The Best Things About Being Alcohol-Free

[Perriwinkles]

I thought a thread to remind us of what’s great about being AF might help motivate us. I’m only on Day 6 here but I already feel better! Let’s aim for 100 things (if there are more, even better); so if you’re replying, go from the next number on to the previous post.

I’ll get us started:

1. Clear-headed mornings.
2. Bright eyes
3. Remembering conversations from the night before.
4. Being able to consume calories from yummy food instead of alcohol.
5. Being able to drive anywhere at anytime.
6. Losing weight.
7. Less stomach discomfort.

(The next post can start from number 8. Let’s create an amazing, motivating list to remind us why we’re ditching the booze!). X

❤️

40. Thinking about the other elements of occasions (besides booze) to look forward to: the people, the food, the ambience, the time off work, the comfort & the connection.

41. The huge money saving

42. Waking up and enjoying time with the kids rather than battling though it with a hangover

43. my own breath not repulsing me first thing/in the middle of the night. How grim is the smell of stale wine on a furry tongue?

44. Not needing to get up for water in middle of night

45. Not having bad stomach in morning

46. (Sorry if it repeats?) Better quality of sleep & better sleep “architecture”

@Perriwinkles this thread is EPIC!
47. No more shame in putting the recycling out

48. My teen DD telling me 'I can't even remember what it's like to see you drinking, mum' (it's almost a year 😊)

49. Finding enjoyable hobbies to spend your time on.

50. Reading ‘quit-lit’ books and feeling a growing euphoria at knowing freedom from alcohol awaits.

51. Not sure how to phrase this one: attracting more healthy people, as being sober helps us reflect on core beliefs and values. I no longer have drinking partners.

52. Gaining back SO MUCH TIME to do meaningful things like read a book or learn a new language

53. Looking after my night time skin and teeth routine properly instead of plonking into bed.

54. Telling a friend I won’t be drinking at a certain event or night out and realising it’s no big deal to them.

55. Feeling ALL the feelings, good and bad and learning this means being fully alive.

56. No more shame.

57. Better sensory experiences leading to more sensual experiences. No dull senses because of hangover fog or alcohol blurs

58. Not having to text your friends the next morning to apologise for being a drunken twit.

59. No more cleaning vomit from down the side of the sink and toilet praying your husband hasn't noticed it.

60. No more running the shower so you can throw up quietly

I really need to read this thread every day, thank you

61. Feeling my feelings (as they are meant to be felt) instead of self-medicating them with alcohol.

(sorry I’m kind of repeating number 55. I’ll change it)

61. Allowing myself to feel disappointed, stressed or sad and realising it will pass and I will be OK without a drink.

62. Releasing the guilt of drinking.

I love this thread. It will be an inspiration to many!!

62. having self respect

63. no more trying to avoid the coop lady who served me booze the last three nights and also works at the DC's school

64. feeling like superwoman - if I can quit booze I can do anything.

65. giving the finger to big corporates focused solely on profit making, at the expense of the physical and mental health of women.

66. Just now, calculating that as of today, and at a conservative estimate, I have saved £5000 from being spent on alcohol. I can buy beautiful things, and wonderful experiences without worrying about money each month now.

67. Not telling people things when I’m drunk that I regret having told them when I’m sober.

68. Friday nights no longer equalling wine. Suddenly the various possibilities for Friday nights have opened right up!

69. Being sober enough to enjoy deep warm baths and inhale the wonderfully soothing oils while reading a good paperback