about 8 pm to signal the end of any drinking time- a bit like the bell at the end of the bar- time, gentlemen please!
Enjoy the day- at least the weather will prevent any feelings of sitting in pub gardens!

Morning, afternoon all ! Just a quick message as still away. I've quickly read your posts - everyone sounds like they're doing great. Very positive.
Well the party yesterday was great. I had 1 bottle of wine, half a bottle of gin and about 5 cigarettes. Obviously that's quite a lot but before I would have had 2 x wine and possibly more. I'm hungover today but I've just had a nap so feel OK really.
I won't drink now til Saturday and then my social diary is closed til Xmas.

Hello all. Haven't posted much lately as had a lot on. Can't claim to be AF but am doing better. It's my birthday today and I feel fine, went to the gym, watched a film, had a nice dinner/gifts with family. Compared to last year when I went out the night before, couldn't remember the end of the night, couldn't remember if I paid the taxi driver or put a mask on, and spent my birthday in agonising anxiety.

This way is so much better. Thank you all so much for helping! Sorry, feeling a bit soft!

@youboozeyoulose, happy belated birthday wishes. Sounds like you had a nice day. You're not soft, you're just reflecting. It's a hard thing to do I think - but it's better It's better out than in.
I suffered yesterday. I had a nap then felt a little better but when I got home, there I was again back in bed - feeling bad. We did have a good time, and everyone said I was the life n soul - what else - but it wasn't worth it. Simple. I'm fine today hangover wise, but I don't want that feeling again. 5 days af now then Saturday ( theatre, meal, club), and I just can't wait for it to be over with.
Have a great Bank Holiday everyone. I'm catching up with housework - oohhh !!

Happy bank holiday all and happy birthday for yesterday @youboozeyoulose!! It is crazy when you can compare two moments in life and see how clearly they contrast! Well done you! Also well done for having an A/F bday! I really want t try some celebrations completely sober just to break the habit that I drink to celebrate!
@Amdone123 glad your doing ok today!!!! Again look at how far you’ve come! The hangovers are horrible and the exact reason most of us want to be A/F but it’s going to take some trial and error for us all!!!

So after my 18 days off I’ve drank a bottle and half over thur/fri/sat! It felt quite indulgent at the time but I was really mindful and limited myself/drank lots of water/was mindful! So I’m pleased with that. Day 2 of another A/f stint! Not sure when I’ll drink again but just going to have another reset!

Hope everyone is doing well xxx

@Mj20, that's great. 1.5 over 3 days. I am so looking forward to being able to say I'm on Day Double Figures !
I have made massive strides and I am pleased. This is just where the perfectionist comes into play ! Interesting what you say about celebrating without drinking. It's so embedded in our culture. Anything to celebrate- from it being Friday to being promoted - we find an excuse ! I'd love to go out and not drink. I'm trying to think if I've ever done it ( like a club or party), but I don't think I have. 🤔

I just remembered! I was doing the 30 day alcohol experiment and was determined. My dsis was having a house party as my niece was off backpacking and I took some bees knees that I'd found in home bargains. I think we left about 10pm ish and came home and drank hot chocolate in bed. So I can do it. It didn't kill me!

Have decided to try and go drink free for September. Will give it my best shot. If anyone would like to join me let me know. Likewise if anyone would like to connect on SM for morale support, send me a PM x

I wish I could drink I feel so depressed but I have a 9 month old and am a single parent

I had a Sherry size glass of red wine and stopped in favour of saving my sleep- mindful moderation in action-woop!

@youboozeyoulose I'm in. I'm on day 11 a/f. I don't remember the last time I have been over a week without any drink. I literally don't think I have been in my adult years.

I need the focus of dry September because I need a bit of an 'excuse' I'm avoiding meeting anyone at all because I know if I pop a cork I'll finish the bottle. And the next one. It'll help if I can casually say I over indulged during the summer so doing dry month.

Well don't to everyone for the moderation and restraint. Will power is strong in the group!!

Well done that should say! Sorry typo

Does anyone struggle to sleep when not drinking and if so have you found anything that helps??

Morning all ! Feeling great this morning. I'm back to bouncing out of bed. Hope you all had a good bh. I had the opportunity to go out and do that typical British thing of sitting in a pub because it's Bank Holiday, but I politely declined. I just did not want to. I also had a flashback to the last time I went out on a bh. I knew my granddaughter was staying that night, got drunk ( easily more than 2 bottles), and was a disgrace. Also, I still felt tired from weekend. So, a good Monday for me. Had a rest, but most importantly, played with the little one. @youboozeyoulose, I think you're a mind reader. Was sat here this morning thinking roll.on sober October so I can give it my best shot then thought, it's daft waiting - start now. The only problem is the event this Saturday. I could try to not drink but it would be tricky. I've never gone out dancing without a drink. Mind you, my dsis sent me a video clip of me dancing Saturday. Jesus wept. @Buntyforgirls, well done for your restraint. Bet you're glad this morning. @DirtyDancing, Day 11 well 12 now, well done. This is what I want. A clear, clean run. @FatJan, sorry to hear you're not sleeping. I have heard people say this. On the Dry January thread, so many people were struggling to sleep. Some were really fed up. I can't help I'm afraid as my sleep improves massively, but someone will be along with advice. I should think it's part of the detoxing process?
Have a good day everyone. 😊

I’m in for sober September, give or take a few dates.
But I am committed to moderation, and making good, healthy choices for ever.
Sleep wise- I have had 3 very good nights after drinking a whittards sleepy tea before bed. Coincidence? ...
This week will be a challenge as it’s back to work/ new term/ here we go again...

@Buntyforgirls, that's great that you're committed to a change forever. I don't think I'll go back to how I was. Last week I had 2 full days off and spent them sober. It never occurred to me to go for wine when before it would have been a given. I've also given up before then gone back to 'normal' - that seems silly now, too.
I'm thinking that for my Saturday event if I stuck to lager, that would be an improvement and a step in the right direction, so I can definitely do September without wine.

Morning all - happy 1st September ( can't believe we're in September!)
Well, relatively busy day today -housework, work, Zumba. All pretty mundane but am happy to be starting my af run.
So, Day 1 and the benefits await !

Morning. I am also looking forward to going AF and seeing what benefits it brings. I'm not well at the moment so I don't feel like drinking anyway. Hopefully that will make day one easier.